John Henry Barrows

“ The buildings, planned by the leading American architects, which shelter not only the riches of the soil, the sea and the mine, but also the industries and machineries and inventions of the world, which are crowded with the jeweled and silken marvels of Europe and Asia and the floral wonders of the Amazon and of the forests of New Zealand, were made still more beautiful by the pomp of the decorator's art and the triumphs of the sculptor's genius. ”

“ I ask leave to add the expression of my profound conviction that the project is an admirable one, and that it ought to receive the encouragement of all who really love truth and charity and who wish to further their reign among mankind. It is only by a friendly and brotherly comparison of convictions that reasonable men can ever come to an agreement about the all-important truths which are the foundation of religion, and that an end can be put to the religious divisions and antagonisms which are a grief to our Father in Heaven. ”

“ Assuredly a Congress of eminent men gathered together to declare, as your address sets forth, "what they have to offer or suggest for the world's betterment, what light Religion has to throw on the labor problems, the educational questions, and the perplexing social conditions of our times," cannot but result in good to our common country. I rejoice, accordingly, to learn that the project for a Religious Congress in Chicago, in 1893, has already won the sympathies and enlisted the active cooperation of those in the front rank of human thought and progress, even in other lands than ours. ”

“ Why should the ivory hunters in the forests of Africa and the ivory cutters in the thronged cities of Japan and China, the silk weavers of Lyons and the shawl makers of Cashmere, the designers of Kensington, the lace weavers of Brussels and the Indian tribes of South America, the cannon founders of Germany, the silver miners of Mexico, the ship makers of the Clyde and the canoe builders of the Mackenzie River be invited to a World's Exposition, and the representatives of those higher forces which had made civilization be excluded? ”

“ It was objected, by one representative of the Christian faith, that Religion is such in its nature that it cannot be exhibited. But surely, the answer was made, the great part which Religion has had in human history can be impressively told, its achievements can be narrated, its vast influence over art, ethics, education, government, can be set forth, its present condition can be indicated, its wide-reaching missionary activities can be eloquently described, and, perhaps, best of all, the spirit of mutual love, of cosmopolitan fraternity, can be disclosed and largely augmented. ”

“ As the discussion proceeded they reached the conclusion that there could be only one perfect Religion, that the perfect Religion must reveal a perfect God, that it must assure man the greatest possible ultimate good, that it must bring God into the most loving and lovable relations with humanity, and that this could be achieved only by his taking upon himself a human form, and suffering for men. ”

“ Such an assemblage of intelligent and conscientious men, presenting their religious convictions without minimizing, without acrimony, without controversy, with love of truth and humanity, will be an honorable event in the history of religion and cannot fail to accomplish much good. ”

“ They called attention to the creative and regulative power of Religion as a factor in human development. They expressed a desire for the cooperation of the representatives of all the great historic faiths; they believed that the time was ripe for new manifestations of human fraternity.
Humanity, though sundered by oceans and languages and widely diverse forms of Religion, was one in need if not altogether in hope. ”

“ Even a museum of idols and objects used in ceremonial worship would attract beyond any other museum. Models and illustrations of the great temples of the world and of the world's history would be in a high degree instructive. Add to these things the living word of living teachers, and the whole world may well pause to listen. ”

“ But Religion, like the white light of Heaven, has been broken into many-colored fragments by the prisms of men. One of the objects of the Parliament of Religions has been to change this many-colored radiance back into the white light of heavenly truth. "Our little systems have their day; They have their day and cease to be, They are but broken lights of Thee ”

“ Others favored it from the feeling that their own religion had been misunderstood, and that they had cherished important truths which others would do well to heed.
Multitudes of the more progressive and broader-minded men championed the Parliament from the feeling that they, as Christians, might wisely and rightly show a more brotherly spirit towards the representatives of other faiths. Furthermore, the Parliament received the allegiance of many because they were assured that this conference would have a tendency to draw Christians more closely together. ”

“ Further acquaintance with your plans and with the central object of all that is being done has largely, if not entirely, removed such misgivings, and I am glad to be able to heartily approve the plan, and shall cheerfully do all in my power in this corner of the earth to aid you. ”

“ It became evident that multitudes would be eager to hear the representative leaders of human thought, and to meet the experts, the famous teachers and preachers, whose words had become a part of their nobler lives. ”

“ It early became evident that the Columbian Exposition was to be the most comprehensive and brilliant display of man's material progress which the ages have known. More than fifty nations were soon actively enlisted in the preparations for the great Festival of Peace. ”

“ Disclaiming any purpose to create a temper of indifferentism, the Committee urged that a friendly conference of eminent men, strong in their personal convictions, would be useful in showing what are the supreme truths, and what light Religion affords tc the great problems of the time. ”

“ E. G. Hirsch was the minister of Sinai Temple and the learned Professor of Rabbinic Literature in the University of Chicago. Rev. Dr. Frank M. Bristol was one of the most eloquent Methodists of the North-
west. Rev. William M. Lawrence, D.D., the pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Chicago, was far-famed as a successful preacher. Rev. Dr. F. A. Noble, of Union Park Congregational Church, was one of the prominent leaders of his
HON. CHARLES CARROLL BONNEY.
"WHAT MEN DEEMED IMPOSSIBLE, GOD HAS FINALLY WROUGHT. THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE ACTUALLY MET IN A GREAT AND IMPOSING ASSEMBLY ”