Bethlen Naptár, 1959 (Ligonier)
Bethlen Almanac
BETHLEN ALMANAC 31 HUNGARIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES This is a brief and somewhat sketchy account of the stewardship of our 24 Hungarian churches directly connected with the United Presbyterian Church in the USA, based on the report published in the 1957 edition of the General Assembly Minutes. First, let me state as firmly as I can — for this is sometimes misunderstood — that these Hungarian churches of ours are as much a part, integral and component, as any other single-language congregation, of this great Protestant denomination. We follow the same plan and program of activities. Our ministers have been elected and appointed to many positions of responsibility both in the Presbytery and the Synod — committee chairmen, moderators, delegates, commissioners. But our own special, distinctive problems, so pressing in this transition period, are discussed in the meetings of our Hungarian Conference. Since our 24 churches are actually located in 18 presbyteries, one can readily see and understand the importance and function of this Conference. It is common knowledge that the two Presbyterian Churches, the United and the USA, have consummated their union last May. It was a great day in American Protestantism, when these two staunch Calvinistic churches combined their forces for the Kingdom of God. It is also common knowledge that the union demanded some sacrifices. For the larger cause of the Kingdom and the more effective presentation of the Gospel, some precious heritages and privileges had to be given up. It was thrilling and enthralling to see how these two segments of the Body of Christ rose to the occasion. We of the Hungarian background have had several opportunities to witness and experience this true Christian spirit. When it was pointed out by responsible officials that some of our Hungarian churches could more effectively serve our common cause in another sister denomination, our church authorities willingly and without any strings attached dismissed two congregation (Coatesville and Leechburg) into the fellowship of the E&R Church. The nine theological seminaries of our denominations—including Princeton, McCormick, Western, Bloomfield, Dubuque — have been supported by our Hungarian churches also. Last year we contributed $15,782 to the Benevolence causes of the church at large, of which the above mentioned seminaries have received their allotted share. Many of our Hungarian ministers received their seminary training in these well-known theological schools; many even had taken post-graduate courses in one or the other of them. I have gathered some data from last year’s reports of our Hungarian churches. While these are only statistics, nevertheless they still give us a fairly accurate picture of the work we have done in the Lord’s vineyard. The total income of the 24 churches was $276,769. Of this amount $187,650 is listed under the heading of Current Expenses. $70,900 is the sum contributed to Special Causes of the local church. We also donated $2,437 to the Bethlen Home, our orphan’s and old people’s home in Ligonier, Pa. This could very well be added to the $15,782 reported under Benevolences in the Minutes of the General Assembly. The number of our communicant members, according to this report, is 4,571. We have 1,640 children enrolled in our Sunday schools. Had 183 infant baptisms. There is bi-lingual worship service in all our 24 churches. On the loss side of the ledger we must report that two of our smaller congregations have been dissolved — Caldwell and Scranton. (The writer cherishes many pleasant memories in connection with Caldwell. As a student he supplied this field, as did so many other students at Bloomfield, including the late Dr. Barna Dienes.)
