I think you are quite right in commencing with a religious service a
ceremony such as I am about to perform. These institutions are
established for the welfare of the inhabitants, and we begin with a
religious service in order to impress on those who are going to use
the Hall hereafter that, whatever is done inside the Hall should be
done in a way which is really a Christian way. It will not affect in
any way the feelings of those who attend for amusement or instruction,
except to prompt a religious feeling which we all wish to have some
time or other in our lives. I was very pleased to be able to come
to-day and perform the opening ceremony. A little pressure was put on
me because at my time of life you don't recover from any extra
exertion.
I do like this term of Brotherhood. Those who have arrived at my time
of life know what it is to have and to value a really sympathising
brother. I am referring to my own dear brother, who has recently left
us. Throughout our lives we did not have a single word of difference
or a thought of difference, and the word "Brother" will draw me out
at any time. It is the idea of universal feeling that everybody is
trying his or her best in this world in whatever he or she may be
trying to do--it is the feeling of Brotherhood which helps us to get
that feeling.
_Speech at the Victoria Brotherhood, Newport,
March 4th, 1910._