Reformátusok Lapja, 1959 (59. évfolyam, 1-22. szám)
1959-07-01 / 13. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 15 ganized under the discipline and supervision of the local presbyteries, and have no autonomy, no special rights or privileges. They are under the legislative, judicial and administrative authority of the presbyteries to which they sporadically belong. Since 1913 national biennial conferences have been held under the auspices of the Board of National Missions in order to promote, coordinate and expedite the Americanization of the Hungarian work. The conferences are attended by the executives of the Board of National Missions, the synodical and presbyterial superintendents, and the pastors and lay representatives of the congregations. The character and function of the conferences are primarily advisory, consultative, inspirational and educational. In 1927 the minutes of the General Assembly statistically showed that 50 congregations had a membership of 4761 and a Sunday School enrollment of 2827 pupils. In 1957 the statistical figures showed that 24 bi-lingual churches situated in 18 presbyteries had 4571 ocmmunicant members and 1640 children enrolled in Sunday Schools. The reason for the decrease in the number of congregations is due to the fact that a few congregations had left the Presbyterian Church, and joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. A few congregations merged with English Presbyterian churches. Some have discontinued the use of the Hungarian language and have become single language churches. Six of the 24 bi-lingual congregations have changed their names, leaving out the word “Hungarian” as a result of the over-emphasized Americanization policy. The larger self-supporting congregations are stubbornly resisting this nationalistic movement, claiming that it is un-Christian. The Americanization process is so strong and the integration is going on so fast that it is feared that none of these congregations will preserve the liturgical traditions, the doctrinal confessions and the governmental system they have inherited from the mother Reformed Church in Hungary. Árpád George our pastor in Chiacgo, 111. HUNGARIAN STUDIES AT ELMHURST — 1941-1959 Some 200 students between 1941 and 1959 were attracted to Elmhurst College, because it offered courses in a unique department of Hungarian studies. Located near Chicago, Elmhurst is a college of the United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed Church). These graduates and alumni in their various professions as teachers, physicians, businessmen, ministers and homemakers serve in the congregational life of the Magyar Synod. They also play an important role as laymen and laywomen in the Magyar churches of the United Church of Christ. In September, 1941, six students, two girls and four boys, sat before the Rev. Barnabas Dienes in a classroom of the ivy-covered Old Main of Elmhurst College. Thus began a new Hungarian studies department. The department was also to continue in the tradition which had been established at Franklin and Marshall College over so many years. It prepared young men for the bilingual, Hungarian and English language, ministry. They serve in the Magyar Reformed Churches, especially of Magyar Synod. Parish workers and religious educators were to be trained also. An effective ministry required the use of both languages in the period of transition which was and, in many cases, is yet “a matter of life and death” for congregations moving from total use of Hungarian to the English language. If the Elmhurst experiment of one year of part-time teaching, based on the initiative and urging of Magyar Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, proved itself successful, then the General Synod of 1942 would be in a position to decide future policy regarding the support of such a program. The experiment proved itself and was supported by the denomination. In fact, the General Council budget, through the Board of National Missions, began to include an appropriation for the “Hungarian chair” at Elmhurst College. The surprising withdrawal of this appropriation in June, 1957, forshadowed the discontinuation of the department of Hungarian studies by the Board of Directors of Elmhurst College. The department with 40 students in 1957 was terminated by Elmhurst College in June, 1959. In a letter of June 2, 1941, Barnabas Dienes, then president of Magyar Synod and chairman of the General Council’s Special Committee, wrote Dr. Timothy Lehmann, president of Elmhurst College: The General Synod of Lancaster referred to the General Council the request of the
