When at last through the darkness a light shines plain,
When a voice calls hail, and a friend draws rein
With an arm for the heavy load!
“For life is the chance of a friend or two
This side the journey’s goal.
Though the world be a desert the long night through,
Yet the gay flowers bloom and the sky grows blue
When a soul salutes a soul.”
In religious matters he was extremely liberal, feeling that “It is what we do, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, more than what we believe, that will be important in the final round-up.” In June, 1893, he said, in his address of welcome at the opening of the World’s First Parliament of Religions:
“The meeting of so many illustrious and learned men under such circumstances evidences the kindly spirit and feeling that exists throughout the world. To me this is the proudest work of our Exposition. Whatever may be the differences in the religions you represent, there is a sense in which we are all alike. There is a common plane on which we are all brothers. We owe our being to conditions that are exactly the same. Our journey through this world is by the same route. We have in common the same senses, hopes, ambitions, joys and sorrows; and these to my mind argue strongly and almost conclusively a common destiny.