The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1906-04-06

may rely upon those impulses in his
own breast for they speak the stabil-
ity of q universe. Far from tending
to egotism, the philosophy of Emerson
teaches the most philanthropic altru.
ism. Emerson exaltS the man but in
doing SO he hOnors the whole race, and
the race physically and historically is
thing of destiny. God stands behind
every law and we'll then may he be
life according to it's beneticent ends.
WITH EMERSON, RELIGION Is ETHICS,
and ethics is conduct. We expect
that from UnitarianS, yet Emerson
goes still further than the orthodox
view. There is in his definition OF
ethics that which savors of the intui-
tive. Emerson sees destiny in conduct.
Morality and religion to him are nat
urally synonymous, then, inasmuch as
there is fataliSm in human expert
ence. God in all things and through
them works bis purposes, hence what
we call law in nature is morality in
man. Man is directed by intuition.
Heredity, circumstances
ly the most trivial = are also accepted
by Emerson as elements in destiny
And there seems also through the
working out of law in experience q
closing in of circles. A mans place is
soon flXed-all past history and all pres.
ent life limit him, so that within mar
row bounds we may forecast his life
from the beginning. Here again EN-.
erSOn recognizes the immanence of God
in mind and matter reaching his own
ends. Man is a creature of the crea-
tor: he may not violate one law or act
Of his own nature. AS the seer of old
/ ho 0ccu1rod hot h.
wrath Of man praises God" so Emer-
son felt that the debauchery, the sin
of man ministers to the eternal de-
crees of love. The sinner cannot up
set the universe-he may hurt himself
yet that damage seen or felt is proof
of Gods benefcence.
On the other hand Emerson is q
preacher of freedom. Modern theol-
ogy. be it according to Calvin or other
wise, tends to accept the idea of free
dom more and more on the basis of
law. There is an ideal. In approach
ing to it, we find freedom; In going
from it, slavery. Mercy is Justice,
and justice presupposes law. Emer-
son welcomes the affirmation as well
as the negations of universe.
Man is free being in that he has
the power Of choice. Fate is annuled
by intellect. Through knowledge and
obedience man rises above law. A
man must see law, must acknowledge
the force that stands behind law and
then order his life according to benov-
lence, as be knows it emulating from
God, in orde' to be free. Emerson
puts it in these words, $50 far as a
man thinks, he is free" (see note 8 J
And again, HE who sees through the
design, presideS over it and must will
that which must be-" (see note 81 God
went before, we come after; hence the
divine will had first choice. The alb
sOlute will made no mistakes, there
were no restrictions in His realm:
therefore the universe of law as dis
covered by man contains no restric-
lions for those who seek to be in har-
mony with the absolute.
THERE Is NO FREEDOM IN DISORDER.
The orderly soul or that soul which
finds it's place in the world encounters
no Inconvenience. Emerson breaches
the sovereignty of the will of God;
and his appeal to our recognition of
that sweet and all pervasive influence
is most convincing. Emerson draws
men, he makes them to see and to feel
for themselves the great truths of this
purpoSeful and significant universe.
His own words need no explanation
"a man should be a guest in his own
house, and guest in his own thought.
Let him find his superiority
in not wishing superiority;
the height OF lowliness, the immensely
Of to-day; and. in the passing hour,
the age of ages. II l will
stand upright the creation cannot
a SdoS of this dictate xrt Of tbs is a the
vorSQl mind hu h0 ind
Character is the habit of obedience,
and religion is the accompanying emo
tion Of reverence which the presence
Of the universal mind ever excites in
the individual" (see note lO)
Emerson believed that law cannot
be violated. He also believed in evo-
luton which is made possible because
of imperfect contact with this perfect
law. ''For the intellect there is no
crime" (see note 11). No matter what
mans attitude to the world or his ex-
perience In it, law goes on true to it,
self. Man disobeys and suffers-the
mind sees only logic or continuity of
action; man obeys and is stronger-the
intellect sees only logic, still. Evil is
prescribed by the conscience. Sin is
subjective alone for evil or wickednesS
as seen or felt in sickness or misery is
according to law and helps to preserve
the ordained equilibrium. These lines
are startling yet exact, we feel, "That
pure malignity can exist, is the ex-
IRENE proposition of unbelief. 1t is
not to be entertained by rational
agent; it is atheism; it lis the last pro-
fanatiOn.
THE DIVINE EFFORT is NEVER RE-
LAXED,
the carrion in the sun will
convert itself to grass and flow
ers; and man though in brothels
and jails, or on gibbets is on his way
to all that is good and true" (see
note IL
Evolution and progress come from a
conflict Of interests from a wear and
tear of forces or events. Emerson
welcomes all commotion. Men are
being pushed higher, even
~ their faults. We believe in the
survival Of the fittest; however, we do
aot always see as does Emerson how
Ill thinpS koan alive & 1onr &c