OPENS LIBRARY AND NIGHT SCHOOL
..... Loyalty inspires understanding,
and understanding co-operation; these are the clearest evidence of strength.
But the solid basis for all lies in education. It is education which allows
people to live together, and makes them avoid the pitfalls of immorality, and
induces respect for the law. Truly the attainment of these high aims is based
on education, the helping of people to live together, to avoid indulgence,
immorality and lawlessness .....
When We founded the Ethiopian National
Library Our wish was that the Library should have many branches in the
provinces and districts. As it is necessary to increase libraries in order to
increase the number of readers, today We inaugurate this one so that it may be
an accommodation for those advanced in their education and the night school
with it for those who wish to continue further studies.
This Library and Night School is designed to serve those who fall at the
present time outside of the reach of the National Board of Education which is
devoting its efforts in the education of the youth. We should like to assure
them that using these facilities, with hard work, they can improve their
education and catch up to a great extent the time lost by the unavoidable
interruption of their education.
With hard work and ambition human beings can achieve any goal. As it is
essential that the youth should begin their schooling before seven, adults
might find it essential to attend school before they are fifty, and derive
benefit from so doing. The mastery of the art of learning is never denied to
those who will devote themselves to study. You must realize that one’s
education is also for the benefit of one’s country. It does not lead to the
neglect of your country’s custom nor to the neglect of your faith in God. These
can only come about as a result of an evil manner.
If both youth and adults contemplate seriously their education and work
assiduously they will together be of great assistance to their country.
Therefore, work hard and constructively. If you spend the time for attendance
at night school in other unworthy places, understand that you are chasing
phantoms and following an illusive dream.
The name of this Institute, “Your Light is Shining Today”, is inspired
by a quotation from St. Luke, Chapter 19, verses 42 and 45 which speaks about
one’s opportunities. “If thou hadst known even thou, at least in this thy day,
the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes
.....”
This name is given to inspire the type of work and the measure of achievement
which should flow therefrom. We thank the Director and the teachers in
anticipation hoping that they might fulfil Our hopes.
March
30, 1948.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 68 –
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