Crazy, Like an Emperor

"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" -Psalms 66:18-20

(Originally posted July 29, 2009)

Ever hear of the first and only Emperor of the United States? If you live in the San Francisco area, you probably have. During the 1800's, an odd character lived who declared himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Defender of Mexico."

Joshua Abraham Norton was actually a failed businessman who fell into hard times when he tried to corner the rice market in California. He bought a shipload of rice, unaware that the next day, a second ship would arrive from Peru. He left San Francisco in disgrace. Up to that point, there are no records of any odd behavior.

But a couple of years later, Norton returned, and in letters written to the local newspapers, declared himself to be "Emperor of these United States," and "ordered" representatives from all states to meet the following February in San Francisco. Of course, no one came, but thus began Norton's "reign."

The fascinating thing is that the city humored Norton. From businesses to city hall, Norton was given a great deal of deference. Norton issued his own bank notes, which many establishments in the city honored. He continually issued decrees to absolve Congress, ordering the army to take it by force, and other outlandish ideas.

Norton had a kinder side too. In fact, in many ways, he contributed some good ideas, such as a bridge to be built between Oakland and the city, and that a giant Christmas tree should be installed at Union Square for the children, a practice that is continued today. Norton was given a box seat at the Opera House, and whenever he attended, everyone would rise. He declared that anyone referring to the city as "Frisco" would be charged with a misdemeanor, and charged $25. Many paid the fine.

The 1800's were tumultuous times in the city, with race riots between the whites and the Chinese. Emperor Norton decided one night to do something about it personally. As rioters came forward toward a group of Chinese immigrants, Norton placed himself inbetween them, an repeated the Lord's Prayer. The rioters left without incident.

When he died, he was penniless. He collapsed in front of Old St. Mary's Church. But civic leaders purchased a coffin befitting an Emperor, and Norton was mourned not by a few, but several thousand. Reports vary between 10 and 30 thousand people came out for his funeral.

Every once in a while, you hear someone have an idea, and someone else says to them, "That's crazy." Then the first guy goes off, implements the idea, and it turns out he wasn't so crazy after all. For Norton, it is hard to say just how delusional he was. History has no record of any official evaluation. But he may have fully believed himself to be Emperor, because he actually risked his life that night of the riot, to demonstrate the power of prayer.

People often think religious people are delusional as well. And sure. Some are. But then there are the events that defy explanation if you ignore the possibility that God truly does answer prayer. I have known people who were sick... deathly sick, who were healed by prayer. Circumstances deemed insuperable by any other means, I have seen overcome through prayer. Amazing things. And who would have ever thought that a riot could be turned away by a crazy man, claiming to be Emperor of the United States, praying the Lord's Prayer?You'd have to be crazy to believe it, right? Crazy like an Emperor.

(Special thanks to Jon Van Nadelberg for his help writing this entry!)