The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-02-14
TIE EMERSON SOCIETY.

Nothing stands isolated and cut away
from all the activities and influences OF
external agencies and yet remains suffi-
cient in itself to accomplish worthy
end. The ocean steamship lying in the
wharf cold and motionless has within it
| great possibilities, but not until the ex-
pansive power of steam, itself again de-
| pendent on the active agency OF heat,
| quickens latent energies into life and the
| throbbing engine sends the great wheels
on their tireless rounds, does the mighty
| craft show its power. The acorn hid in
| the darkness of the earth covered with a
| carpet of virgin wilderness has within
itself possibilities that would make
forest giant to live through and laugh at
the storms of centuries, but not until the
potent influence of the sun causes natures
tears to kiss the warmed earth can the
future king of the sylvan grove be wooed
from the bosom of nature. AS 1t is IN
the physical world so it is in the realm of
spiritual existence. The child lying IN
conscious in its cradle has in it possibli-
ties that may "stir the laughter or the
rage of millions" but not until the deft
hand OF nature and the gentle influence
of the living instructor come to the rescue
are the latent powers aroused into living,
expanding thought searching for laws
governing matter, intellect, and morality.
But matter unfolds, ripens, sheds its
fruit and then dies bequeathing the same
elements with their possibilities neither
impaired nor increased, to the succeed
ing generation of plant and rock; while
in the region of mind the blossom is ever
more beautiful and fragrant, the fruit
richer and more palatable, the whole in
heritance greater in mass and in intrinsic
value making the spiritual possibilities
OF man seem well nigh infinite in their
range and power. Why then should we
not avail ourselves of all that is possible
of the best thought, the sublimest emo
tons and the clearest reasoning to be
found on the social and ethical problems
that confront human life? Man alone is
to blame if "history with all her volumes
vast has but one page Yet the words
of the poet are delusive, for man is ever
capable of prying deeper into the mys-
teries of nature, and if he is faithful in
his activities he will be rewarded with
solvents for the complex problems of
life.
Actuated then by the notion that what
ever may be the m srits of content or even
ordinary activity it is not alone sufficient |
for those who wish to think, a few gentle |
men of this city have recently organized |
society to be known as the Emerson |
Society the purpose of whose members !
shall be to personally study the ethical |
and social problems of life and to occa-
sionally present to Nanitowoc audiences
lecturers foremost among men of adj |
vanced thought. The society is in no |
way exclusive in its nature but is open |
to all who believe that essential free
dom is right to differ" Its more i'm
mediate aims and purposes will be made |
manifest on some future occasion when |
the organization expects to meet large |
number of friends in its society rooms.
Under the auspices of the society
lecture, by DR.. Thomas, on "The Relig- |
ious Tendencies OF the Age" will be de-
livered in this city March Is. The name
of DR.. Thomas is in itself sufficient |
guarantee that the lecture will be Of a
crowded house. The terms will be IN
usually reasonable and will be published
in few days. ~