The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-16
CONGRESS- OF CREEDS.
Peaoe and Good Will at the Great
Religious Gathering.
IN THE THEosoPHIsT SECTION.

Annie Bssnnt Received Hearty Recep-
tlon as She Appeared in One of worth's
Latest Creations - Miss Mueller De-
nounces Churches of All Denominations.
CHICAGO, Sept. 1o-The cosmopolitan
character of the worlds parliament Of re-
iigions were more forcibly demonstrated
yesterday afternoon than at any time since
the opening. II had been laid down as a
rigid rule by the committee on arrange
ments that there should be no controversy
or comparison, that denominational diff
ferences should be forgotten, and that
good will toward man should be the ruling
principle. And so 1t was that when fe-
male theosophisJ from the capital ofGreat
Britain was denouncing the tax gathering
church, the hereto burning church, the
church of oppression, and declaring that
all had been given q death blow by this
parliament OF religions, the strains OF the
grand old hymn, "All Hail the Power of
jesus Name" sung by thousand voices
in a room across the corridor, floated
through her audience and bore eloquent
witnesses to the fact that to one assem-
blage of believers, at least, a death dealing
blow had not up to that moment beon ad
ministered.
1t was great day for the small proper
tion OF the ten Thousand or more thai
sought admission to the Art Institute at
the morning and afternoon sessions,
whether they were interested in Puritan
ism or Judaism, In liberal Christianity or
in Confucianism, In strict orthodoxy or
Mohammedanism. tho particular religious
publium which they sought was there for
the seeking
Confucianism had It's advocate in King
Ehien Ho, Of Shanghai, who said that in
his religion the most important thing was
20 follow the will Of Heaven. All men
had at birth nature, for goodness,
and yet IL there was nothing to fix it then
desires arose and passions ruled, and men
were not far from being like beasts. Con-
fuoianism searched into all things. 1t ex-
tended knowledge 1t taught a sincere
aim for a right heart. 1t taughta virtu-
Gus life; 1t taught good government to the
nation and peace to all under Heaven. All
hown the centuries Its worship and reli-
gion had been wisely regulated, and hence
1t had been transacted from the oldest
times until now. This was what had
caused 1t to be superior to all other reli-
Eions.
Quite in another direction was the ad-
dress Of Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant, Of
England. She said that many theologians
were clever religious jugglers and that
with all due respect to the theologians the
value of the present congress lay in the
soul that was behind it, and not in learned
words.
Professor G. s. Goodspeed. of tho Uni
versity of Chicago, expressed the opinion
shat the session of the parliament would
do more for religion than years of phloso-
phising, while Professor Washburne, of
Constantinople, In paper upon points of
contact between Christianity and Moham.
mechanism insisted that while the first bad
been identified with progressive civilian
tion. the latter had been identified with a
stationary religion.
Standing room in the hall allotted to
the theosophical congress was at pre-
mium. Behind and about a table piled
high with floral designs sat w. c. Judge
Annie Besant, Mrs. Cooper Oakley and
Miss Henrietta Mueller, of London, and
the Buddhist Dharmaple, of Ceylon, and
the Brahmist Chakravarti, of Calcutta
George f. Wright, OF Chicago welcomed
those before him with the declaration that
Hhe present congress was the realization o.
khe dream of the theosophsts tho worlt
over. As the first speaker he introduced
PEafessor Chakravarti, who eXpounded
M eae6.ndamental beliefs of the lEahmins
dwelling upon the principles of cvofNt1oT
and holding that while the animal was al
ways behind the man, he was yet entitle,
10 all consideration, because he was mov
ing toward the Corrective point towar,
which man was travelling.
There were loud calls for Annie Besant
and when the high priestess of theosophy
eostumed in one of WoIth's most magnif
cent creations in cream silk, stepped tt
the foothghts a buzz of admiration wen
through the feminine portion of the audi
enoe, while the men cheered heartily
With u tribute to the late Nine. Blavat
sky, as q messenger of the Master, sht
agreed that the theosophicRl movement
was but another spiritual impulse, les
yeiled than before the race was furthe
evolved.
Following her csmo Miss It. II. Mueller
leostumed In blue silk gown of al
Oriental character, and wearing arount
? her neck a string of enormous ambe
beads. She denounced all kinds Of churches
! and declared that the present parliamen
X had given them their death blow.