Reformátusok Lapja, 1969 (69. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-01-01 / 1. szám
July 13th will be the 340th Anniversary of the time when Gábor Bethlen, the Prince of Transylvania, raised to nobility the ministers of Transylvania and the annexed territories of Hungary. Gábor Bethlen, for the furtherance of higher education, patronized and cared for many schools. While he struggled and had victorious battles, he fought for the religious and political liberty of his nation. During the peaceful periods, when the homeland was progressing and building in every respect, Gábor Bethlen was convinced that a well educated and refined mind was mightier than any force or arms. Gábor Bethlen had great expectations of all his schools, but especially the school in Gyulafeliévár, which was in the capitol city. He expected that his schools would produce the best educated students who would be the high ranking leaders and office holders of his homeland. The students for all the Reformed Church Schools were recruited not only from the nobility, but from the low-born. Many of these low-born students, who became well educated and filled important offices, were raised to nobility. Among the men who were in office, the Reformed Ministers played an important role. Gábor Bethlen, who had read the Bible 27 times, was a devout, Reformed Christian, who carried his Bible into the battlefields. Feeling the importance of the Reformed faith, he looked with favor upon his Church and Ministers. However, among the people holding office, many were of different beliefs. Among those holding office, the Ministers had the broadest education and Gábor Bethlen, feeling the importance of the ministry in the nation’s life, resolved to raise to nobility the Ministers and their descendants, because among them were many of low birth. This decree did not specify that it was only for Ministers of the Reformed faith. The Latin Text says, “Verbi Dei praeconum seu ministrorum filiis et filia- bus” — but in practice, this document was used only by the Reformed Ministers, because at that time in Transylvania, the Rumanian Orthodox Priests did not have the necessary qualifications. In Hungary only the Roman and Greek Catholic Priests had the privileges of nobility and so it concerned only the Ministers of the Reformed faith. Gábor Bethlen with this document, is honoring and gave the privileges of nobility to those who master learning, especially the sacred learning and acknowledges the superiority of the Spirit. This document ennobles Ministers and their descendants for all times and encourages them to further studies. It is no wonder then that many statesmen, scientists, writers and ecclesiastical keymen came from the families of Reformed Ministers. In our times, in many countries the holders of these old documents and coats of arms are not accorded privileges as they were in the past, but for the servants and Ministers of the Word of God, the document given by Gábor Bethlen still is an honor and mark of high esteem and spiritual nobility. The inscription on the coat of arms “Arte et Marte Dimicandum” -— means, fight with arms and knowledge, but always by the light of the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit, for justice with justice — sub specie aeternitatis — otherwise the recipient disqualifies himself. The Hungarian Reformed Ministers remember with gratitude Gábor Bethlen and his document, given on July 13, 1629, and as in the past, hereafter also, in spiritual nobility wish to live and to serve their Master. Francis Vitéz Ministers Nobility
