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Finnish Tenacity
A moving atmosphere prevailed in the old 17th
Century church in Tornio, where we were greeted
on a frosty day in March, 1947. A choir sung some
beautiful psalms and afterwards the pastor, tired
and shivering, spoke from the altar. I still
remember the text he had chosen: ”Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
These words took on a special meaning if one
reflected upon the heroic struggle of Finland against her
overwhelming enemy. It was very cold in the old
church. Breath rose like smoke from the singers and
the pastor. But one felt a strong inner warmth from
the gratitude being shown by the Finns to Sweden
for the help she had been able to give. Neither did
the pastor omit to mention the many Swedish
memories connected with this Finnish region.
We had been invited by Governor Hannula of
Lappland to visit the north of Finland. The purpose
of the visit was in part to give us an opportunity
to study postwar conditions there and in part to
investigate ways in which we could help the suffering
people. What we experienced in this barren region,
with its industrious and persevering people, greatly
impressed us. We encountered unforgettable evidence
of the firm will of the Finnish people not to give up
despite devastating war and incredible internal diffi-
6 — Instead of Arm w 161
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