What is the author's tone in Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson by Ralph Waldo Emerson?

The general tone of Emerson's essays is akin to a preacher in the pulpit—which is what Emerson was before he launched himself as a writer and philosopher. He adopts the tone of a man of wisdom who wants to share his thoughts with his readers, but most of these thoughts are his opinions, however well-presented and well-reasoned. For example, here is Emerson in the second of his essays titled Nature: "Man is fallen; nature is erect and serves as a differential thermometer, detecting the presence or absence of the divine sentiment in man. By fault of our dullness and selfishness we are looking up to nature, but when we are convalescent, nature will look up to us."