Psycho Vox, or, The Emerson System of Voice Culture

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Charles Wesley Emerson:

Only son of Thomas and Mary (Hewett) Emerson, was a Minister and Teacher, held degree of M.D. from the University of Penn. and passed through Departments of Law and Oratory of Boston University, were he lived.

Charles Wesley Emerson was born November 30, 1837 on one of the hillsides of Pittsfield, Vermont, overlooking the beautiful White River Valley. He was one of a family which gave to the world such men as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wendall Phillips and Phillip Brooks, being descendant in direct line from one Thomas Emerson, who was a family Knighted by Henry VIII, and who emigrated from England to settle in Ipswich, Mass. in 1638, to become the progenitor of a famous race.

His more immediate decent was from a line of puritan preachers. From this rugged and godly stock the youth received his heritage.

His paternal grandfather was a man of unusual attainments in history and in scriptures. His maternal grandfather was a Methodist minister. His mother, a staunch, noble woman, possessed unusually clear insight and spiritual force of character. His father, who in early years was a teacher of unusual ability, possessed such refined taste and strong intellectual power that he developed in the youth a habit of independent thinking and original research which marked his life and contributed largely to his success.

His boyhood was passed amid the picturesque scenery of his native state, his early education being much better than boys of his day commonly received. He attended both public and private schools, enjoying especially the tutelage of Rev. Agustus Wing and the instructions of his father in higher English, Scientific and Classical studies.

He completed a course of theological study under the Rev. Dr. Tyler, of Brattleboro, Vermont, preaching his first sermon at the age of 19 in the Cram Hill Schoolhouse in Roxbury, Vermont.

He was afterward ordained to the ministry by the Association of Congregational Ministers in Windham County, Vermont, at the age of 21. His first pastorate, of three years, was in Halifax, Vermont. He was then settled for four years in Brookfield, Vermont, and afterward preached for three years in Northfield, Vermont.

Subsequently he was installed pastor of the First Unitarian Parish in Fitchburg, Mass. and for nearly five years was there, the popular preacher to a large and flourishing congregation. He resigned January of 1875.

He afterward graduated and took the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and also passes through two departments of Boston University, Law and Oratory.

Dr. Emerson was a power in the ministry by reason of his moving eloquence, his keen spiritual discernment, his unfailing sympathy and his spirit of benevolence. His churches were crowded with eager listeners. He made hundreds of converts, raising church societies from a condition of decay to one of flourishing life. After 20 years of effort in this field of work, he was forced, by failing health, to abandon it.

After spending a few months in travel to the British Isles, he returned home, receiving an appointment as lecturer on Vocal Physiology and Hygiene in the Boston University School of Oratory. After the death of its president, Professor Monroe, this department of the University was discontinued.

Dr. Emerson perceived that a great work was still to be accomplished in the study of oratory, so, drawing about him a few friends, he opened a school, of Oratory, named in the honor of the late Professor Monroe, the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory 1880. Later, at the request of the alumni, this name was changed to the Emerson College of Oratory, Boston, Mass. This little school grew so rapidly that during the next 20 years it repeatedly outgrew and extended its boundaries, and long before Dr. Emerson retired from public life. In 1902 it was recognized as the largest school of vocal expression in the world. Today Dr. Emerson’s disciples are teaching in primary and secondary schools, state normal schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States and British provinces.-wikitree.com