| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| Home | Haile Selassie I | The Church | Rastalogy | Organization | Church Store | Events | Related Links | Contact Us |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. |
| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - November 8, 1961 |
It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had
reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of
Our people.
The Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project
completed.
It is a truism that man is mortal, but his achievements during his brief
sojourn are vital both for the history he leaves behind him and the benefits
derived therefrom by posterity.
This is illustrated by the fact that we are able to meet the demands of our
time primarily because our ancestors, besides transmitting to us the
benefits of tradition, had shed their blood to safeguard the independence
and territorial integrity of our nation.
In this era modern methods, thoughts and ideas have superseded the old
ways; but because of our tradition we have been able to move with the
rythm of the times and still maintain our sense of proportion. Although
much has been devoted to attain the harmonious welding of the old and the
new in a manner acceptable to all -- the old, the young and future
generations -- much still remains to be accomplished. Who would not be
pleased to see his baby born as a five or ten years old youngster? But this
is contrary to nature's plan.
That the results of our consuming efforts for the prosperity of Ethiopia
and the improvement of the standard of Our people should be five or ten
times greater would afford Us the greatest satisfaction. Since, however,
progress must proceed by stages, it is with a great degree of gratification
that We witness the standard of growth and development made by Our
people.
It is a mark of pride that we can recall today some of the many sacrifices
made in the interest and general welfare of Our people. Hence, when they
decided to dedicate a monument in Our honour as a gesture of their love
for Us We proposed instead the establishment of a University, and,
subsequently, laid the cornerstone for the institution on this site.
reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of
Our people.
The Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project
completed.
It is a truism that man is mortal, but his achievements during his brief
sojourn are vital both for the history he leaves behind him and the benefits
derived therefrom by posterity.
This is illustrated by the fact that we are able to meet the demands of our
time primarily because our ancestors, besides transmitting to us the
benefits of tradition, had shed their blood to safeguard the independence
and territorial integrity of our nation.
In this era modern methods, thoughts and ideas have superseded the old
ways; but because of our tradition we have been able to move with the
rythm of the times and still maintain our sense of proportion. Although
much has been devoted to attain the harmonious welding of the old and the
new in a manner acceptable to all -- the old, the young and future
generations -- much still remains to be accomplished. Who would not be
pleased to see his baby born as a five or ten years old youngster? But this
is contrary to nature's plan.
That the results of our consuming efforts for the prosperity of Ethiopia
and the improvement of the standard of Our people should be five or ten
times greater would afford Us the greatest satisfaction. Since, however,
progress must proceed by stages, it is with a great degree of gratification
that We witness the standard of growth and development made by Our
people.
It is a mark of pride that we can recall today some of the many sacrifices
made in the interest and general welfare of Our people. Hence, when they
decided to dedicate a monument in Our honour as a gesture of their love
for Us We proposed instead the establishment of a University, and,
subsequently, laid the cornerstone for the institution on this site.
| Monument To Posterity |
We later bestowed for the youth of Ethiopia the property inherited from
Our father for that project, so that, in conjunction with the contribution
made by Our people this will facilitate the establishment of the University
which will live for posterity as a monument both in Our name and in theirs.
It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had
reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of
Our people. But since God's reasoning differs from that of man, he died
prematurely. Not content to share, as they have done so equally, in Our's
and his Mother's grief, the people of their own free will have donated
money for the erection of a Memorial Hospital in the Duke's honour.
As Kantiba Zewde Gabre Hiwot has explained, a substantial part of the
contributions has come equally form foreign friends of Ethiopia, a fact that
illustrates the love that the Ethiopian people has won abroad.
Man, during his lifetime, is usually absorbed with the problems of his
existence, in which both the material and spiritual phases complement each
other. We have extended much effort in building the moral strength of
Our people which, with God's help is succeeding.
Even though We dedicated this hospital to Prince Makonnen, it is the
people of Ethiopia that will benefit from its services -- those who have
contributed and those who have not. We cherish the hope that whether
We are present or not the Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of
seeing this project completed.
We thank the Board for what you have done. Continue your effort with
the same earnestness. It is only with God's will that man can reach his
ends. May He continue to bestow His assistance for the accomplishment
of this Memorial Hospital.
We express Our gratitude to Our entire people and to those foreign friends
who have contributed so generously to this welfare fund.
Our father for that project, so that, in conjunction with the contribution
made by Our people this will facilitate the establishment of the University
which will live for posterity as a monument both in Our name and in theirs.
It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had
reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of
Our people. But since God's reasoning differs from that of man, he died
prematurely. Not content to share, as they have done so equally, in Our's
and his Mother's grief, the people of their own free will have donated
money for the erection of a Memorial Hospital in the Duke's honour.
As Kantiba Zewde Gabre Hiwot has explained, a substantial part of the
contributions has come equally form foreign friends of Ethiopia, a fact that
illustrates the love that the Ethiopian people has won abroad.
Man, during his lifetime, is usually absorbed with the problems of his
existence, in which both the material and spiritual phases complement each
other. We have extended much effort in building the moral strength of
Our people which, with God's help is succeeding.
Even though We dedicated this hospital to Prince Makonnen, it is the
people of Ethiopia that will benefit from its services -- those who have
contributed and those who have not. We cherish the hope that whether
We are present or not the Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of
seeing this project completed.
We thank the Board for what you have done. Continue your effort with
the same earnestness. It is only with God's will that man can reach his
ends. May He continue to bestow His assistance for the accomplishment
of this Memorial Hospital.
We express Our gratitude to Our entire people and to those foreign friends
who have contributed so generously to this welfare fund.
| Chapter XI |
| Dedication of Prince Makonnen Hospital Nov. 08, 1961 |
| Health |