The sun does not shine for a few trees, and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. The lonely pine on the mountain-top waves its sombre boughs and cries, 'Thou art my sun.' And the little meadow violet lifts its cup of blue, and whispers with its perfumed breath, 'Thou art my sun.' And the grain in a thousand fields rustles in the wind, and makes answer, 'Thou art my sun.' So God sits effulgent in heaven, not for a favored few, but for the universe of life; and there is no creature so poor or so low that he may not look up with childish confidence and say, 'My Father, Thou art mine.

Everyone has conscience enough to hate; few have religion enough to love.

A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.

The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness. It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

Reason is a permanent blessing of God to the soul. Without it there can be no large religion.

A man's true state of power and riches is to be in himself.

The tidal wave of God's providence is carrying liberty throughout the globe.