Rev. Augusta J. Chapin, D.D., Chairman of the Woman's Committee and a faithful friend of the Parliament, was then introduced. She said:
The last seventeen days have seemed to many of us the fulfilment of a dream, nay, the fulfilment of a long cherished prophecy. The seers of ancient time foretold a day when there should be concord, something like what we have seen among elements beforetime discordant.
We have heard of the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the solidarity of the human race, until these great words and truths have penetrated our minds and sunken into our hearts as never before. They will henceforth have larger meaning. No one of us all but has been intellectually strengthened and spiritually uplifted.
The last moments of the great Parliament are passing. We who welcomed now speed the parting guests. We are glad you came, O wise men of the East. With your wise words, your large, tolerant spirit, and your gentle ways, we have been glad to sit at your feet and learn of you in these things. We are glad to have seen you face to face, and we shall count you henceforth more than ever our friends and co-workers in the great things of Religion.
As Miss Chapin took her seat President Bonney introduced the Apostle of Freedom, the author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, of Boston. There were cheers and waving of handkerchiefs and great tumult when the features of the venerable woman appeared at the desk. When quiet was restored she addressed the audience as follows:
Dear Friends,—I wish I had brought you some great and supreme gift of wisdom. I have brought you a heart brimming with love and thankfulness for this crown of the ages, so blessed in itself and so full of a more blessed prophecy. But I did not expect to speak to-night. I will only give you two or three lines which very briefly relate a dream, a true dream that I had lately:
Before, I saw the hand divine
Outstretched for human weal.
Its judgments stern in righteousness,
Its mercy swift to heal;
And as I looked with hand to help
The golden net outspread.
To gather all we deem alive
And all we mourn as dead;
And as I mused a voice did say:
"Ah, not a single mesh;
This binds in harmony divine
All spirit and all flesh."
