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| HE came into the Camp of Creed, | |
| The Sword of Strength within his hand, | |
| To scatter forth the bigot breed | |
| And smite them from the Promised Land; | |
| To hew each hoary falsehood down | 5 |
| And humble ancient arrogance, | |
| And Error fled before his frown | |
| While Truth was glad beneath his glance. | |
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| He labored where his Duty led— | |
| Unflinching stood in ev’ry storm | 10 |
| That beat about his fearless head, | |
| And thundered forth the word “Reform!” | |
| Earth’s farthest nations heard his voice | |
| Unto the utmost purple seas, | |
| And all found reason to rejoice | 15 |
| From Polar lands to Pyrenees. | |
| |
| From depths of long, nigrescent nights | |
| We grasp the gospel that he gave, | |
| A message come from starry heights, | |
| Sent forth to succor and to save. | 20 |
| If Jew or Gentile matters not, | |
| For rights and righteousness of each, | |
| Alike was wrought his toiling thought, | |
| And flamed the splendor of his speech. | |
| |
| Our reaching reason gropes along | 25 |
| His lofty path toward the light, | |
| Consoled and strengthened by the song | |
| His spirit sends us from his flight. | |
| We pray our searching souls may find | |
| The higher things for which he stood— | 30 |
| He fought for freedom of the mind | |
| And for a broader brotherhood. | |
| |
| A modern Moses sent to lead | |
| His people up to lustrous lands, | |
| To free them from the chains of creed | 35 |
| And superstition’s cruel bands; | |
| To guide uncertain feet from out | |
| The darkened paths in which they stray, | |
| Amid the desert sands of doubt | |
| Unto the everlasting day. | 40 |
| |
| He told not of God’s wrath, but taught | |
| The lesson of His love instead, | |
| Till narrow tenets came to naught | |
| And fierce fanaticism fled. | |
| Who knew his mental majesty, | 45 |
| Or felt his nature’s gentle grace, | |
| From pious prejudice was free | |
| Nor nursed a senseless hate of race. | |
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| Yes, he was great as men are great | |
| Who scorn the cramping lines of creed, | 50 |
| Who leave us still our earth’s estate | |
| Yet fill our nature’s inmost need. | |
| And so with each recurring Spring, | |
| While roses blow and lilies bloom, | |
| The world will tender tribute bring | 55 |
| To lay upon his hallowed tomb. | |
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