The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 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 a
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 ~.
EMERSON WAS ALMOST PANTHEIsTIC-
ALLY IDEALIsT.
There were to him two great cateeO-
ries Of philosophers: materialists and
idealiStS. According to the definition
of 1872, and in fact to large extent
according to the definition Of to-day,
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 q
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, sits 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
uniform INTERPOLATION. He exalts man
inwardly: his nature speaks of the in
finite; he exalts law and even mere
matter, or Substance-a grain of sand
stands for something in the compile
mentary or spiritual world: hence all
nature is looking toward God. Emer-
sons exaltatiOn of those forms and
facts which are really secondary in the
universe Is no attempt at 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
needed, for men cannot worship
they begin to realize the wisdom and
benetcence of Him who is more than
inspired revelation, as we find it in the
scriptures. EmersOn's call to an ob-
sentative worship tends to nobler con-
ceptiOnS and to more appreciative
through conduct. Talk as
men may derOgatively about Emerson's
insistence upon intelligence and
thoughtfulness in worship, we know
that moral progress is not possible
without these. II we see law and har-
mony and never-failing-cause and effect
we shall have reasonable" volition.
This ia Confo rion Moo 10
philosophy is call to larger life, more
thoughtful, more appreciative; to
life which shall be grounded in faith of
one God, the ultimate; from whom all
things come, and in comparison with
whom there Is none else. or course we
can point out at once persistent rut
In Emerson when he deals with the
problems Of the Incarnation, yet that
very rut Is an attempt at. emphaSis of a
truth. Emerson sought an intelligence
in the use Of names and terms applied
to God, Christ, Jesus. In this attempt
Emerson was himself liable to 70
astray In exaggeratiOn, and into what
seemed, If 1t were not, actual sectar-
ianism, but Emerson, as whole and on
a broad basis, preached thoughtful
ness. Life is too tranSitOry an affair
that men should waste their time. He
COuOcl VdUlOu CucIkys uc
to clear the sky SO that all
travellers might see the stars and
guide themselves Alright. He dealt
with vital factors and forces; and he
not only idealiZed these but also made
them still more vital and still more
ideal by pointing to the source and end
of all things.
Emerson's insistence upon the unity
Of the GOdhead made him many oppO-
nents. So much averse was he to any
upon the premises of
the one omnipotent and infinite Spirit
that he said thing about Jesus and the
Holy Ghost which seemed, and which
we're, unduly severe. We ought, how
ever, before condemning Emerson for
'eJecting Christ, to look into his writ
ny to be assured of his ideas about
he Trinity. AS Is the case with criti-
ism Of any writer, injustice can be
lone Emerson by reaching conclusions |
N the basis Of cursory or haphazard