Calvin Synod Herald, 1979 (79. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-05-01 / 5-6. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

3

“NON ALIUS REGIT”

Banner dedication on May 9, 1979 in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of Col. Commander Michael Kovats de Fabricy.

The representatives of the Amercian-Hungarian Reformed church bodies are here today in the conviction that this banner dedication may fail to meet the challenge of the event without a Hungarian Reformed witness and insight.

Michael Kovats de Fabricy was a Hungarian Reformed person not by birth alone, but by faith and practice as well. He was bom in Karcag-Üjszállás, a place which has been a strong Reformed stronghold since the Protestant Reformation in spite of Turkish- Mohammedan and Habsburg-Counter-Reformation pressures for centuries. When he was bom in 1724, the heroic stmggle of Francis Rákóczi II. was still in the air, and he had to realize that the future of Hungary’s freedom is bleak indeed without the liberating power of the Gospel and the soldier’s devotion to liberty. Thus, educated in the Reformed College of Debrecen and with “Pro Deo et Libertate” in his heart, he became a Christian soldier first in the Prussian army, and then in the Pulaski Legion of the American Revolution. It is not accidental that he offered himself to this latter cause as “fidelissimus ad mortem” (most faithful unto death), for this is what he heard Rom his Risen Lord: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). This is why he became a church member in Easton, Pennsylvania — not inspite of his military career, but because he was a Christian soldier, a late descendant of the biblical centurion of Capernaum (Lk. 7:1-10).

But perhaps nowhere else is this more clearly evident than in the inscriptions of his American banner. On the one side of this banner you could read the letters “U.S.” encircled with the Latin phrase, “Unita Virtus Fortier” (United Valor is Stronger), a clear reference to Polish-Hungarian ethnic cooperation; and on the other side was an embroidered design of an all-seeing Eye — a traditional symbol of the Triune God’s Presence — surrounded by thirteen stars representing the thirteen states, and again another Latin phrase, “NON ALIUS REGIT’’ meaning, “NONE OTHER RULES.”

“NON ALIUS REGIT” — these words are deeply biblical and confessional. From the Bible Kovats learned that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will” (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32). Even King George should learn this as did mighty Nabuchadnezzar in Daniel’s time. “NON ALIUS REGIT” — Kovats learned this from his Hungarian Reformed ancestors who went to galley slavery in this conviction, who dared to challenge wicked powers in the name of the Lord and put on their banners: “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31). “NON ALIUS REGIT” — these words were also deeply confessional. The Hungarian Reformed people, never contaminated by easy pacifism, declared in the Second Helvetic Confession: “God is the sovereign Ruler of the nations, magistracy of every kind is instituted by God Himself and if the public safety of the country and justice require it, we should lay down even our very lives and pour out our blood in the Name of God willingly, bravely and cheerfully.’ (XXX) “NON ALIUS REGIT” - “NONE OTHER RULES” - this biblical-confessional-historical insight of Hungarian bravery or Prussian military drill — is the key that unlocks the mystery of Michael Kovats’ life and death, and challenges us to similar faithfulness.

Yes, this celebration is both timely and desperately needed today. We live in an America where both patriotism and Christian faith are neglected, if not willfully rejected. In fear of American civil religion we fail to cultivate Christian patriotism. In unscriptural zeal for peace at any price we despise readiness to fight and die for God and the country. We are like the Charleston City Council was on May 11, 1779: despirited, desperate, dejected, ready to capitulate and surrender all which is dear to us to destructive, alien forces... Let us raise, then, the Kovats banner and our hearts today in Christian devotion, “NON ALIUS REGIT”... And in this faith, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith (Heb. 12:2), let us change like Michael Kovats did, the spirit of despair into Christian courage, fear into faithfulness, and shameful surrender to glorious victory. Only then are we worthy of his memory!

o o *

Let us pray:

O God who are a banner to those who fear You, help us to set up our banner in Your Name today.

We thank You for the faith which was in Michael Kovats and strengthened him to be obedient to Your command. We thank You for the hope by which he trusted that “though the cause of evil prosper” yet you put all things in subjection under Jesus’ feet and He must reign until the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. We thank You for the love which made him willing to lay down his life for others; greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Grant, O Lord, that this banner would challenge us daily for similar faith, hope and love, and because without your blessing we cannot worthily bring anything into the service of Your praise, send down Your Holy Spirit and let this banner be sanctified and hallowed unto You. Grant that in the use of it, your Holy Name be honored and magnified, this country of the USA be strengthened and edified, the Hungarian people all around the world be inspired and encouraged, and that we, now and always, may worship and adore You in spirit and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Dr. John Butosi