RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
88
Until the autumn of 1838, Emerson preached twice on Sundays to the church at East Lexing ton, which desired him to become its pastor.
Mr. Cooke says that when a lady of the society was asked why they did not settle a friend of Emerson's whom he had urged them to invite "
We
are a very simple people, and can understand no one but Mr. Emerson." He said of himself " pul that he is the platform." Knowing Lyceum pit
to their pulpit, she replied
:
:
made his Sermons contribute to we need not mourn over their
My
his Lectures, not being re
ported.
In March, 1837, Emerson delivered in Boston a Lecture on War, afterwards published in Miss Peabody's ".^Esthetic Papers." He recognizes war as one of the temporary necessities of a de veloping civilization, to disappear with the ad
vance of mankind "
At a
:
certain stage of his progress the
man
fights,
he be of a sound body and mind. At a certain high stage he makes no offensive demonstration, but
if
is alert
heart.
to repel injury,
At a
and of an unconquerable
higher stage he comes into the re passion has passed away from him
still
gion of holiness his warlike nature
is all
dicinal principle
he
;
;
converted into an active
sacrifices
himself,
;
me
and accepts
with alacrity wearisome tasks of denial and charity; but being attacked, he bears it, and turns the other