The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-12-22
A GREAT SCENE.
How Archbishop Ryan, Of Philadel-
phia, Was Greeted by Many
Representative People.
PLEA FOR A LIVING FAITH.
A Maoniflcent Audience Listens to
an Address on "Agnostic1sm
and It's Causes"

"A MaQn1nC00C AuC10uC6 LlSI0uS W
an Address on "Agnostioism
and It's Causes"
Archbishop Ryan wrought on Wednes-
day night of last week at the Academy of
Music, Philadelphia, something like a
union of men of all denominations who
believe in the living God. The work was
accomplished also to the glory Of the
American flag and the fame of dead
American soldiers, for the Archbishop
spoke that the fund for the erection of
the Antietam monument OF the Phila-
delphia Brigade might be increased.
.Agnosticism and it's Causes" was the
title that he chose for his address, and
he followed the subject closely. The
Philadelphia Press says of it:
"He pleaded not alone for Christianity,
but for the fundamental belief in Di-
vine Providence, and with glowing words
referred to the Parliament OF Religions
in Chicago, where the representatives of
all the faiths of the universe said
"Amen' to the prayers Of "Our Father y
spoken by a Christian cardinal. He
pleaded for closer relations among the
various Christian bodies, and the key
note his feeling in this regard was ex-
pressed in these words: 1T is pity that
the Christian denominations do not think
more about the points they have in com
mon and less about those on which they
differ
The whole tone of his address was
gentle, persuasive and conciliatory, and
he was especially kind in his references
to those who are sincere in their doubts.
tFor,' said he, there are honest infidels. ,
The duty of civil obedience, the vital
need Of political purity to the main
tenance of the Republic, the glory Of
patriotism and the danger to men and
nations that lies in the negation of God
were all pictured forth with splendid
eloquence.
And it was magnificent audience to
which he spoke. The Academy was
packed from floor to ceiling. The stage
was no less crowded than the audito-
rum, and behind the speaker was tier on
tier of eager listeners. The Archbishop
received an enthusiastic welcome as he
came upon the stage, leaning on the arm
of Commander Frazier, of the Brigade,
who presided. He took seat in the big
blue velvet chair, with it's wealth of
gliding, that is so familiar to Academy
audiences. He was in what might be
denominated ecclesiastical full dress for
civil functions. He wore dark purple
eontane, and from his shoulders hung q
long silken cloak of so light 9 shade of
purple that by contrast with the sontane
it appeared almost crimson. A golden
pectoral cross depended from long
golden chain that encircled his neck.
At the Archbishop's right sat the
white-bearded Bishop Foss, of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, dressed in plain
black. On another part of the stage
was Bishop Tanner, of the African Meth
odist Episcopal church. Among other
Protestant clergymen on the stage were
Rev. DR.. Joseph X. Dixon, Rev. Dr. VIM.
May, Rev. DR.. Frank Bisbee, Rev. DR..
Longacre, of New York, and Rev. Samuel
w. Thomas, presiding elder. Many 9th
ers had seats in the auditorium. Mrs.
Ulysses s. Grant, the widow Of the
great General of the Union forces, sat
in box on the right, and Colonel and
Mrs. Edward Morrell listened in box
in the left, and indeed in every direc-
ton in which one looked the face of
come distinguished person met the eye.
Commander Frazier introduced the
Archbishop to hls fellow citizens" and
publicly expressed the brigade's appre-
citation of the prelate's services in the
cause OF the monument fund. As the
Archbishop arose and came forward
there was a great outburst of applause
that was renewed as member OF the
brigade walked across the stage and
presented Mrs. Grant with bouquet
and little child dressed all in white, the
daughter of veteran, carried big bas.
ket of flowers over to the Archbishop.
The Archbishop smiled, patted the child
on the cheek and placed the flowers on
a pedestal beside him. 81
During his address the prelate was in.
terrupted again and again with applause.
His delivery was superb; his eloquence
was contagious. AT the close Of the ad-
dress he went over and paid his respects
TO Mrs. Grant, to the exuberant delight
ot the spectators The monument fund
viii Be nearly s. coo the better for bis
.aservicee.