The Tupelo journal., 1903-07-10
THE EMERSON CULT.
Extravaganza of ExpressfOn Int
Which Some Admirers of the
Philosopher Have Been Led.

There is, of course, nothing the
matter with Emerson, for next to
Lincoln and Franklin he is probably
the most original man that this
country has produced. But there
does seem to be some trouble with
those who have recently %endeavored
to exalt him into a prophet or even a
Messiah. At any rate, the Rev. Will
liam H. Van Allen, of the Church of
the Advent, in Boston, has seen fit
to- protest in a ermo against some
of the extravagances of the Emerson
id%olaters. He tells us that the ques-
ton is whether men will have Jesus
to reign over them as their king or
Emerson as their oracle And he is
right, declares the Indianapolis News.
OF course, he does not for a moment
challenge Emcrson's title to great
ness, or at all quarrel with those who
recognize in him a very great man
and a valuable spiritual influence.
But it is the misfortune of many
people that they are not able to take
simple and sober views of great ques-
tions.
Mr.. Van Allen calls attention to
the fact that one of the speakers on
Emerson's hundredth birthday spoke
of the celebration of that day as "a
special sacrament" and declares that
the "quasi-religious character of the
celebration is unmistakable." These
extremists have been praising not
Emerson the poet. the teacher, or
the citizen, but Emerson the religion
list. He was spoken of by n distin-
guished senator as "the sweetest of
evangelists."
Another of the elect told us that
Emerson gave us the programme
for our religion for a thousand
years" He gave us no programme
Mt all. What he did give us-and it
was a precious gift-was the spirit
of honesty and courage, and the de-
termination to front our own prob
lens with sincerity and true Chris
tan bravery. And that is much. But
there is nc programme of any kind
in this great mans writings.
Others have said that Emerson's
religion is an improvement on that
of Christ, and that Emerson on a
certain occasion praised a speaker
who had distinctly objected to the
word Christian as being a limita-
ton" Further, we are informed by
some of these modern sycophants
hat Emerson never recognized the
leadership of Jesus Christ as that Of
an infallible guide"
Mr.. Van Allen well asks could
apotkeosis go %further?" In view of
all this it seems fitting to say that
Jesus Christ and the humblcst, most
ignorant and most sinful of the sons
of men are brethren. Emerson was
a man, and nothing more; a man of
noble character and exalted intellect,
but still a mere man. The one whom
Christians worship is something far
different and far greater. Even to
suggest a comparison IS to be guilty
of blasphemy. We do not wonder
that the Boston rector is shocked
! and grieved. But after all Emerson
is not to blame. The trouble is with
his silly admirers. To them let it be
said that it is far toe early to make a
god out of the noble and gently phil
Osopher. We can understand him
too readily. 1t is far too easy to ac-
count for him. But Jesus Christ
the great question of this age, as of
all ages, is. What think We of Him 9.
He is the consolation of rho sorrow.
ing humanity, the avenger of wrong
and injustice, the redeemer of the
world, and the bone of our bone and
flesh of our f1esh-but who even vet
understands Him? To the faithful
people who are not Christians we
would suggest that they read the
Sermon on the Mount, or Christ's
great sermon to His apostles, as re-
corded by ST. John. and then read
the grandest words that Emerson or
any other man eve wrote, and say,
if they can. that Jesus Christ does
not belong to an entirely different
order of creation.