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 40 HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT. President Merrill E. Gates, of Amherst College, in accept- ing membership on the Advisory Council, wrote : I shall be glad to be of service in any way within my power in promot- ing the worthy object which the Council has in view. "T'he late Rev. Dr. A. P. Peabody, of Harvard, wrote : I believe that nothing can contribute so largely to the honor of Religion, to the establishment of Christian faith where it has in any way suffered eclipse or decline, and to the progress of effective religious and Christian work among those outside the pale of Christian instruction and influence, as a mutually good understanding among those of every name who believe in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Prof. D. W. Simon, of the Congregational Theological Hall, Edinburgh, wrote : The idea of the Congresses commands my heartiest sympathy. I trust it may be fully realized. If it be, I cannot doubt it will greatly promote that brotherhood of the nations for which so many of the best men of the race are longing and working. While sitting last year on the shore of your wonderful lake, I fell into dreaming of the day when the English-speaking branches of the human race should be federated. Your dream includes mine— is grander. May it be much more than a dream, and that soon ! Any help I can render is at your disjjosal. Prof. E. Commer, D.D., LL.D., of the University of Kres- lau, wrote : I trust your excellent ideas will meet with great success. I shall be happy to promote the work so far as I am able, and if possible be present . at the catholic meetings in 1893. President H. Q. Butterfield, D.D., of Olivet College, Mich- igan, wrote : The material exhibit will be magnificent beyond the power of words to describe, but without the quickening presence of the Congresses it will be body without soul. Prof. John Bascom, LL.D., of Williams College, wrote: The work proposed seems to me to be the culminating expression of that concord of thought and action sought for by the Columbian Exposi- tion, It is likely to receive the cordial support of all who believe that peaceful counsel is the most perfect medium of truth. Sir Edwin Arnold, K.C.I.E., C.S.L, wrote, under date of December 15, 1891 : I accept with pleasure the honor of my nomination to the Council of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the Columbian Exposition, sympathizing as I do heartily with the principles of the Parliament of Religions.