Page:The World's Parliament of Religions Vol 1.djvu/196

1 68 HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT. to be hoped that they would result in destroying the obnox- ious Geary law. The Chairman then introduced the Right Rev. R. Shibata, High Priest of the Shinto Religion in Japan. The Japanese delegate arose and bowed profoundly. Dr. Barrows then read his address, as follows : I am here in the pulpit again to express my thanks for the kindness, hearty welcome and applause I have been enjoying at your hands ever since I came here to Chicago. You have shown great sympathy with my humble opinion, and your newspaper men have talked of me in high terms. I am happy that I have had the honor of listening to so many famous scholars and preachers forwarding the same opinion of the necessity of universal brotherhood and humanity. I am deeply impressed with the peace, polite- ness and education which characterize your audiences. But is it not too sad that such pleasures are always short-lived ? I, who made acquaintance with you only yesterday, have to part with you to-day though reluctantly. This Parliament of Religion is the most remarkable event in history, and it is the first honor in my life to have the privilege of appearing before you to pour out my humble idea, which was so well accepted by you all. You like me, but 1 think it is not the mortal Shibata that you like, but you like the immor- tal idea of universal brotherhood. What I wish to do is to assist you in carrying out the plan of forming the universal brotherhood under the one roof of truth. You know unity is power. I, who can speak no language but Japanese, may help you in crown- ing that grand project with success. To come here I had many obstacles to overcome, many struggles to make. You must not think I represent all Shintoism. I only represent my own Shinto sect. But who dares to destroy universal fraternity? So long as the sun and moon continue to shine, all friends of truth must be willing to fight courageously for this great principle. 1 do not know that I shall ever see you again in this life, but our souls have been so pleasantly united here that I hope they may be again united in the life hereafter. Now I pray that the eight million deities protecting the beautiful cherry tree country of Japan may protect you and your Government forever, and with this I bid you good-by. Rev. George T. Candlin, the English missionary, who had been received with great favor by the Parliament, spoke with much feeling his parting words, and was given an ovation of applause as he retired to repeat his kind words for Chicago in the Hall of Washington. He said : It is with deepest joy that I take my part in the congratulations of this closing day. The Parliament has more than justified my most sanguine