Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-19
UNIQUE ASSEMBLY.
All Religions Extend Hand Of
Fellowship at Chicago.
Roman Catholics and Protestants,
Jews and all Others
jsia IL sissias Praise eed fren when All
Blessings Fisw."

Blessings Fisw."
WORLDS FAIR. Sept. IS Especial by
the courtesy Of Or. Joha Henry Barrows,
was one Of the 200 or more guests the othe:
evening at the reception accorded the ori
entails at the residence Of Mr.. A. c. Bart
lett, and there was assembled, do verify
believe, the most unique group ever seen
on this western continent. In the place oi
honor, between DIR. Barrows and the hos.
ess. stood the venerable archbishop Of
Zante, the Mos, Rev. Dionysins Latas
magnificent in his robes Of Office, and both
in facial aspect and phi ysicai manhood look.
ing the born ruler of men. On the other
side OF the doctor stood Bishop keane and
all around were Parsec, Hindoo and China,
man, Protestants Of many denominations.
snd here and there one of us common men
"a journalist, or a lawyer. or the like-to
modify the tone OF the picture.
Interesting Contrasts.
When the formal presentations were over
and the people began to scatter through
parlor and hall and form into groups, there
was a moving panorama OF colors, races
and faiths. A high priest from India. clad
in snowy white from turban to slippers.
talked earnestly and in excellent English
with a Methodist preacher from Missouri,
who looked as if he had just stepped out of
Peter Cartwright's biography and into
Lorenzo Dow's clothes.
The resident and other Christian guests
were chiefly Chicago's Four Hundred
and in the highest style of evening dress,
among them Mrs. Potter Palmer, Mrs.
Charles Henrotin, Mrs. Annie Besant of
England, Miss Jeanne Sorabji of India,
Principal e. NJ Grant Of Canada, ex-Sen-
ator Lyman Trumbull and many eminent
lawyers, preachers, doctors and other per
sons Of note. The hall decorations consist
ed Of the flags of various nations and flow
ers from many climes. Music added its
charm, and when one looked on the odd
combination of ultra fashionable city peo-
pie with plain country preachers, Catholic
priests in their clerical habit and orientals
blazing with color or resplendent in snowy
white, the thoughts excited were beyond
the power of words to set forth. But it was
one of those rare occasions in which dress
cut no figure, and il plain newspaper
man felt too conspicuous in his everyday
and strike an attitude to be mistaken for
distinguished foreigner. Surely such an
other assemblage was never seen. out of
India, and probably not there.
All this is but preliminary to some notes
on the parliament of religion, which is by
common consent regarded as the greatest
success Of the aye. Consider these facts
Out of several thousands invited from all
parts of the world, less chan score posi-
lively declined; out of 10 who promised to
be present and talk or send papers, only
three failed aud of those who sent their
names to be recorded as actually present
all were in lie city on tie opening day ex-
cept five. 1t Is seldom, ! think. that our
national congress is 50 full oI opcning day,
and ye; these people have come from thc
ends of the .aitb. OF course such an ex-
traordinary gathering has inhamed ardent
Christians, excited enthusiastic humani-
tarans and set the superstitiors to fore
casting. A talented Adventist Of the radi-
cal school has already proved to his own
satisfaction that this is one OF the signs
that the end of the dispensation is nigh,
for when these people return home the
gospel will have been preached una all ma
tions, and then shall,the end come"
A Catholic Affair.
The true catholicity of this affair and It's
world representative character may be
shown by brief outline of its proceedings
to date. The separate Catholic congress
ended on Sunday, the 10th, and next day
the great parliament convened in the Hall
of Columbus, in the Art institute. every
available space being filled with spectators,
,..ki Ia . |, mud fttrn "a a
platform was at least one representative of
every faith except Mormonism and fetch
ism (if faith the latter be), and bishops Of
every Christian body which is episcopal in
government. All joined, $500 voices at
least, in singing Praise God From Whom
All Blessings Flow" Jew and Jain, Brah-
man. Buddhist and Parsee singing as freely
as Methodist and Catholic
Then followed the Lords Prayer by Car
dinal Gibbons. nearly all the assemblage
Joining; an address by President Bonney,
the patriarcbal blessing by Archbishop
Latas of Zante, Christian, Buddhist and
Shntovist bowling together as he raised his
hands; the address of welcome by DIR. Bar
rows and responses by archbishop Feehan,
Rev. Augusta j. Chaplin. ID. d.; Harlow n.
Higinbotbam, i. C. Mazoomdar of India,
Prince Wolkovsky, II. Dbarmapala, Minas
Cheraz (Armenian), Swama Vivekauda
(Jain) Miss Sorabji tParsee), Birchaud
Raghavi Ganthi and Bishop Arnett, col
ored Oh, it was worth a year of common
life to witness such union.
On Tuesday presentation of beliefs was
made, the most interesting addresses being
by Rabbi Wise, Rev Maurice Phillips of
Madras, Hon. W. T. Harris and Shaku
Sozen. Universal regret was felt at the
absence of Hon. Mr.. Justice Ameer Ali, as
his title runs, for he is the lineal descend
ant in the first born male line of the great
Ali companion Of Mohammed, and is the
only well known man of that blood who
has adopted Buddhistic views. His paper
was well read, however, and received with
applause. On Wednesday Hon. Pung
Kwang Yu of the Chinese legation at
Washington expounded Confucianism, Zit
Luzen Ashitsu told Of Buddhism in Japan
and kinza Ringe IIirai of the same coun-
try told US of the influence of Buddhism in
promoting moral life. On this and each
succeeding day Christian teachers alter
mated with those of other faiths. but there
was no controversy-only presentation Of
views.
Religion Versus frre1igiOn.
On the next three days the principal lee
iurers were Rev. Lyman Abbott, Rev. Jo-
seph Cook, Takayoshi Matsuyama and
Reuchi Shibata ON Shintoisrn. Cardinal
Gibbons, Julia Ward Howe. Protali Chun-
der Mazoomdar. Virchand X. Ganthi. Mrs.
Eliza X. Sunderland and Bauriu Yaisn-
bucho The paper Of Errad Sheriarji Da-
dabhai Barucha Of Bombay On Zoroastrian-
ism and the prize essay Of Kung Hsien Ho
of Shanghai on Confucianism were read,
as they were not present. These are but
specimens os many addresses given and to
be given in this parliament, the object OF
which Is, according to the call, to unite
all religion against all irreligion, to make
the golden rule the basis Of this union. TO
present the substantial unity Of many re-
ligions in the good deeds Of a religious
life," etc. Was there ever a year before
1885 when such a parliament could have
been heidi