Bethlen Naptár, 1956 (Ligonier)
The Assets of Our Celebrating Federation
BETHLEN NAPTÁR 155 “We are indeed grateful to the Federation for enabling us to build our beautiful church.” When the church was completed: “Our dedication date will be October 9th. We were wondering if you could have a representative of your Federation to bring a word of greeting at this service.” With instalment payments: “With much happiness I send enclosed $1,062.29 due the 29th of this month . . . besides this another check for $666.66. This is principal paid ahead . . . so we will benefit from the amount that would go for interest ...” “Enclosed I am sending a $15,000.00 check as payment on our loan. I know that you would be happier if a check like this did not come . . . we, on the other hand, are eager to send these principal-paying yellow papers more frequently, so that we may burn . . . don’t be afraid, not you, but the mortgage papers.” With the final payment of the loan: “It would not be fitting, if the congregation did not recall these facts: that at the time of our financial difficulties, the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was the one who . . . made such great concessions to the congregation, making it possible for the congregation to make the small instalment payments the church’s financial status permitted. Therefore ... to memorialize in this letter . . . the congregation asks God’s mercy, blessing and protection on our generous Reformed Federation.” “May I extend our grateful thanks to the leaders of our Federation for the kindness which made it possible for our congregation to be today the owner of a beautiful parsonage.” From among the many letters, even from these few, it is readable between the lines, that the people of our churches and the members of our Federation help each other in brotherly love. * * * In 1944, an advance of $20,774.15 dollars, without interest, was given by our Federation to the Ministerial Association for the printing of hymnals for use in the American Hungarian Reformed congregations. The final instalment was repaid in 1954. Every year it contributes toward the expenses of our young people’s church camps and conferences. Through two decades, several thousand dollars have been given by our Federation as aid to deserving university or college students of lesser means. Toward Scholarship Funds of Calvinist colleges and theological seminaries in the dismembered old country, behind the Iron Curtain, a goodly amount has been sent. It has sent large amounts to the Canadian Reformed old folks’ home and to the South American Hungarian Reformed churches. For the glory of God, for the preservation of our faith, from its assets, from its surplus income, the Federation gave all it possibly could. * * * Looking back through the past, I remember those who handled the assets of the Federation, those who were treasurers since the founding: In 1896, Paul Szabó, deceased, Bridgeport, Conn. In 1897, Bertalan Demeter, deceased, New York, N. Y. In 1898, Béla Hornung, deceased, New York, N. Y. 1899-1909, Joseph Tomcsanyi, deceased, Pittsburgh, Pa.
