Page:The World's Parliament of Religions Vol 1.djvu/194

1 66 HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT. You are the pioneers in human history. You have achieved an assembly of the world's religions, and we believe your next step will be towards the ideal goal of this Parliament, the realization of international justice. We our- selves desire to witness its fulfilment in our lifetime, and to greet you again with our utmost cheers and deepest admiration. By your kind hospitality we have forgotten that we are strangers, and we are very much attached to this city. To leave here makes us feel as if we were leaving our own native country. To part with you makes us feel as if we were parting with our own sisters and brothers. When we think of our homeward journey we cannot help shedding tears. Farewell, ladies and gentlemen. The cold winter is coming, and we earnestly wish that you may be in your good health. Farewell. "The oldest and greatest of empires," said Dr. Barrows, " is China. The Hon. Pung Kwang Yu, Special Commis- sioner to this Congress, will now address you." Instead of reading his own speech, Mr. Pung Kwang Yu simply arose and saluted the assembly and handed his manuscript to Dr. Bar- rows, who read it. He said : It is unnecessary for me to touch upon the existing relations between the Government of China and that of the United States. There is no doubt that the Chinese Minister at Washington and the honorable Secretary of State are well able to deal with every question arising between the two countries in a manner satisfactory and honorable to both. As I am a dele- gate to the Religious Congresses, I cannot but feel that all religious people are my friends. I have a favor to ask of all the religious people of America, and that is that they will treat, hereafter, all my countrymen just as they have treated me. I shall be a hundred times more grateful to them for the kind treatment of my countrymen than of myself. I am sure that the Amer- icans in China receive just such considerate treatment from the cultured people of China as I have received from you. The majority of my coun- trymen in this country are honest and law-abiding. Christ teaches us that it is not enough to love one's brethren only. I am sure that all religious people will not think this request too extravagant. It is my sincere hope that no national differences will ever interrupt the friendly relations between the two governments, and that the two peoples will equally enjoy the protection and blessings of Heaven. I intend to leave this country shortly. I shall take great pleasure in reporting to my Govern- ment the proceedings of this Parliament upon my return. With this I desire to bid all my friends farewell. After reading Pung Kwang Yu's address, Dr. Barrows remarked that the words of the distinguished Chinese dip- lomat would be imparted to our Government, and it was