, 1901-12-20
RELIGIOUS BUILDING
FOR DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS Ex-
HI6ITS AT PURCHASE
EXPOSITION.
Movement Being Vigorously Prosecu.
ted by Representatives of the Va
President Francis in Favor of the

st. Louis, Dec. 2O.-(Special to The
Republican.)-The movement to Sc
cure a religious building at the St.
Louis Worlds fair in 1903 is being
vigorously prosecuted by the repre-
sentatives of the various churches in
st. Louis.
Addressing President Francis of the
Worlds fair a few days ago. in favor
of a separate Luilding for the religious
exhibits, one of the reverend gentle
men on the special committee of the
general committee of church workers
which has the matter in hand, said:
Religion has done as much for the
advancement of civilization within the
Louisiana territory during the past
one hundred years as education mas
done. You have arranged for the edu-
%cational exhibit by providing at least
two large buildings, the religious work
ers want one building"
The application of the committee is
for a building to be not less than $50
by 460 feet, of an estimated cost Of
s40O, 900. In this building they wish
to include all exhibits Of a religious ma
ture. 1t was also stated that there was
a general sentiment among church
workers against having religious ex-
hibits distributed among the depart
ment buildings.
Among the exhibits suggested was a
| collection of the relics Of the Vatican,
including the Tiara of the Pope. The
movement for a religious building is
entirely apart from that for a con
gress Of religions.
President Francis assured the mem
bers of the committee that lie was In
favor of their proposition, and that he
would present the matter to the board
of directors at its next meeting.
In addition to the endorsement of
Mr.. Francis, a letter from Mr. John
Schroers, chairman Of the Worlds fair
committee on education, was filed for
reference to the directory. Mr.. Schro.
ers says:
"As far as l am concerned personal
ly, | do not hesitate to commit myself
un%equivocally in favor of your petition,
recognizing the fact that the coming
| glory of the Worlds fair in 1903 should
not only be an exhibit of the material
triumphs. industrial achievements and
mechanical victories of man, however
magnificent that display may be. but
something higher and nobler is also de-
manded by the progressive spirit OF
the age. 1t would be proper to consid'
er the foundations Of religious faiths,
to review the triumphs of religion in
all ages, to set forth the present state
of religion among the nations and its
influence over literature, art, com
merce, government and family life;
to indicate it's power in promoting SO,
cial purity and it's harmony with true
science, to show its dominance in the
higher institutions of learning, to make
prominent the value of the weekly rest
day on religious and other ground, and
to contribute to those forces which will
bring about the unity of the race in
the worship of God and the service OF
man."
The membership of the various re-
ligious bodies represented on the petit
ton is more than %, OO0, 900 in the
United States alone, and their strength
is in the following order: Catholic,
8,446,301; Methodist, 5,SO9.516; Bap'
fist. 4,443. 1928; Lutheran, 1,576,77S;
Presbyterians, 1,560,s47; Disciples OF
Christ, 1,11S,39s; Jews, 1,O43, 800;
Episcopalian, 7O9,325; Congregational
62s,234; Unitarian, $4,000; Total, rs,
41O, 1925.
In addition, the Sunday school en-
rollment is 9,71S,432; Young Mems
Christian association, 23s, 56S. making
a grand total of 35,129, 257.