Árdís - 01.01.1951, Page 22

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ÁRDÍS
voice of the people’s conscience, and that spiritual culture is truly
the greatest power in Democracy and the most important in a
modern world. Church authorities here, as elsewhere, are em-
phatic in their condemnation of atheism and the tyranny of Com-
munism. We hope and pray that the time will never come when
that religious freedom will hampered. We pray that Canadians
will never be doomed to go through religious persecutions endured
by some of our fellow Christians in some other countries. May our
country be “glorious and free” in that respect.
The future seems promising and bright. We can listen at any
time and hear our country growing. The very atmosphere seems
rich with promise. May we truly feel the truth of the words spoken
in 1778 by Voltaire, when he was on his way to Paris to die: “The
young are fortunate, they will see great things”. This nation of
14 million people covets no other man’s land, but wishes that all
nations of the world may develop an exalted spirit of cooperation
and harmony. We truly hope that our youth will see great things
in a world where peace reigns and wars have ceased.
Before closing I would like to bring this home to us, a group
of women, members of a Christian organization gathered here from
different communities.
We have made our homes in Canada. Many of us are born here,
others have come from some other country across the ocean.
Naturally we have great respect for the land of our forefathers.
We of the Icelandic group are proud of its culture of more than a
thousand years, its traditions and sagas. You who have come from
other countries have your national culture, equally dear to you
and worthy of being respected. May I say that we are like trees
planted in Canadian soil securing our livelihood and sustenance
from there. Our roots extend deeper and gather food from the
culture and characteristics of the past. The sap thus formed, flows
through the tree to its branches, making it strong and dignified,
beautifying and enriching Canadian life.
But first and foremost we are a religious group. We rejoice
that we are a league of Lutheran women, members of the great
Lutheran church which is the mother church of all the Protestant
churches. Our roots extend deep into that faith of our fathers and
we are conscious of the spiritual strength that that gives us. We are
also conscious of the strength that comes from being united in one