The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-20
...,slon the Columbian Exhibition.

Vhoreis something approaching the sublime
30. lne article OF the programme proposed for
80. Worlds Columbian Exhibition. OF course,
~. main object of the Exhibition is TO display
~. nroducts of human skill, in the manufac-
.--6 and arts Of the world. The loom. the
lam engine. the applications Of electricity
,-, fo be shown in their completest and latest
e.,eiopmcnts. The painter and sculptor are
.- Illustrate the sphere of the imagination in
.b.,r several creations. All that man can do
.- 5sv i'm productive, initiative and creative
.-, +. to have its representative at Chicago.
.rt ,he wonderful palace OF industry and
..r.rs is % be the meeting place where myriad
----.ts. ariihcers and artisans. where savants
.-f scientists may see, learn and criticise.
SIR the Chicago Exhibition is TO be a place
- competition as well as a place OF snow;
and human judgment is 10 award priority
.monr the varied examples Of human power
.r3 knowledge.
Srch gatherings as this have hitherto only
,-.Innially recognized the claims and the
influence OF religion IN the world. Inc scieh-
t-e man sometimes passes by religion as
..moinng outside his domain. The manu-
aeurer and The artist often think 1t out OF
,aca go the forge or IN the laboratory the
studio and the gallery. But Chicago mas re-
solved chat religion shall make Its demonslIa-
t.r amid the emblems of material progress
rf human intellect. In the significant
rafs of the report issued by an auxiliary
..niffco of ,he General Board, 10 is pro-
,...l s.to hold great gathering OF represent
-...a men of AN religions 10 confer win eacn
.r..rI0r a better understanding OF the ground
t.k.r uv each faith and the work attempted
.rfro-s who profess 10 for the salNatiOn OF the
r..I" lt Is indeed good sign that the
..... salvation as well as the worlds pro-
...- should Dee I'M the thoughts OF men during
% lxrifemeuts and competitions OF the
Worlds Fair. What particular method OF
.r.r..ure win secure this conference OF the
m-fiau. the Buddhist, the MOhammedan,
and fna Conucian, We are not told. 1t VIII
. something more than an ecumenlcal
..rcfl f0 see them assembled in one hall OF
conference. To viii DE quite IN accordance
wrn fhe highest spirit of the age. Now Is
ftara 0l tolerance and arbitration. DlOcle-
t.n would have driven out Christianity by
+... ban Ut 0utawry: Julian would have cut
t.f from the fountains OF European clO-
..rnee and wisdom; Monammed would have
.raned it I'm blood. The most enlightened
Stakes OF to-day make no religious Delei a
condition OF civil liberty. the universities oil
re world are open 20 members oI any sect OF
t..t The sword of Islam is sheatned. Inere
..-u. t0 be- am approach in the programme oil
Oh. Chicago Exhibition 10 the time spoken OF
lt leunvs0n. when a parliament OF men, OF
mankind. Is 10 meet for the discussion oil
subject. most mOmcntOus 10 the human race
Eg6n "a demonstration of such "a character as
rIsis eloquent and suggestive. 1T may give
Cd Christianity the opportunity OF showing
lat the teachers OF Christianity approach the
ron-Christian world, as It. Paul approached
The world at Athens, with the sole and single
Mea of giving more light to those whom the
Gospel considers TO sit i'm darkness. What
.l.r form of worship, whatever objects Of
aloratiOn other religions may have found IOl
r.m.elyes, Christian Chicago says 10 all, 81
perceive that YOU are very religious: whom
therefore ignorantly worship, him declare
we unto y0u." This Is at least the spirit IL
which the Gathering of representatives, OF al
RELIGIONS should be held. Whether this spirit
+. understood and appreciated is another
matter: whether the end proposed IS practl
canels beside the question. The cry OF The
religious world, OF the Christian world II
particular is for union and unity, and the
meeting Of 90 many religions, in their repre-
seutatiyes. at Chicago. VIII at least emphasiz'
thenecessity, the paramount obligation Whicl
:. laid upon Christians, 10 unite themselves
lest they prove a warning instead OF pattern
U the alien mahatmas, pundits, TabDls ant
teachers whom they are inviting to confer
euee with so magnificent and spiritual an am
us The salvation Of the world.-NeW 1oIl
llllclman.