The Newtown bee., 1906-04-06
Bridgeport Conn.,

replied to the skeptical philosophy Of
Locke, which insisted that there was
nothing in the intellect which was not
previously in the experience of the
senses by showing that there was q
very important class OF ideas or i'm
peratiye forms, which did not come by
experience, but through which expert
ence was acquired; that there were in
buttons of the mind itself; and he
denominated these Transcendental
forms (see Note y.
EMERSON WAS ALMOST PANTHE1sTIC-
ALLY IDEALIsT.
There were to him two great cateeo-
ries Of philosophers: materialists and
idealists. According to the defnition
Of 1872, and in fact to q large extent
the former accept as real only facts of
history, and those concrete things
which are basis in the SenSuOuS world;
the latter look behind matter to a
spirit cause.
Matter to Emerson Is the phenome-
ma of thought, the expression, the
symbol of the spirit. Spirit is primal,
1t creates. 1t Is the ultimate, the only
reality, OF which in the last analysis
all things are expression. The universe
in every particular reduced may be
spoken of in terms of mind. Nature
is an expression of God, cts laws are
His thoughts. (See Note p. II ideal.
Ism proclaims the unity OF spirit and
matter, the perfect inJerrelation, har-
mony and correspondence between
them, Emerson is an idealist. Many
of his essays are the expression of this
NJ mi q tim Ho 0vo1fc u
inwardly: his nature speaks of the in
finite; be exalts law and even mere
matter, or substances grain of sand
stands for something in the compile
mentary or spiritual world: hence all
nature is lookinNstoward God. Elmer.
sons exaltation Of those forms and
facts which are really secondary in the
universe is no attempt at a readjuSt-
ment of factors. He thinks of God
always as the creator and immediate
ruler of his creations: no one gives
more prerogative or freedom to the
eternal DEGREES, yet his insistence on
manifestations" Is wholesome and
needed, for men cannot worship
God in any large way until
they begin to realize the wisdom and
inspired revelation, as we find 1t In the
scriptures. Emerson's call to an OBJ
sentative worship tends to nobler con
captions and to more appreciative
expression through conduct. Talk a!
men may derogatively about Emerson!
insistence upon intelligence anc
thoughtfulness in worship, we know
that moral progress is not possible
without these. If we see law and har
mony and never-failing-cause and effec1
we shall have reasonable" volition
This Is no sectarian plea. Emerson
philosophy Is call to larger life, NOR
thoughtful, more appreciative; to {
life which shall be grounded in faith o
one God, the ultimate; from whom al
things come, and in comparison will
whom there is none else. or course VI
can point out at once a persistent ru
In Emerson when he deals with tn
problems Of the Incarnation, yet tina
very rut is an attempt at,emphasis of
truth. Emerson sought an intelligence
in the use Of names and terms applied
to God, Christ, Jesus. In this attemp
Emerson was himself liable to y
astray in exaggeration, and into VIVA
seemed, If it were not, actual SecGar
ianism, but Emerson, as whole and u
broad basis, preached thoughtful
ness. Life is too tranSitOry an affai
that men should waste their time. H
advocated a conservation OF energy, n
attempted to clear the sky SO that al
travellers might see the stars an
guide themselves Alright. He deal
with vital factors and forces; and b
not only localized these but also mad
them still more vital and still NOR
ideal by pointing to the source and en-
Of all things.
Emerson's insistence upon the unit
Of the Godhead made him many oppC
nents. So much averse was he to an
encroachment upon the premises Q
the one omnipotent and infinite Spiri
that he said thing about Jesus and tn
Holy Ghost which seemed, and whic
we're, unduly severe. We ought, how
ever, before condemning Emerson TO
rejecting Christ, to look into his writ
ing to be assured of his ideas abou
the Trinity. AS is the case with crit1
cism OF any writer, injustice can b.
done Emerson by reaching conclusion
on the basis Of cursory or haphazare