THE DIVINITY SCHOOL ADDRESS (1838)

THE SOURCE OF THE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT:

   Nature satisfies man's basic needs: "The corn and the wine have been freely dealt to all
     creatures." (level of Understanding).

   Natural beauty reveals the principle of virtue: "Beauty appears to man when his heart and
     mind open to the sentiment of virtue." (level of Practical Reason).

   An appreciation of virtue awakens the Religious Sentiment: "Virtue is a reverence and
     delight in the presence of certain divine laws." (Level of Theoretical Reason).

                 The religious sentiment is at the heart of all forms of worship.

                 It must be experienced directly: "It cannot be received at second hand."

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH:    

   Jesus recognized that "God incarnates himself in man" and announced the divinity of all
     men.

   But historical Christianity has distorted Jesus' message: "The idioms of his language and
     the figures of his rhetoric have usurped the place of his truth."

                 It has emphasized the person of Jesus: "The soul knows no persons."

                 It has communicated the impression that God revealed himself only once,
               long ago, and that God's truth is no longer alive.     

                 It has turned the pulpit over to FORMALISTS and "men of TALENT,"
               while denying a voice to SEERS who preach the message of the SOUL:
               "The preaching of this country comes out of the memory . . . not out of the
               soul."    

THE DUTY OF THE RELIGIOUS TEACHER:

   The TEACHER must demonstrate "that God is, not was; that he speaketh, not spake."

                 He must preach the message of the SOUL based on personal experience.

                 He must avoid influence and imitation: "Dare to love God without
               mediator or veil."

                 He must avoid all forms of conformity: "Look to it . . . that fashion,
               custom, . . . and money . . . are not bandages over your eyes."

                 He must work for virtue rather than praise.

SUGGESTIONS FOR CHURCH REFORM:

   Abandon preoccupation with rituals and forms: "Faith makes its own forms."

   Preach the message of the SOUL: "I look for the new teacher that shall . . . see the world
     to be the mirror of the soul."