Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1973-04-01 / 4. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

5

pants engage themselves rather than being a separate center.

A new kind of church is emerging in the 1970’s. A strategy for achievement in a changing society will require that we hold goals in common. There are six goals which summarize a direction for the United Church:

• Clarify and communicate the concept of peace (siralom) as a unifying social vision.

• Increase the impact of the United Church as an enabler of the peace (shalom) vision for persons and contemporary society.

• Increase the number and variety of United Church members to include a wide range of ages, ethnic and economic groups, and religious perceptions.

• Increase the number and variety of congregational and mission forms at local and area levels.

• Broaden the variety of leadership roles and functions throughout the United Church.

• Increase the opportunities for across the church dialogue and celebration.

(Evangelism for a new day)

The One Hundredth Anniversary of the

Hungarian National Anthem

FRANCIS KÖLCSEY (1790-1838)

Born in the village of Sződemeter, Szilágy county, (now in Rumania), of an ancient but impoverished family. Educated at Debreczen, and was early associated with Kazinczy in his literary reforms. Elected as a Liberal to parliament in 1832 and became the most famous orator of his time. A soaring idealist, who felt so bitterly the contrasts of the actual, that his poetry became profoundly pessimistic. His “Vanitatum Vanitas” is a magnificently sombre derivative of Ecclesiastes; and his “Hymnus” (the favorite national anthem of Hungary) is deeply stained with sorrow. The “Hymnus” was written in 1823.

MAGYAR NATIONAL ANTHEM

Where the waves of Tisza glide, Where the Danube rages,

Valiant seed of Árpád grew,

Flourish’d through the ages.

Let Cumanian cornfields wave Golden for our pleasure;

Let the vineyards of Tokay Yield us nectar’s treasure.

Thou hast often rear’d our flags High on Turkish tower;

Proud Vienna groan’d to see Matthias and his power.

But, alas, our crimes provok’d Wrath as Thou didst ponder;

Deafening through the heavens burst Thy indignant thunder.

Soon the murderous Mongol’s shaft Hiss’d at all beholders:

Soon the Turkish yoke was set On our wounded shoulders.

Often from wild Osman Bps Chants of joy were spoken,

Rais’d in triumph as they saw All our armies broken!

Oft, O home-land, from thy breast Rose thy sons to free thee . . .

Oft, alas, in stricken doom,

As their grave they’d see thee.

Fugitives in caves, they found

Swords still reach’d to slay them;

Vainly through their land they sought Homes in which to lay them;

Up the hill and through the dale Grief and pain still drove them;

Seas of blood were at their feet;

Seas of flame above them.

Once a castle (now but stones) Thrill’d with life and laughter;

Now cold death and hoarse lament Come in anguish after.

And, alas, no freedom thrives

Where our dead lie sleeping;

Tears of tortur’d slavery fall Hot from orphans’ weeping.

Bless the Magyar, O our God, Bountifully, gladly!

Shield with Thy protecting hand When his foes smite madly! Fate, of old, has rent him sore;

May it now bring healing! By-gone sins are all aton’d,

Ev’n the future sealing.

Peaks of high Carpathian hills Thou didst give our sires; Sons of Bendegúz receiv’d

Thus their fair hearth-fires;

Pity, then, our people, Lord,

Shaken by disaster!

Since a sea of grief engulfs,

Save the Magyar, Master!

Fate, of old, has rent him sore:

May it bring now healing! By-gone sins are all aton’d,

Ev’n the future sealing.

Ferenc Kölcsey

Translated by Watson Kirkconnell