Bethlen Évkönyv, 1993-1996 (Ligonier)
Dózsa György: Az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyesület 100. Évét Ünnepli
In 1996 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. In this context, I would like to present a brief history of our fraternal society and inform our readers that additional articles on the subject will follow in subsequent issues of the Fraternity. It is my hope that we will thus be able to acquaint as many people as possible with the benevolent and charitable characteristics of this unique society, which was founded in the last decade of the 19th century. In the last two decades of the 19th century, there were many Hungarian immigrants working in coal mines and factories in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio. The poor immigrants, who came to this country with no knowledge of the English language, took any job they could find in order to provide for themselves and their families. The work was usually hard and dangerous. There were many accidents particularly in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There was no one to protect or to provide for the family when the breadwinner was injured or killed. Consequently, in case of a tragedy, the family was usually left destitute and dependent on others for aid and charity. In an urge to help the destitute and stricken families, six ministers: Kalassay Sándor, Harsányi Sándor, Demeter Bertalan, Dokus Gábor, Ferenczy Ferenc, Jurányi Gusztáv; five laymen: Nyitrai Emil, Fűzi Pál, Czimbalmos István, Pásztor István and Szabó Pál assembled in Trenton, New Jersey, and founded the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America on July 4, 1896. The aim of the founders was primarily to assist widows and orphans of miners and factory workers who met death at their work, but they were also determined to help all immigrants in poverty and need within the framework of an organized society. 15 The HRFA CELEBRATING 100 YEARS IN 1996
