I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight Because my conscience leaves me no other choice With the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together Time comes when silence is betrayal Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us If it is, let us trace its movements And pray that our own inner being, may be sensitive to its guidance For we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us
Many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path Such questions mean that the inquirers have not really known me For the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence I cannot be silent Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable
The truth of these words is beyond doubt
If I simply said that I must be true to my conviction That I share with all men the calling to be a son of the living God I cannot be silent
The truth of these words is beyond doubt
I come to this platform tonight to make a passionate plea to my beloved nation I cannot be silent [4x]