In the New Year

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I wish that each of us would look back upon the past year, then retire alone with himself and go over the account of his deeds and efforts during 1947, addressing to his own person these four questions: (1) Was I, in the past year, a sincere Lebanese? (2) Was I a true democrat? (3) Was I really a Muslim? (4) Was I really a Christian? And let the answers to these questions be frank, so that each may see what grade he has earned in this examination.

Were you a Lebanese loyal to Lebanon's name and Lebanon's interest?

If you were a ruler, did you rule with justice? Did you direct your efforts to the public good, the welfare of Lebanon, and the preservation of its dignity? Or did you stray from the straight path and open the way to intercession and outside influence, your aim being personal interest and material gain?

And if you sat in a deputy's seat, did you study Lebanon's problems and strive to fill what was lacking, to straighten what was crooked, and to improve its economic, cultural, moral, and administrative affairs? Or was your whole concern to watch for opportunities of profit and enrichment?

And if you were a judge, did you judge with justice and hold yourself above politics and favoritism? Did you work impartially, so that every Lebanese felt his rights were protected, whether he was great or lowly? Did you guard the good name of the Lebanese judiciary? Did you do this, and give the journalists no cause to say to you, "Where did you get this?"

And if you were of the liberal professions, or a merchant, or a workman, or an employee, or a craftsman, or... or... did you advance step by step in mastering your work toward perfection? Did you take pains in everything you did, to satisfy your conscience and serve society, keeping before your eyes the highest ideals of work and service? Or did you chase after the piaster to get it, whether you deserved it or not, forgetting that each one of us forms a part of beloved Lebanon, either to lift its name high or to lower its dignity? Did you, O Lebanese, take care for cleanliness and the rules of public health at home, in the street, in the cinema house, the café, and all the public places? Did you live in Lebanese society cooperating with the members of that society to serve the common interest and achieve the loftiest aim? Did you contribute toward providing the means of livelihood, comfort, security, and progress for all the people? Or did you live for yourself and for the satisfaction of your personal ambitions?

Then, were you a democrat, believing in the freedom of the individual and his right to life and to the expression of opinion? Do you believe in the doctrine of the equality of individuals in rights and duties, and did you act according to this doctrine as a Lebanese citizen? Did you listen to public opinion, go deeply into understanding the conditions of the country, and contribute to forming an opinion that would bring good to the homeland? Did you respect the laws of the land and do as they command? Did you join organizations concerned with the duties of the citizen and his responsibility toward the homeland? Or did you leave these matters to those who busy themselves with politics and its methods? And if you were among the educated thinkers, did you feel that the age of tutelage and mandate has passed, and that we are now working for ourselves, whether for good or for ill?

For democracy allows freedom of speech, of action, and of belief, but it does not allow chaos, nor the violation of the rights of others and the rights of the homeland.

Our beloved country entered its independent democratic life in the manner of a splendid drama, and history has recorded for the heroes of that drama a surpassing feat. There is no doubt that every Lebanese, whether at home or abroad, would wish history to go on recording in Lebanon's register feat after feat; and nothing troubles the Lebanese's sleep or occupies his mind in this period of the life of independence except waiting for the feat of organization — in the administration generally, and in the foundations of economic life and reconstruction. Our country is small, and its situation and its resources assure us a sufficient living. Who, then, will organize these resources and turn them to account, to raise the standard of living and the standard of health among the middle class and the working and poor classes? Are you among those working and striving toward that end? Did you deal fairly with your employees and raise their salaries in proportion to what they produce? Did you mingle with the people, acquaint yourself with the problems of the man in the street and of the deprived class, and try to help them morally and materially? Or did you stand at a distance, asking why people suffer? Did the glitter of your gold so dazzle your eyes that you no longer saw the places of need in the country?

And the third question: were you a Muslim? Did you care for the orphan — for the noble Prophet said: "I and the guardian of the orphan shall be together in Paradise"? Did you wish good for others and strive after it, acting on the Prophet's saying: "A man's faith is not complete until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself"? Did you benefit a neighbor or a friend? Did you sacrifice in order to support someone in need? Did you feel that all men are your brothers, and remember the counsel of the Prophet Muhammad when he said: "All creatures are the dependents of God, and the dearest of them to Him is he who is most useful to His dependents"? Did you perform the two duties of prayer and almsgiving — two duties that crystallize the spirit and bring man to the highest degrees of communion and sacrifice? Did you live in your community as a loving, merciful, feeling member? Did you engrave upon your heart the wise saying: "The believers, in their mutual affection and mercy, are like a body: when one member of it suffers, the whole body joins it in fever and sleeplessness"? Did you do this? Were you a Christian? Did you treat people as you would have them treat you? Did you forgive those who wronged you? Did you do good in secret, so that your right hand should not know what your left hand does? Did you cleanse your heart of hatred, deceit, and selfishness — or did you content yourself with visiting the churches while your heart burned with the fire of envy, pride, and greed? Did you live as a peaceable Christian, pure of heart and humble — for Christ said: Blessed are the pure in heart; blessed are the peacemakers? Or did you create around you an atmosphere of evil and go against every word of Christ? Did you do this?

Dear Lebanese, your existence upon the earth lays upon your shoulders many responsibilities. You were created to grow and to live on the love of God and of your brother man, wherever he may be. And then this dear spot of ground, Lebanon, your cherished homeland, asks of you the performance of your duty, civic and social; it asks you to cooperate with your fellow citizens to bring happiness to this beloved homeland and to make it one of the countries that labor for the good of humanity and the glory of God Almighty. Have you succeeded, my brother? Have you succeeded, my sister?