Calvin Synod Herald, 1998 (98. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1998-09-01 / 5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 4 AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA LET US GRATEFULLY REMEMBER THE GREAT REFORMATION! OCTOBER 31 IS REFORMATION DAY ✓ A Nagy Reformáció 481-ik Évfordulóján emeljük hálás szívünket mennyeiesen magasra! Hundreds of thousand of churches all over the world are the blessed fruits of Reformation: both Lutheran and Calvinistic. October 31,1517 Luther's Reformation in Wittenberg. October 1536 was time when Calvinistic Reformation conquered at Lausanne at the famous Lausanne Faith-Disputation. We bring Rev. Victor Orth's great poem in original Hungarian in our present Issue and its prosaic translation here for our readers. Rev. Victor Orth was pastor of Lynwood (Chicago South Church) from 1968 to 1987. Most proper commemoration for all heirs of Reformation! THE LAUSANNE FAITH-DISPUTATION - 1536 -. (Prosaic translation of Rev. Victor Orth's great poem) In radiant beams sparkle today The old Cathedral's ancient bastions. Its bells vespers do ring to God, Who made all things on heaven and earth. Where humans were tortured for so long And suffered in chains through centuries Now prophets came here to defend The eternal Truths of Reformation. It's seventh hour now, people stream ahead!- "This day two worlds will go into battle".- "Rome will fight to preserve tyranny!" "But tyranny will loose to Faith's victory!" In vain come here one-hundred-forty-seven Long rows of monks of all different orders: In vain will they fight duggedly in black robes, Like dark and raw hordes of ravens! Fare! comes now, Geneva's grand hero; Viret his co-worker and the "Gallic-Great': Unknown scholar, his name is Calvin. Facing the great three a huge wild armada!- "We will not fight with piles, stakes and death!" Echoes Farel's words from ceiling to floor. "To us torture and galley are no weapons: Our strenght is in the Word of God alone!" "Heretics! Your words are blasphemy; Purgatory will never be your fate! Rome is eternal... But of you? Oh what? Dust of centuries will cover you hundredfold!" Words after words, arguments after arguments Through three long days of battle of words - Is Farel’s fight in vain? Will Rome here conquer? And why is Calvin, the frenchman, so quiet? The fourth day arrived. Now Pope's puppet Finally comes to Lord's Supper' Doctrine.- "By denying Augustine's teachings' Don't your sinful hearts tremble?" Farel, Viret in ONE thought they thunder: "Augustine: Merely words from human lips!" ...Calvin stands erect. Deadly silence follows! Then speaks aloud! The silent listener.-"Honor be to early Fathers of the Church! Whom you do not know at all..." No book before him, Calvin quotes fluently From writings of ancient Bishop of Hippo, And all early Fathers enter in for defense, Like armada of forces from world of spirits.- "Judge as you like, Did not I say the Truth?"... His words followd by the deepest silence at once.- "His blessed blood was shed for us, Cleansed us. And gave us new Life. Wherever the holy elements are with faith received: Communion of believers comes into being!" Spoke He thus, sat down. - Into marrows words entered. All were shocked by such tremendous knowledge. Minds are shocked, when Faith is so determined, Victory conquers at such confession of Faith. What noise is there? The multitude is moved. One monk, pale and thunderstruck. What does he want... What will he say? Stands forth... steps out of circle. 'You cannot fight against the Spirit. In God's name now 1 declare: It is the Truth this reformer uttered. God himself conquered! It's the Gospel's Truth!" Loud murmur rings through the Cathedral: Reformed, renewed hearts reecho the words. Farel speaks again, happily responding, Declaring the truth unnerringly forward:- "His Name is called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, Strong God, Glory to Him alone - To our God! Our Redeemer!"
