Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1882 — THE SAGE OF CONCORD. [ARTICLE]

THE SAGE OF CONCORD.

Ralph Waldo Emenon Pawes to the Dim Future, Full of Yean and Honors. Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet and philosopher, died at his home in Concord, Mass., on the 27th ult., aged 79 years. The deceasod, who was affectionately known aa “The Sage o l Concord," was born in Boston May 26, 1803. He came of an intellectual “blueblood," being ancestored by eight generations of ministers, whose lives and works are inseparably entwined in the early history of New England. At 8 years old Ralph entered the publio grammar school and soon after the Latin school. He was noted as “ one who loved to trifle in rhyme a little now and then.” He entered Harvard in his 14th vear, but was even then a good classical scholar. His favorite study was Greek, and he was an apt translator, and excelled in composition and declamation. In his Sophomore year he assisted his brother William in teaching a school which was held in his mother’s house. In March, 1889, he was ordained minister of the Second Church in Boston. In 1832 he resigned his place and gradually withdrew from the ministry, having lost faith in the dogmas of religion. In 1833 Emerson made a voyage to Europe for the benefit of his health. In England he formed the acquaintance of such men as Coleridge, Wordsworth, Carlyle, Walter Savage Landor, and other famous literati. Returning to Boston in the winter, he commenced a series of lectures, and in 1834 preached for a time for the Unitarian Church in New Bedford. In 1835 he delivered a series of biographical lectures in Boston. In 1836, at the laying of the cornerstone of a monament commemorating the Concord fight, an ode written by him was sung. It contains the immortal linos:

Here, once the embattled farmers stood. And tired the shot heard round the world. In 1836 his book, entitled “Nature,” was published, which met with so small a sale that after twelve years only 600 copies were sold. In 1838 Emerson collected and published iu three volumes, “Carlyle’s Essays,’ - having previously edited the American edition of “ Sartor Resartus.” In that year he, with Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller, Parker, Stetson, Clarke and others, formed the Transcendental Club, devoted *o the discussion of idealistic religion. He resigned a position as minister of East Lexington in 1838. on account erf his increasing liberality of opinion. In 1839-’4O he lectured in Boston. In 1840 a quarterly magazine, called The Dial, of which Emerson was editor, being associated therein with Margaret Fuller, was commenced and was published for four years, and for which he wrote much both of proso and poetry. In the Brook Farm scheme of 1841 he took much interest, but his keen sense of the ridiculous prevented his becoming a resident of “the esthetic village," as he styled itIn 1847 he published a second series of essays and a volume of poems. In the fall of that year he made a second visit to England. There he was engaged to deliver a course of lectures for the Mechanics’ Institute, which had some time previously been organized by the famous Lord Brougham. These lectures were remarkably successful; the'American philosopher was received not only by the most prominent men of letters, but by the masses of the people. The halls were thronged, and the public journals teemed with the popular opmlonsjof profoundjrespect aud esteem so rthe man aud his lectures. He published another volume of essays in 1849, and also published iu book form some of his contributions to the Dial “Essays on Representative Mon” appeared in 1860, “ Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli” in 1852, “English Traits” in 1856, the “ Conduct of Life ” in 1860, “ May Day and O(her Poems” in 1867, “Society and Solitude ” in 1870. The abolition movement gained Emerson’s sympathies from the very first From the year 1844, when he delivered an address in honor of West Indian emancipation, he was ever heart aud soul for the cause. Emerson was twice married. In 1829 to Ellen Louisa Tucker, who died of consumption in 1832, and in 1835 to Lydia Jackson, of Plymouth, who has been the beloved companion till the last He was always interested in the public welfare, aud took an active part in the literary organizations of Concord. By those who knew him longest and most intimately he was regarded with reverence and devotion.