Page:The World's Parliament of Religions Vol 1.djvu/120

92 HISTORY OF THE PARLIAxMENT. different religious creeds, which have sometimes ended in war. But that time has passed away, and things have changed with advancing civilization. It is a great blessing, not only to the religions themselves, but also to human affairs, that the different religionists can thus gather in a friendly way and exchange their thoughts and opinions on the important problems of the age. 1 trust that these repeated meetings will gradually increase the fraternal relations between the different religionists in investigating the truths of the universe, and be instrumental in uniting all religions of the world, and in bringing all hostile nations into peaceful relations by leading them to the way of perfect justice. When he had finished reading, Dr. Barrows introduced four Buddhist priests from Japan, namely, Banriu Yatsubuchi, Zitzuzen Ashitsu, Shaku Soyen and Horin Toki. The priests arose and remained standing while Z. Noguchi, their inter- preter, said: I thank you on behalf of the Japanese Buddhist priests for the welcome you have given us and for the kind invitation to participate in the proceed- ings of this Congress. Dr. Barrows explained that these Buddhists were bishops in their own land, and had been touched with the kind greet- ings and hospitalities they had received since arriving in America, several weeks before. Count A. Bernstorff of Germany, while disclaiming any offi- cial authority either from state or from church, spoke as a Ger- man and as an Evangelical Protestant, in a sincere and weighty address. SPEECH OF COUNT BERNSTORFF. Let me begin by stating my great pleasure — and I know that I am not alone with this feeling in my country — that for the first time Religion should be officially connected with a world's exhibition. Religion, the most vital question for every human being, is generally laid aside at such gatherings and men are too apt to forget the claims of God in the bustle of life. Here, in a free country, where the Church is not supported by the government, and yet where the churches have more influence on public life than anywhere else, it has been recognized that such a large influx of men should not meet without paying attention to the question of all questions. This Par- liament is, therefore, a testimony, and one whose voice will, I trust, be heard all over the earth, that men live not by bread alone, but that the care for the immortal soul is the paramount question for every man, the question which ought to be treated before all others when men of all nations meet. ...