"America is God's new chosen field whereon to build His great temple of civilization."
This quote by Josiah Strong, a prominent American writer, suggests that America, during his time, was seen as a unique and special place in the world – a "new field" or stage for human development and progress. He viewed America as an opportunity to build a new model of civilization guided by Christian values, hence referring to it as God's "great temple." This quote reflects the belief that America held a significant role in shaping global society according to certain religious and moral principles during the late 19th century.
"The Americanization of the World means the spread of American ideals and institutions abroad."
This quote by Josiah Strong suggests that the process of "Americanization" is about propagating core American values, beliefs, and systems to other parts of the world. It implies a vision where American ideas of democracy, freedom, entrepreneurship, and other cultural, political, or economic aspects would spread globally, thus shaping the world in America's image. The quote encapsulates the belief that such widespread influence could bring about positive change, as embodied by the American spirit.
"The future progress of the race depends on the Anglo-Saxon race, as the Anglo-Saxon race depends on America."
This quote suggests that in the perspective of Josiah Strong, the future success and development of the "Anglo-Saxon" race, a term often used to refer to English-speaking peoples of European descent, is intertwined with the fate of America (particularly the United States). The idea implies a strong belief that American ideals, institutions, and resources could play a crucial role in the continued evolution and prosperity of the Anglo-Saxon race. It's important to note that this quote reflects the cultural climate and ideas of its time, and the concept of an "Anglo-Saxon race" is not universally accepted or appropriate today.
"The destiny of the nation is in the hands of the people, and the fate of the people will be determined by their character."
This quote emphasizes that the future of a country rests upon its citizens – their values, actions, and collective character. In essence, Strong suggests that the well-being and success of a nation are intrinsically linked to the moral, intellectual, and social qualities of its people. The implication is that for a nation to thrive, it's essential to cultivate positive character traits among its citizens – such as integrity, wisdom, kindness, and responsibility – because these attributes will shape the destiny and ultimately decide the fate of the nation.
"It is not enough to say that America shall be free; she must be made free, or she will never be free."
This quote implies that mere declarations of freedom are insufficient for a nation to actually achieve it. Instead, active measures must be taken to establish and sustain freedom, as inaction or lackadaisical efforts will not result in genuine liberty. In other words, the pursuit and maintenance of freedom requires persistent effort and commitment.
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