The Divinity School Address

Ralph Waldo Emerson and many of his contemporaries were uncommonly progressive and this is shown in both works by Emerson that we have so far covered: Nature and The Divinity School Address. Emerson's address to the senior class of the Harvard Divinity School is especially advanced thinking and this is what lead to his "expulsion" from this institution.

Emerson begins by stating that when man follows "the sentiment of virtue" he is therefore following the true meaning of religion. Virtue, according to Emerson, is the essence of all religion. I was startled by all of this talk about virtue and looked deeper into its meaning. I found meanings from "manliness" to "active quality of power" to "the chastity of a woman" and finally settled on a relevant definition: integrity of character, purity of soul, performance of duty. Once ones duty is fulfilled and they purify their own soul the one can please God and continue to fulfill the essence of religion.

Continuing on through the address, Emerson recognizes that the institution is what has corrupted religion as it is today, and more specifically, the Christian church has corrupt religion. He recognizes two distinct errors in the institution of the church. One being that the church raises Jesus above everyone else with "noxious exaggeration about the person of Jesus," although the soul knows no persons. Instead religion should praise the "doctrine of the soul" use the "vulgar tone of preaching." The second "defect" that Emerson points out that "the Moral Nature" is not the teaching tool of religion in today's society. The priest preaches as if God is dead, and that the revelation was long ago "given and done." Emerson says that only the spirit can teach, "not any liar, not any slave can teach" only he who can give and create can be the true teacher.

All of this that Emerson is so boldly telling these young graduates is exactly what got him ousted from speaking again. The professors and deans and such were not please with such revolutionary ideas being put into the heads of these new preachers as it goes against ideas of the "church." Emerson goes on with his address telling the audience, the Harvard graduates, that they should go into the world and preach the truth and more importantly about the soul, which is what is lacking in today's religion. He encourages the young students to revive the "decaying church and wasting unbelief" which are making the "hearts of good men sad." Emerson uses his powerful prose and strong opinions to give a nice heartful address to the Harvard Divinity School and because of many people's ignorance is admonished for it. Emerson ends the address by looking to the future when "supreme beauty... shall speak in the West also" and that the students being the new teaches will follow the "shining Laws" and will makea full circle. Emerson hits the nail when he says that the teacher's will see the world to be the mirror of the soul.