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| Selected Speeches |
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| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - September 2, 1965 |
We are pleased to find, as you have already stated, that the initiative taken
in rendering services to Our country both in regard to health betterment
and in helping the disable, by Our Foundation, whose progress and duty
We follow closely, has been quite satisfactory. Yet, it is quite obvious that
in order to open and extend branches of welfare organizations in the
various provinces so as to enable Our people to get a first-rate medical
assistance, it is also necessary to be assured of the general co-operation of
the people together with financial security.
We do not intend to reserve the cause of welfare donations for Ourselves
but also to inspire others to do the same. It is with this in mind that We
freely granted Our personal estates and properties. Besides, it is expected
of every one of you who have assumed this holy responsibility, that the
service you render is not founded on the mere struggle to earn your
wages, but on the wholehearted understanding of the unfortunate
situations of your fellow human beings who you should serve with
sympathy, conviction and faith. The natural origin of every man being
man himself and thus equal through creation, the only difference lies in the
opportunities made available. Nowadays, science has made possible
complex inventions which are put at the service of man. Yet, however
precise these instruments, including computers, may be in their service,
they obviously lack those perfecting human characteristics of sympathy,
goodness, generosity and selflessness -- all of which God in His ultimate
wisdom granted only to human beings. Although man has found
assistance for himself in these machines, his superiority lies in the fact that
he is their inventor and he himself is the instrument of God.
To follow up the case of a patient in agony with unfailing tenacity
regardless of whether he is rich or under-priviledged, to constantly help
the destitute both economically and/or spiritually, these should be the
prevailing aim of such persons with your type of duties as it should be of
any employee. What is more, an individual who is responsible for
humanitarian activities, or one determined to render welfare services must
be prepared to face with the utmost patience and foresightedness, the
misunderstandings that might arise from the person or persons in need of
help.
Money is an instrument, but, there is no duty that can be fully
accomplished with its mere persuasive power. The work of the welfare
organization is not merely the distribution of money, but also the giving of
personal warmth, of wholehearted service and spiritual encouragement.
The time we spend in the fulfilment of such duties as the determining
factor which demonstrates that the essence of one's individual values is
not obliterated.
We would like to mention with gratitude such names as Woizero
Woleteyes, the heirs of Leeke-Mequas Haile Mariam, Woizero Laketch
Birknesh, Sheh Seyeed Abiyu, Mr. J. G. Shah who is a resident of our
country, and others who have donated properties to this Foundation. The
actions of these people assure them both spiritual satisfaction and a
historically important place for their names will be recorded together with
their welfare accomplishments. We also thank the German Federal
Republic, the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of England, and
international organizations which have extended their help towards this
Foundation.
Since it is only your conscience and your Creator who keep watch and
closely control your various activities, We hope that those of you who are
at present serving or will be required to serve in this Foundation, will
render your services and fulfil your assignments with complete and
undivided devotion and conscientiousness.
We pray to God that He may grant His blessings to the welfare duties
being accomplished through this Foundation.
in rendering services to Our country both in regard to health betterment
and in helping the disable, by Our Foundation, whose progress and duty
We follow closely, has been quite satisfactory. Yet, it is quite obvious that
in order to open and extend branches of welfare organizations in the
various provinces so as to enable Our people to get a first-rate medical
assistance, it is also necessary to be assured of the general co-operation of
the people together with financial security.
We do not intend to reserve the cause of welfare donations for Ourselves
but also to inspire others to do the same. It is with this in mind that We
freely granted Our personal estates and properties. Besides, it is expected
of every one of you who have assumed this holy responsibility, that the
service you render is not founded on the mere struggle to earn your
wages, but on the wholehearted understanding of the unfortunate
situations of your fellow human beings who you should serve with
sympathy, conviction and faith. The natural origin of every man being
man himself and thus equal through creation, the only difference lies in the
opportunities made available. Nowadays, science has made possible
complex inventions which are put at the service of man. Yet, however
precise these instruments, including computers, may be in their service,
they obviously lack those perfecting human characteristics of sympathy,
goodness, generosity and selflessness -- all of which God in His ultimate
wisdom granted only to human beings. Although man has found
assistance for himself in these machines, his superiority lies in the fact that
he is their inventor and he himself is the instrument of God.
To follow up the case of a patient in agony with unfailing tenacity
regardless of whether he is rich or under-priviledged, to constantly help
the destitute both economically and/or spiritually, these should be the
prevailing aim of such persons with your type of duties as it should be of
any employee. What is more, an individual who is responsible for
humanitarian activities, or one determined to render welfare services must
be prepared to face with the utmost patience and foresightedness, the
misunderstandings that might arise from the person or persons in need of
help.
Money is an instrument, but, there is no duty that can be fully
accomplished with its mere persuasive power. The work of the welfare
organization is not merely the distribution of money, but also the giving of
personal warmth, of wholehearted service and spiritual encouragement.
The time we spend in the fulfilment of such duties as the determining
factor which demonstrates that the essence of one's individual values is
not obliterated.
We would like to mention with gratitude such names as Woizero
Woleteyes, the heirs of Leeke-Mequas Haile Mariam, Woizero Laketch
Birknesh, Sheh Seyeed Abiyu, Mr. J. G. Shah who is a resident of our
country, and others who have donated properties to this Foundation. The
actions of these people assure them both spiritual satisfaction and a
historically important place for their names will be recorded together with
their welfare accomplishments. We also thank the German Federal
Republic, the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of England, and
international organizations which have extended their help towards this
Foundation.
Since it is only your conscience and your Creator who keep watch and
closely control your various activities, We hope that those of you who are
at present serving or will be required to serve in this Foundation, will
render your services and fulfil your assignments with complete and
undivided devotion and conscientiousness.
We pray to God that He may grant His blessings to the welfare duties
being accomplished through this Foundation.
| Chapter XV |
| Haile Selassie I Foundation - Inauguration Sep. 02, 1965 |
| Culture |