Emerson On Swedenborg

"One of a collection of seven lectures first published by Ralph Waldo Emerson, in 1850, entitled Representative men." (Inside back cover.)

Excerpt from Prof. Bush's Reply to Ralph Waldo Emerson on Swedenborg: A Lecture Delivered at the Odeon, Boston, on the Evening of Jan. 16, 1846 It may possibly have been deemed more proper that I should meet Mr. E. On his own ground, and endeavor to show, that the very primary principles of his theosophy-of which his objection are an outbirth - are unsound. This, however, Ihave not assumed to do. I care not to enter into transcendental discussions. I pr0pose to encounter his strictures on the humble plane of that common sense and common sentiment which, though doubtless created or modified by the prevalent belief in Christianity as an objective revelation, is yet a fair and competent tribunal before which to try their force. I do not perceive that the advocate of great moral truths is called to forsake the vantage-ground afforded him by a rational and satisfactory belief in the religion taught in the Christian Scriptures; espe cially as he finds its voice one with that of the inner oracles of his own mind. It is, moreover, proper to remark, that my occasional citations are made from the print ed report of Mr. E.'s Lecture, published in a daily paper at the time; and though my own ear enables me to testify to its general correctness, yet it is possible that the actual phrase ology of the manuscript might in some cases give a shade to the import of particular ex pressions, which is not fully preserved in the report. It is but justice to the Lecturer that he should be entitled to the advantage of a hypothetical concession on this ground. I could wish that a 'running allowance might be made in the mind of the reader for the possibility of a wrong construction of his meaning, yet on the leading points I think there is no mistake. In view of the circumstances under which the following discourse was prepared remote from the leisure and quiet of the study, and while passing from place to place in the delivery of a course of Lectures - I might perhaps, if the fact were stated, be justified in giving it more elaboration and finish, and sending it forthto the world as a specimen of what I could have wished to make it in the first instance, but did not. Several of the items would well bear expansion, and some, perhaps, amendment; but I have concluded, on the whole, to give it almost precisely as it was delivered, simply supplying those por tions which I was obliged to omit in the delivery from want of time. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This thought-provoking lecture offers a lively rebuttal to the ideas put forth by Ralph Waldo Emerson on the Swedish philosopher and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. The speaker draws on theological and philosophical arguments to challenge Emerson's critique and offer a new perspective on Swedenborg's work. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.