It is possible that I am very tolerant in my religious opinions. But seeing that we are now living under perfect tolerance, and that the religious wants of the people must be supplied, I think it is the duty of those who own property to see that there is accommodation for the religious needs of all who live thereon. As science advances there must be considerable differences of opinion on religion in a large and important town like Cardiff. A great man once said that tolerance was simply indifference; I do not agree with him. I think it is possible to be tolerant without being indifferent to one's own opinions. There is a great leaning nowadays towards scientific religion. Education is advancing very rapidly, and philosophical men are trying to make reasons for every line in Scripture and every line in the Prayer Book. That may be useful in a way, but I cannot help thinking that many books written lately by men who are very learned, and with very good intent, will, if circulated among the young of the country, do a great deal of harm. I look forward to an increase of religious feeling throughout the country, and I shall be always ready to assist, as far as I can, in erecting chapels and other places for religious instruction and religious worship.

Chapel, Cardiff,
September 14th, 1894.

I have never posed as one made of that stuff of which martyrs are made—and perhaps my remarks may offend some, or scandalize others. But I would rather see any place of worship in the town than none at all, I will go so far as to say I would rather see a Mohammedan mosque in the town than no place of worship at all. I have the greatest possible admiration for faith of any sort. Early in my life I had occasion to look with admiration upon the faith even of a Mohammedan. I have listened to the minister of the mosque calling the faithful to prayers two, three or more times a day, and I have seen the Mohammedans in the street go down on their knees and say their prayers in front of everybody. I have seen a regiment of Mohammedans on the march, and at the hour of sunset every man in the regiment would kneel on his carpet and say his prayers. Those were soldiers who were not afraid of their faith, though it might have been the wrong one. I have watched a poor Italian peasant kneel on the roadside and offer his small tribute to the shrine. He was not afraid of praying before anybody; but I am afraid that some of us would rather be seen with our hands in somebody else's pocket than kneel down and say our prayers in the Club-room.

Foundation-stone Laying at Baptist Church, Cardiff,
June 14th, 1894.