Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-12
CONGRESS OF RELIGIONS.
A Sight That Could He Seen Only In
This Age.

The regular proceedings Of the parliament
of religious were opened auspiciously al
Chicago yesterday by an invocation by
Cardinal Gibbons and addresses by Presi-
dent G. C. Bonney and religious lights from
various parts of the world There was not
a vacant seat in the hail. and the walls
were fringed with people standing up when
Clarence Eddy took his seat at the organ
and played a selection preliminary to the
procession with which the proceedings were
opened.
President Bonney in his address OF well
come said they should give thanks for being
able to take part in so grand congress;
one that so fully exemDlified peace and
progress and which would have SO great an
influence on the world.
The Rev. John Henry Barrows. chairman
of the common organization, then addressed
the congress. He said that never before
had such a congress been undertaken, and
not long ago it would have been deemed
impossible to carry IT to successful compile
ton.
Cardinal Gibbons had to leave early, so
his response to the address of welcome was
called for out Of its order. He said that
though all did not agree on matters of
faith, there was one platform on which all
were united This was charity, humanity
and benevolence.
He said that he could not impress too
strongly on every one that each was his
brothers keeper. That was the whole the
DRY of humanity. If Christ had cried with
Cain. Am l my brothers keeper" We
would be sill walking in darkness.
The Rev. Augusta j. Chaplin welcomed the
congress on behalf of the women.
President Higinbotham followed, welcom-
ing the delegates TO the exposition. He said
it was a source of great satisfaction that
should be accorded the honor of three con-
crosses. They were the greatest honor OF
the worlds fair year.
The archbishop Of Zante expressed his
thanks for the invitation which enabled
him to take part in the proceedings which
he thought would be productive of much
good. He prayed the Almighty. he said, for
blessings on the country and on the great
enterprise The archbishop's tributes to
this country were greeted with enthusiasts
tic applause.
Protop Chunder Mazoombar of India when
introduced. said that that religion was the
grandest that Joined all religions
No speaker on the program was greeted
with such applause was Pung Quang
Yu. secretary Of the Chinese legation in
this city.
Prince Wolhousky of Russia followed with
tribute to the congress. He said It was a
magnificent scene that could be seen only
in this age.
The RI. Rev. Reuchi Shibata Of Japan rose
while DIR. Barrows read a paper he had
prepared. He spoke briefly on religion of
the good It had done and returned thanks
for the reception that had been accorded
him.
Then z. Woguchi. also OF japan. made a
short response. He was a Buddhist and
spoke for himself and three companions.
Count Abernston of Berlin said that he
personally believed that the Protestant
Christianity was the only true religion. but
he could enter into the spirit Of the con-
greSS.
Rev G. Bonet Maury of France spoke OF
the benefits of religion and of the extraorfli-
nary character and benefits of the present
congress.
The morning program was closed by brief
responses by Archbishop Redwood of New
Zealand and H. Dharmapala of India.