Notes & Queries.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 April 1884, Page 12

Notes & Queries.

ANSWERS. emerson’s religious opinions. In reply to Query No. 5 of The Review, Emerson’s religions opinions are rather mystical, and are contained in few set terms. We find him saying : “ Miracle comes to the miraculous, not to the arithmetician.” “ Immortality will come to such as are fit for it, and he who would be a great soul in future must be a great soul now. It is a doctrine too great to rest on any legend, that is, on any man’s experience but our own. It must be proved, if at all, from our activity and designs, which imply’ an interminable future for their play.” « What is called religion effeminates and demoralizes. Such as you are the gods themselves could not help you.” . ... . And as far as it is a question of fact respecting the government of the universe, Marcus Antoninus summed up the whole in a word — lt is pleasant to die if' there he gods, and sad to live if there be none.” “ The religion which is to guide and fulfil the present and coming ages, whatever else it must be, must be intellectual. The scientific mind must have a faith, which is Science. ‘There are two things,’ said Mahomet, which I abhor—the learned in his infidelities, and the fool in his devotions.’ Our times are impatient of both, and specially of the last. Let us have nothing now which is not of its own evidence. There is surely enough for the heart and imagination in the religion itself. Let us not be pestered with assertions and half-truths, with emotions and snuffle.” The above .extracts are from Emerson’s essay on “Worship,” and they are probably as correct a _ representation of his religions opinions as it is possible to obtain from his works. Mysticism does not yield readily to the crystalizrng process which produces creeds, though creeds have been extracted from the most unfavourable material. B.