The morning call., 1893-10-09
IN WORLD=UNION,
Ends of the "Parliament
of Religions"
DIR. Sprague Emphasizes Some of the
Benefits to Be Expected
.Therefrom.

Last evening at the Second Unitarian
Church, which was crowded again to the
doors, the pastor, Rev. Leslie w. Sprague.
preached, taking for his subject the recent
Parliament of Religions which was held
at Chicago.
The speaker began by referring to the
growing thought of unity. which is the
gospel of science, and said this thought
has begun to apply to religion. Scholars
are interested in comparative religions
and many people are saying all religions
are one. He said the time when Antonio
will spit on Shylock and Shylock will not
eat or worship with Antonio is passing.
and Rabbi Rirst is appauded on the plat
form of tho Catholic Religious Congress.
while Archbishop Ireland is equally well
coined by the Hebrew women in religious
me citing.
He then spoke briefly, describing the
Parliament of Religions, how it was COM
posed of the leading representatives of the
great denominations as well as the great
systems of religion, and read from Chi
cago paper short description of the OPEN
ing day, closing with the concluding re-
marks Of President Barrows' eloquent
OpeDing address: when few DAYS ago
l met for the first time the delegates who
have come TO us from Japan and shortly
after the delegates who have come from
India / felt that the arms of human
brotherhood had reached almost around
the globe. But there ls something stronger
than human love and fellowship, and what
gives up most hope and happiness to-day
is Our confidence that the whole round
world is very way bound by gold chains
about the feet of God.'"
After asking his people to realize the
significance of this great meeting. saying
that at last the lamb and lion have lain
inside the lion, the speaker proceeded to
point out some OF the lessons and probable
results of this parliament
THE first lesson and result Is that of
federation. Too long have creeds been at
war. These representatives of different
denomin atons and systems of religions
sitting toget her in brotherly regard cannot
fail to make all men more patient and
considerable of each others creed 1t will
break down race prejudiees also, and this
spirit of charity will be religious progress
Another lesson and necessary result
has to do with missionary work After this
insight Into the good of tbesa Old World
faiths and into the conservation and intel
ligence of their great leader. Christians
will not send their creed-mongers and half
idiots abroad to- convert the heather.
Neither will they send rum and mission
aries on the same boat, but will strive to
make commerce great spiritual power,
as 1t ought to be. Some day Americans.
at least. will realize that Buddha ana
Mohammed and Confucius are doorways
20 God, as we'll as is Christ, and though
narrower yet nearer to the Oriental heart.
again, though this parliament ali-in-all
| teaches the superiority of Christianity. the
comparison cannot he altogether fattering
to the Christians. The temperate Moham-
medan in whisky-soaked Chicago will
throw a fiashlight into one of the dark
places of Christianity. 1t will result in
bracing up the moral side of Christianity.
Another result will be a great growth
of spirituality, for in the narrowness and
self-satsfaction there is naught but spirit
ual death. Who has hate or contempt for
his brother cannot know the father. 1t is
of little use to thank God that we are
Methodists or Unitarians. Let us rather
pray to be true and grand men and women.
''The last and greatest result will be
growth. All denominations and systems
will have received new sense of the pres
ent. and, the door once opened, the truths
of science, the results of modern thought
and the fraterna spirit of the nineteenth
century will con tiDue to flow In TO enrich
each and every creed"
The speaker closed with q beautiful
poem, by Matthew Arnold, beginning:
Children OF men, the unseen power
Hath locke. religion scornfuly
m