St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-16
THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS
Correspondence OF the cALEDoNIAN''

,co-rcsnondencc OF the CALIFORNIAN
Mach has been written concerning this
feature of the Columbian Exposition
and different estimates have been mace
Of it, according as writers have noted
it from different points of view; ana as
having only read Oft, or as having oeen
present and heard and seen and felt inc
spirit of the great occasion-ior such 1t
certainly was.
After q weeks attendance upon the
meetings, and with the attempt TO Oil
vest myself of prejudice (if l had any
and to listen with candor to the views
presented, ! can say in general that
have brought away this impression VIZ;
that in many respects it has been the
greatest, and in all respects the most
unique, event of the age.
The coming together offs many men
OF different faiths, who have made the
great religions of the day their lifelong
study; and the candid and | judge hon
est, for the most part, presentation OF
their views; and the equally candid and
honest listening to them for two full
weeks and during three sessions day.
is n most remarkable fact in the exper-
fence of the religious world. Jewish
rabbis, doctors of the Oriental church,
archbishops of the Roman Catholic faith,
Buddhist priests, Brahmim scholars, Mo-
hammedan teachers, Shinto professors,
deyotees of Confucius, many OF the tore
most men of the various denominations
of Protestant Christianity; Negro, Cau-
easan, Mongol, Malay,-sitting side by
side on the same platform in human
brotherhood, comforting together upon the
highest, the most sacred and vital theme
that can possibly engage the thoughts
ofmen, earnestly and calmly presenting
views which till now have been the occa-
sian of acrimonious debate and of MUIR
derous assault was certainly specta-
Gle which will become historical.
The parliament was not deliberative
assembly. 1t was not designed to be.
1t was not to advocate, defend or an
tagonize the different beliefs that were
held. 1t was rather, so to speak, tenn
porary bureau of religious information.
1t was to gather better knowledge ofthe
great ethnic religions from the lips of their
most enlightened teachers. There was
therefore small opportunity, even if one
desired it, for controversy.
There were ardent souls present who
thought the millennium was just about
to break upon the world and who were
quite insistent that the parliament, be
fore it adjourned, should proclaim the
fact and take some action towards uni.
flying all religions.
But thing so preposterous found
little favor with those who kept Their
heads; though 1t was more than hinted
at by so noted person as Julia Ware
Howe
What results may be looked for as tn,
outcome of this great assembly of relig
ionists No immediate results, | think
There are those who deprecate what the,
believe will be its influence; who looked
askaiice upon The proposition Of such {
gathering when it was first suggested
And there was some reason for this ap
prehension, viz: That by consenting t.
such congress of religions we shoul
abate the high claims of the Christia
faith as the one and only religion tina
brings salvation to men, and degrade t
the level Of other religious teacher
the Lord Jesus Christ, "the only nan
given under heaven among men whereof
we must be saved" This we new
could consent to. 1t would put an q
most ipsurmountable obstacle in Il
way Of all missionary work in the
pagan lands if any concessions were he
made that would even seem to put t
Christian faith on par with these 9th
religions.
confess | sympathize good d.
with this view of the matter. But
question of parity was not the POI
aimed at nor even tacitly allowed
the parliament; and if such an inferel
was at all drawn, it was from no di
that was there allowed. 1t was affo
ing an opportunity to men OF vari'
religions to speak freely one to anot
of the faith that is in them.
The great and vital differences betw
Christianity and paganism, and
claims which it makes, were very clei
and pointedly brought out in sew
very able papers. How far these for
delegates were able to understand t
papers, do not know. The papers
doubtless be translated into all t
various languages, to be read and S
led hereafter
Another outcome will be, feel sur
aid in fostering the bond of univ