America's Self Needs To Be Led

America is a young nation, but our history tells us a lot about our national identity. America’s self needs to be led. We as Americans can be led in a variety of different ways: laws, religion, prophets or leaders. One reason the American Revolution and Constitution was successful is because of its leaders. Having some sort of “rule” to follow gives us a sense of purpose. For example, following the Ten Commandments from the Bible make us feel that our lives are ethical and for the common good. In Emerson’s Divinity School Addressed, Emerson says “The perception of this law of laws awakens in the mind a sentiment which we call the religious sentiment, and which makes our highest happiness. Wonderful is it its power to charm and command.” Emerson goes on to say “Law is sovereign over all natures, and the world's, time, space, eternity do seem to break out into joy.” Emerson was correct about Law being Sovereign.

The idea of someone or something to follow is one of the first lessons we learn as children. For example, being given a given a gold star for following the rules or being taught the “Golden Rule”. In our high school years we learn the rules and qualities of being a good citizen. We follow dress codes at rules, the speed limits for roads, and following our parents curfew. As adults, we “follow” celebrities and religious leaders as a basis for how to live our lives. Our society paints a scary picture of what a nation without rulers look like. We envision mass chaos, no justice, no infrastructure and a select few rising to power. Our Founding Fathers did not want a tyranny, but they knew we needed a figurehead. Often, who we choose to follow helps us simplify the complex. They provide reasons for things happening and help us to rationalize our decisions.

As Emerson said “We seek to be great by following the great.” One trait the author seems to feel strongly about is divinity. Specifically, how we come to divinity. The tradition at the time that God was only accessed through a priest, church service, or biblical readings. Emerson believed God could be accessed by anyone at any place. In fact, he believed it was preferable if we took our faith into own hands. This piece was written not long after the American Revolution, where America had taken its future into its own hands. Emerson believed when we take our faith into our own hands it actually makes us closer to God. On page 89 Emerson says “We easily come up to the standard of goodness in society. Society’s praise can be cheaply secured, and almost all men are content with those easy merits; but the instant effect of conversing with God, will be to put them away.”

Society as a whole is easily persuaded, this is the reason we have genocides and war. Although we do need leaders and laws, we must be able to discern for ourselves. Emerson believes God gives us a brain and we should use it. Sometimes using our brain means going against the norms and traditions, but Jesus Christ himself broke laws and traditions.