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Will AmericaWhy are Americans like that’’This question puzzled “Hansi from that day in 1954 when she escaped from the Russian zone across the river into West Germany and was given food and shelter by the enemy — American soldiers Maria Anne Hirschmann. nicknamed “Hansi, had been a leader in Hitler Youth It was there the little peasant orphan girl, unwanted so long, had found she was wanted Then had come defeat, disillusionment, and finally a return to the Jesus she had once called an imposter. A decade later she had come with her family to America.Here the neighbors came with casseroles of food when she was in bed with a new baby. She learned a shower may not be a light rain, or a bath, but “73 beautifully-wrapped gifts for my baby Why do Americans do things like that’She marveled that Americans considered helpfulness onlv naturalHrLooking at statistics, she found that more than 80 per cent of the mission work of the world is done by Americans; more than 80 per cent of the food given out rice, wheat, vitamins - comes from America Ot those who leave the comforts of affluence to work and suffer hardship with people in undeveloped lands. Americans furnish 85 per cent But what makes Americans like that?In world history. Hansi had learned that nations are born and die according to their military strength But in America, “a handful of defenseless people who left everything behind so they might have freedom, freedom to worship God according to their own consciences. had served as the roots of the new nation I found God and freedom so completely intertwined in America's early history that it nearly overwhelmed me. exclaims Hansi. The Christian teachings had so permeated the American culture that even non Christians feel helpfulness to be the normal response to need, she discoveredAfter two decades in America, earning two degrees in American institutions. Hansi is convinced that America’s concepts of freedom were born in its Christian teachings. America's freedom was built on inner control, a control that can never be imposed, a control the Americans seem to trust! The concept of freedom in America evoked her wonder, her gratitude and her pride in the nation Yet Hansi feels troubledWill America remain great, she wonders While a vocal minority decry America's values, the majority who are still willing to love and sacrifice, are silent She is worried for she recalls how German apathy opened the door to dictatorship “Without its Christian heritage, our country is a has-been!’ she cries Can America stay great** Hansi is sure it can She cites from American history, the Fulton Street Revival of 1857-8. a time of depression, unemployment, crime, bankruptcy, and empty church pews Then a New Yorker. Jeremiah Lanphier began a noon prayermeeting in his church The prayer meeting spread - Pittsburgh. Chicago. Cincinnati. Rochester, and Philadelphia where 150,000 gathered each noon under a great tent just to pray. Across .Mew England. throughout the rural areas ot the East and the North, the prayer effort spread More than a million persons found Christ The crime rate dropped, the pioneer spirit revived Could it happen again’’ Hansi thinks so. aqd Domts to 2Chronicles 7:14 \“Christians are the salt of the nation and America is the salt of the earth' May God help us regain our preserving power now! says Hansi
Newspaper Details
Anderson Herald
Anderson, Indiana, US
Sat, Jul 05, 1975
Page 27
Full Page
Clipped by
Kokomo-Howard C.
IN, USA 16 Feb 2022
Other Publications Near Anderson, Indiana
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Anderson Herald Bulletin Sunday
Anderson Democrat
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