Reformátusok Lapja, 1971 (71. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-03-01 / 3. szám
12 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA MESSAGE: WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Colossians 3:1, 9-17 In relating onr vision to commitment and action, let each and everyone of us consider: that renewal of life and sustenance of spirit are obtainable from upper levels: therefore, we ought to set our sights and aims on higher ideals, so that loftier goals are those toward which one would strive for perfection; for an upturned head is uplifting to the mind and soul; and even in the attempt of achieving, one thus endeavors toward counterbalancing lower levels of reality, so that the qualities of humbleness, humility and perseverance would give stability to disruptive effects in one’s daily living. As a result, one would come to value human beings enough so as to forego the unbalancing factors of friction, conflict or opposition — thus in this manner would we all attain both inner and outer equilibrium indicative of peace and serenity; the experience of which would be satisfying and self-fulfilling. Finally, you might also like to thoughtfully reflect on the following: “We are told of the glorious victory of good over evil, right over wrong, light over darkness, life over death, and everlasting, long-suffering love over vindictive hate.” Let us draw together all of the foregoing, into unified integration of commitment and action so that we might be able to support each other, not only because we are individuals on a human level, but also, look up to a higher level, toward a supreme being for guidance as children of the Lord who desire to go further along in this world together. Madeline T. Barboe (Message delivered at the World Day of Prayer community Service held in the John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church, Perth Amboy, N. J.)-------------^ -----------------C.LUr X earn UJ/tdt X,Ve If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy. If a child lives with jealousy, He learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, He learns to have confidence. If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice. If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He finds love in the world. — Author Unknown CENTRAL CLASSIS OF THE CALVIN SYNOD To the Congregations and to the ministers of the Central Classis. Dear Friends: At the order of our Central Classis president the Rev. Dr. László Berze- viczy I am inviting your minister and your Church representatives to the ANNUAL MEETING of our CENTRAL CLASSIS which will be held on March 21st, Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in our sister Church at Springdale. The program: 4:30—5:00 p.m. registration 5:00—5:30 p.m. Devotion: Rev. Paul Kovács 5:30—6:00 p.m. reports 6:00—7:00 p.m. Lecture and discussion about the COCU problems led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Butosi 7:00—8:00 p.m. dinner for a reasonable donation 8:00 pm. Farewell and departure. The ministers are asked to bring NEWS ITEMS their ANNUAL REPORTS with them and those who are serving two or more congregations, contact the respective Consistories for their representatives! Pittsburgh, March 3rd, 1971. Sincerely yours in His service, Dr. George S. Csia, Secretary THE HOPELESSNESS OF WAR “Wat causes wars, and what causes fighting among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? ... You covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war.” James 4:1, 2. One of the many “Walls” we will discuss may be that of the controversy over Viet Nam and Cambodia. The cause of war is as old as human history. We know the arguments in justification of warfare. And, indeed, there have been wars which restored freedom to many. But the wars have brought few blessings and solved few problems. The price paid in human lives has been staggering. Many tried so hard to create a world without war. Expectations were high after every war. The First World War was optimistically called “the war to end all wars.” Leonardo da Vinci once designed a human flying machine. His pupil, Astro, looked on in great excitement, and gasped, “Messere, imagine people seeing you fly, people will be as angels in higher spheres, the nations will unite, and never will there be any more war.” Well, people learned to fly and they promptly turned their flying machines into war machines. Is there no escape from the curse of War? God’s word says that the cause of war lies in man’s heart. We are so selfish and so greedy. Thus we demand greedy policies of our governments. Modern society is almost solely guided by the profit motive. If the cause of
