The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-12
PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS.
Opening Session Of @ Worlds Congress
of Many Notable People.

CHICAGO, Sept. 11.-An event of world.
wide historic interest. one never before ac-
comphshed-took place in Chicago to-day.
1t was the assembling of the parliament or
reliGions-a gathering of representatives or
all the great beliefs of the world. The OBJ
ieot is to show how important are those
things upon which all are agreed ond how
comparatively unimportant are the differ
epces of creed. The result of the parlia-
ment. 1T is expected, will be TO emphasize
what is fundamental and throw into the
background those differences which are ac-
cidental and superficial.
Ingress was impossible to the spacious
Art Palace on the lake front long before the
hour appointed for the BEGINNING of the
proceedings. No suoh immense crowd had
gathered before during all she memorable
series of congresses since the beginning OF
the worlds fair. Aside from the size of the
crowd it was even more distinguished 10y
It's sc0sm0p0litanism. which some OF the en-
thusiastic participants declared had never
been exceeded. not merely since the begin
ming of the worlds fair. but from the be-
ginning of the world itself. Brilliant
costumes of the Orient ningl ed
In picturesque array with the apparel be-
tokening the prominence of the wearefs In
high religious councils of Europe and Amer
loa. and In the almost bewildering thrOng
it was almost irE possible TO particularize
individuals. Among those present were
Pung kwang Yn. Confucian. secretary of
the Chinese legation at Washington; II.
Darampala. Northern Buddhist. secretary
of the a-Bodhie Society of India;
Virchand X. Gandhi. secretary of the Jam
Association of India; DIR. Ernest Faber.
Christian missionary to China; George L.
Candiih. Christian mission ary dire CT from
-.
Buddhist. Toxic; Prof. Minas Tcheraz,
Armenian Church; several Buddhist priests
from Japan; Swami VIvekanends. secro.
tary of the Orthodox Brahminical Society
of India; Hnndenara Nath CbakravaSi.
theOsophist. from India. and many Others.
including the notables of the Roman Cath
olic and jewish congresses. who were still
in the city.
Just as the new Liberty Bell at the
worlds fair was to.ling q hush fell on the
great audience and his Eminence. Cardinal
James Gibbons, In clear voice and words
OF touching simplicity. pronounced the 10
vocation TO the Deity. Then followed ad-
dresses of welcome by President Z. c.
of the worlds fair: the Rev. John Henry
Bar:ows, of the First Presby teriaD Church
of Chicago the president of the Parliament
OF Religions: the Rev. Augusta Chaplin. ID.
d.; President inbotham. OF the worlds
far. Responses were made by many emf
nent men.
Cardinal Gibbons had to leave early. so
his response TO the addresses of welcome
was called for out of its order. He said
though all did not agree on matters of
faith, there was one platform on
which all were united-that was
charity, humanity and benevolence. He
spoke of the good Samaritan who bound
up the wounds of q man who was his ene-
my In religion and in social life. and said
that that was the example we all ought to
follow. He said that he could not
impress too strongly on every one
that each was his brother's keeper. That
was the whole theory of humanity. IL
Christ had cried with Cain, Am my
brothers keeperi" we would still be walk
ing in darkness.
Tonight nearly ell the delegates were
present at a magnlticent reception given in
their honor at the home of Mir. and Mrs. A.
L. BARTLETT on Prairie avenue