ON THE BIBLE
His Imperial Majesty Haile Salassie I,
Emperor of Ethiopia, says:
WE
IN ETHIOPIA HAVE ONE OF THE OLDEST VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE,
but
however old the version may be, in whatever language it might
be written, the Word remains one and the same. It transcends
all boundaries of empires and all conceptions of race. It
is eternal.
No doubt you all remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles
of how Philip baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first
Ethiopian on record to have followed Christ, and from that
day onwards the Word of God has continued to grow in the hearts
of Ethiopians. And I might say for myself that from early
childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible and my love
for it increases with the passage of time. All through my
troubles I have found it a cause of infinite comfort.
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest" who can resist an invitation so full
of compassion?
Because of this personal experience in the goodness of the
Bible, I was resolved that all my countrymen should also share
its great blessing and that by reading the Bible they should
find truth for themselves. Therefore, I caused a new translation
to be made from our ancient language into the language which
the old and the young understood and spoke.
Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before
him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting.
But he must realise that the Bible is his refuge, and the
rallying point for all humanity. In it man will find the solution
of his present difficulties and guidance for his future action,
and unless he accepts with clear conscienceof the Bible and
its great Message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part
I glory in the Bible.
CHRIST | RELIGION | MORALITY |