People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1893 — IN MANY TONGUES. [ARTICLE]

IN MANY TONGUES.

God’s Praise* Are Bounded at the Parliament of All Religions—lnspiring Scene* at Its Opening in Chicago. Chicago, Sept 12. —A processional in which the religions of the world were represented marked the opening ot the world’s parliament of religions at the Art Institute. It was a processional that had a world of meaning in it; one that would have been impossible not many years ago. Jew nfarched with Gentile and Catholic marched with Protestant The religious beliefs of India, of China and of Japan were represented, as well as those of - the English-speaking nations. All, attired in their priestly robes and wearing the insignia of .their office, marched in peace and fellowship to the platform, while the audience rose and cheered at the sight First came Cardinal Gibbons, escorted by President Bonney. Then came Mrs. Potter Palmer and Mrs. Charles Henrotin, representing the board of lady managers, and then the following with their suites: Archbishop Redwood, of New Zealand; Archbishop Dionysius Latss, of Zante, Greece; Rev. John Henry Barrows, of Chicago; Archbishop Feehan: Count A. Bernstorff, of Berlin; Dr. Carl von Bergen, ot Sweden; Prof. C. N. Chaharar, H. Dharmapala and P. C. Mozoomdar, of India; Rev. Augusta J. Chapin, of Chicago; Rev. Alexander D. McKenzie; Pung Quang Yu, of China: Dr. E. G. Hirsch, of Chicago; Miss Jeanne Serabji and Khersedji Laugraua, of Bombay; Bishop B. W. Arnett, and Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant.

Even more inspiring was the scene when the whole vast audience arose and joined in singing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” and later when Cardinal Gibbons led those of all nations and all religions in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. There was not a vacant seat in the hall and the walls were fringed with people standing up when Clarence Eddy took his seat at the organ and played a couple of selections preliminary to the processional with which the proceedings were opened. President Bonney made the address of welcome. He said theyishould all give thanks for being able to take part in so granda'congress, one that so fully exemplified peace and progress and which would have so great an influence on the world. He said they all met with the respect for the religions of each other. While all met as men on an equal plane, there was a desire to treat everyone with that formality and courtesy to which his rank in his own church entitled him. After reviewing the programme of the congress Mr. Bonney welcomed all in the name of the brotherhood of religion. Rev. John Henry Barrows, chairman of the committee on organization, then addressed the congress. He said that this meeting had become a grand new factor in the history of the human race that would never be obliterated. Never before had such a congress been undertaken, and not long ago it would have been deemed impossible to carry it to successful completion. The man who would advance his own faith must first discover the truths in other faiths. He hoped the congress would prove more spiritual and ethical than theological. After an address of welcome by Archbishop □ Feehan, of Chicago, Cardinal Gibbons spoke. He said that though all did not agree in matters of faith, there was one platform on which all were united, that was chairity, humanity and benevolence. He said he could not impress too strongly on every one that each was his brother’s keeper. That was the whole theory of humanity. If Christ had cried with Cain: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” we would still be walking in darkness. The cardinal was followed by Rev. Augusta J. Chapin, who welcomed the congress on behalf of woman, and she in turn by the Archbishop of Zante. Other speakers were Protop Chunder Mazoombar, of Calcutta, President Higinbotham, of the Columbian exposition, Pung Quang Yu, of the Chinese legation at Washington, Prince Wolhousky, of Russia, Rt. Rev. Reuchi Shibata, of Japan, Count A. Bernstoff, of Berlin, Rev. G. Bonet Maury, of France, Archbishop Redwood, of New Zealand and H. Dharmapala, of India. At the afternoon session Dr- Carl von Bergen, of Stockholm, spoke for the Lutherans of his country. He was followed by Prof. Minas Tcheraz, of London, the leader of the Armenian church: Prof Chakravarti, of Allahabad, the distinguished theosophist, was another of the East Indians who rather captured the day by their learned eloquence. Dr. Alfred Momeri spoke for the church of England. Other speakers were Swami Dvivi Kananda (a Brahminical Hindoo educated at Harvard), Principal Grant, of Canada; Miss Jeanne Serabji, of Bombay; B. B. Aagarkar, of Bombay, and Virchand Gaudhi, leader in the jain faith.