Bethlen Almanac 1998 (Ligonier)

The Bethlen Home

The Spirit of Ligonier

by Rev. Nicholas Novak

“CHRIST JESUS assumed the form of a servant”

(Philippians 2:7/b)

WHEN ADHERENTS AND FRIENDS of our Hungarian Reformed churches say: “We go to Ligonier” - they mean primarily not so much the quaint little community, but the Bethlen Home, and there the various meetings, conferences which are held in our midst year after year, ever since its founding in 1921. And yet we can safely maintain that no one, who ever came here, would insist on such a narrow definition of this place. A cherished, beloved place of pilgrimage - yes; a historic institution that is far more than a Nursing Home. And likewise the town itself has been a noted, historically important place for over 200 years. Even today in its atmosphere, in the life-style of its population, Ligonier is one of the precious few remaining islands, continuing in what is so often called “the best of America.”

Let me speak first of the beautiful, enchanting nature all around Ligonier. The steep, densely forested canyon wall are awe-inspiring for the soul, and staunch defenders of the valley behind them from #

the influx of the industrial-corn- -aőSs* I. <

mercial America. And

there is, at the journey’s ___§

end, the vast, limitless panorama on Mount Moriah (the Bethlen Home territory) - making the family homes and church-spires beneath look like a picture from a story-book. No words are needed here.

The handwork of God is speaking of Timeless Beauty, of Endless Love.

All nature sings the Spirit of Ligonier.

The Bethlen Home

30