The Portland daily press., 1897-04-10
MEET FOR GOOD OF MAN.
Another Great Parliament of Relig-
ions Projected for 1900.

ions Projected for 1900.
Plan to Hold 1t During the Coming Paris
Exposition on Plans Similar to the
Chicago Session-C. @. Bonney Heading
the Observation-Disclosures of the Last
ParIiament-How the Great Religious
Bodies View Its Reputation.
(Chicago Tribune.)
A question not infrequently asked Is
whether there is to be another Parlia-
ment of Religions. The world, and par
ticularly tho religious world, was shocked
at what they termed the Eaudaoitya of the
promoters of the irst parliament. Skep-
tics and scoffers prophesisd that suoh q
Utopian scheme as union Of all the
worlds great religions on a common
platform for the discussion of matters of
mutual interest was not possible of real
ization. They contended that the diff
culties to be overcome were too many and
scheme as q wild and woolly west'
effort to attract attention to Chicago.
They did not seem disposed to acknowl-
edge Chicago as sufficient of an intellec-
tual center for such a gathering. Many
Of the greatest theologians and pulpit
orators In the United States wrote to the
promoters of the parliament and attempt
ed to dissuade them from continuing
their work, urging as a reason that what
was contemplated was an insult to the
religion of Jesus Christ, and for that
reason alone would result in absolute fail
ure. But the ruling spirits, the Hon. C.
g. Bonney, in whose fertile brain the
whole scheme of tie parliament original
ed, and his able lieutenant, the Rev.
John Henry Barrows, were not to be dis
couraged, and the result of their arduous
labors was that the Parliament Of Re-
ligions was the greatest religious gather
ing Of modern times; SO great, in fact
that 1t has frequently been alluded to as
the second Pentecost.
RESULTS OF LAST PARLIAMENT.
What the results of this first parliament
have been 1t Is most difficult to say.
Among the many things it did accom-
plish was to infuse into the mind Of
many hardshen orthodox preachers a
more liberal spirit of tolerance for all
things non-Christian. 1t broke down
many Q Chinese wall Of prejudice and
promoted freer Interchange of ideas be-
tween tina Christian and the non-Chris-
tian world. The interest shown In the
Parliament in the United States may be
measured when 1T Is known that over
half million books recording tho main
the sale is still going on. 1t inculcatsd
q study OF other religions than Christian
ity with the view of emphasizing the
points of contact rather than those of
difference. The parliament's effect on
the world beyond our borders has been
conservative England gave it but meager
support owing to it's intent being mis-
understood. The stately Church Of Eng
land took its cue from the Late Arch
bishop Of Canterbury, who discounte-
annoed the project BY not informing
himself sufficiently of the plans of the
promoters. True, several of the Bishops
gave it at first the seal of their approval,
but most of them withdrew it after the
Archbishop had expressed his opinion.
This action on the part of his Grace had
a material influence ON the Bishops of the
American Episcopal Church, but not
sufficient to deter some from giving it
their active assistance. The venerable
Prof. B.. Max Muller said Two mo nths
after the parliam emit WAS held that the
one great regret of bis life was that he
had not attended this great ecumenical
gathering. And he said further that had
he known more concerning the plans
for its development he would not only
have attended, but he would have ex-
planned the proj,ct to the Archbishop of
Canterbury In such q light as to have
warranted the official Endorsement of the
Anglican Church. But for first event
Of Its kind Christian support was not
wanting. and 1t WAS this support given
o1icially and privately by nearly all the
branches Of the Christian church from
Roman Catholicism to Universa1ism
that made 1t the great success 1t un-
doubtedly was.
BUDDHIST REPRESENTATIVES,
HONORED.
The Hindus of India sent Swami Vive-
kananda to represent their cause, and
his recent return home was signalized by
tremendous crowds greeting him
wherever he went. When V1rohand
Gandhi, the Jain, returned home to Bonn
bay he was welcomed with all the eolat
of q o0nquering hero and when he left
to come back to America he was made
the recipient Of innumerable addresses
and many valuable presents by bis CO.
Iehgdonists. Since the parliament MIR.
II. Dharmapala, the Buddhist represen-
tativs of India and Ceylon, has travelled
nearly sixty thousand miles, visiting the
homes of his faith in China, Japan,
Siam, Burma, India. and Ceylon, An d
-h he l.