During his presidency Harry Truman took part in a ceremony for the dedication of a Presbyterian Church located in Washington, DC where many other past presidents had attended during their term in office. He took this time to give some views concerning the American people’s relationship to God and the world. Every point that President Truman man during that speech is still applicable in the world we live in today. Here is what he said in part:
We talk a lot today about freedom —- freedom for the individual and freedom among the nations. Freedom for the human soul is, indeed, the most important principle of our civilization. We must always remember, however, that the freedom we are talking about is based upon moral principles. Without a firm moral foundation, freedom degenerates quickly into selfishness and license.
I do not think that nobody can study the history of this nation of ours —- study it deeply and earnestly— without becoming convinced that divine providence has played a great part in it. I have the feeling that God has created us and brought us to our present position or power and strength for some great purpose.
It is not given to us to know fully what that purpose is. but I think we may be sure of one thing. That is, that our country is intended to do all we can, in cooperation with other nations, to create peace and preserve peace in this world. It is given to us to defend the spiritual values, the moral code, against the vast forces of evil that seek to destroy them. This is a hard task. It is not one that we have asked for —– but we need not be afraid if we have the faith.
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