The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-05
DR.. BARROWS OF CHICAGO.
Promoter of the Parliament of
Religions.
HIS TWO SERMONS YESTERDAY.
Thinks the Consolidation of indi-
ViduaI Sects Now Divided Will
Be the First Step.

San Francisco had the honor and pleas
.ure yesterday of listening 10 the very
eminent Rev. John Henry Barrows. the
originator and promoter of the great
parliament of Religions" at the Column
biaa Exposition. The distinguished min
lister could remain only two days in this
city, spending the greater part of one of
them at the MidwiDter Fair and preaching
on the second day from the pulpits of the
First Congregational and Calvary
Churches. Previously he had been In the
southern part of the State for several
weeks recuperating from the effects of his
three years incessant labor for the success
of the parliament. lie leaves for his home
in Chicago to-day.
To q CALL reporter DIR. Barrows ex-
pressed himself rs gratifed with his trip
to California. 10th for the good it had
done him physically and for the wider ex-
panse it has given to his acquaintance
with the religious field of America. But
above and beyond all these matters DR..
Barrows was interested in one great theme
of worldwide concern, the unifcatlon of
all religions, and it was upon this that he
expressed himself most freely.
The union Of the religions" he said in
brief, will come about IN one OF two
WAYS, First, those churches which are
most nearly on common ground OF faith
and doctrine must unite - the various
branches of Methodism and Presbyterian
ism, for instance. Then when the sects
are united among themselves Protestant
ism in general will draw together. In the
progress of education Catholics and Prot
estants will discover that the differences
between them are not really cardinal. and
will breach reunion. This accomplished.
the union with other different religions is
only question OF time
''Second-The religions and churches
may join in civil unity on an ethical basis,
as advocated By Mr.. Stead. The religious
organizations have common Interests and
common duties in the communities in which
they exist, and it is possible that they Will
federate fol the promotion and accomplish
ment of these ends. !, myself, am dis
posed to look for the union to come
through be first process.
However that may be, the congresses
Of religion are beginning TO take shape.
Rev. TheO I. Seward reports a greatly
augmented success of his Brotherhood O
Christian Unity in New l Ork, while very
recently there has been organized in Chi
cago, under the leadership of c. {. Bon
ney, large and vigorous Association for
the Promotion of Religious Unity
Then, too. L see there is a proposition
on foot now among some leading Protes-
tautS 10 bear request To the Pope that he
call the Christian churches of all denomi-
nations together for a great reunion. The
Pope is said to look with favor upon the
suggestion"
DR.. Barrows expressed great gratitude
TO Bishop Keane for the hearty manner in
which he participated in both the organi-
cation and furtherance of the work of the
parliament. ''With0ut him l could have
done nothing" he said.
The sermons which Dr. Barrows
preached yesterday were confined to pure
" sectarian themes: In the morning.
Human Unrest and Christ as Refuge" ::
in the evening, Jesus as the Redpemer
from the Condemnation of the Moral
Law"
The morning discourse set forth the va
Tious causes of human unrest, the various
ways in which men attempt TO escape it
and the wonderful manner in which Christ
meets the needs of humanity.
The evening sermon conceded the pres
ence of the moral law in all men; empha-
sized its Involuntary and iDf1lliDle dis.
elimination between right and wrong
(which argued Tor its divinity, and finally
said that from its sef-nfiicted punish
ment there was no escape except throug h
the mercy of Jesus sacrifice.
Large audiences packed each of the
churches in which DR.. Barrows spoke.
ard many people crowded forward at the
conclusion or the services TO greet the
eminent speaker.