BROTHERHOOD

Is brotherhood to flesh confined?

Is there no kinship of the soul?

To have it thus, I am resigned,

If‘ tis my God-appointed goal;

For there are those whom I hold dear,

Who claim with me a common sire,

That we, with one accord, revere,

And love holds out midst flood and fire.

But is the family so small

Of which I fondly claim a part?

Is there no other I may call

A brother, and within my heart

Cherish for him, whate'er his name,

Or rank, or color, or his creed,

A love of pure and changeless flame,

And feel I render but his meed?

Thank God for brotherhood so broad

That all the human race may share

A kinship, never yet outlawed,

Tho’ types of it have been too rare.

But bigotry is doomed to die,

And hate, a relic of the past;

The golden age is drawing nigh,

And all one family at last!