Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 7 New Kossuth Statue Dedicated in Iowa America’s memory of Hungary’s great patriot Louis Kossuth was revived in mid-July with the dedication of a fine new statue of him in Algona, Iowa. The life-size bronze sculpture was dedicated by Kossuth County, as a part of its 150th Anniversary festival, and sits on the lawn in front of the County Courthouse. A flyover by two F-16 jets kicked off the celebration, with flags flying and the accompaniment of a military band. The state’s Governor and Hungary’s ambassador headed the list of dignitaries participating in the opening event of the celebration. The Hon. Géza Jeszenszky read from a letter sent by the President of Hungary. “The fact that a county in Iowa is named after Kossuth is more than a sign of respect for his personality. It is a connection between the two countries.” The ambassador himself remarked. “The statue is not just a memorial to Kossuth, but is also a credit to the determination of the people who settled in Iowa, including a community of Hungarians who settled in the southeast corner of the state.” He also asked the county’s citizens, “Let this statue be a reminder of Hungary and its struggle, and of Hungarians who escaped Communism to the United States.” He concluded, “Millions of Hungarians looked up to the United States for inspiration and support over the last two centuries. Long live the freedom of Hungary and long live our countries!” Gov. Tom Vilsack related that among his earliest recollections were the news broadcasts in 1956 about the revolt in Hungary. He said, “I was always impressed with the courage of those people to fight for freedom.” He continued, “Naming this county after Louis Kossuth says something about him, but it also says something about us,” that the people of Iowa honor those who have fought for liberty and that Kossuth’s message is still heard. Kossuth’s own declaration calling for a government that was “all for the people, all by the people, nothing about the people without the people,” given in the 1850’s during his six-month stay in the United States, was noted for its impact upon leaders in many countries by Richard Johnson, Iowa’s state auditor. He remarked upon its similarity to the address at Gettysburg by Lincoln some years later. The sculptor, an Iowan named Wayne Thompson, said that other statues of Kossuth portrayed him as militaristic, but he saw another important side. “I found him more of an orator and wanted to show that side of the man instead, and that is why his hands are reaching out like he is speaking and he has a different stance.” Two other full figure statues are in the United States, one in New York and another in Cleveland. A fine bust has a place of honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, in Washington. There is yet another bronze piece, a plaque in the City Hall of Columbus, Ohio, where he once delivered a moving speech. The Hungarian national anthem, the “Himnusz”, was sung during the program, led by a group from the Minnesota Hungarian Society. They also sang other songs that had urged volunteers to join in the 1848 War of Independence led by Kossuth. Rev. Albert W. Kovács Living Echoes (Matt. 5:19) Beautiful Lake Balaton is Europe’s largest inland body of water, and the town of Tihany is built high upon a rocky peninsula that juts way out into this really big pond. There’s small building up on the hill, and from the ground alongside it a person can call across the lake - and an echo answers back! Our Christian faith is very much like that, the present day echo of the faith of God’s people across many ages. Our Lord Jesus echoed the words of the Old Testament throughout his ministry and even up to his last breaths. As we read the Gospels, we hear the echo of the Master’s voice in the teaching of His apostles, and their reecho by the writers of the epistles and his biographies. As we read our bibles, we hear again across the ages the voices of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the commandments from Moses, the prophetic outcries of Isaiah and Hoaea, the poetry and music of the Psalms. And in our churches and private devotions, even in the halls of education and government, we hear them echoed and reechoed. To misquote or distort another’s words lacks honesty, yet in every age there are those whose own agenda motivates them to alter even the word of God, the words of truth. The words of Jude in the bible point to this problem even long ago, speaking of “ungodly persons who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness.” As Isaiah (45:20-25) points to the makers of false idols, today there are those who “re-imagine” God, according to their own ideas and fantasies, without due regard to the sole knowledge of God through His revelation. These latter invoke images of a “goddess” and a primitive “Sophia” under the guise of Christianity, although this is rank heresy. Many people, in less sophisticated ways, give their allegiance to their own “god”, who doesn’t care if they keep the faith, mind their behavior, and even ignore Him all their lives, but will open the doors of heaven so they can roll right through the pearly gates on their roller skates. This hardly sound like the God of Jesus, or the other faithful, who knew that God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth with all one’s heart, soul and mind. Who does God think He is, when they’re such busy people? The Lord Jesus has come from God, and bears the message that the only God is the same in all generations, without shadow of change. As we echo Christ’s teaching, we recognize that our Christian faith is built upon several elements. First, without which there are no other, is God’s self-revelation. All we know about God is what he has made known through His faithful ones. Secondly, that the Holy Scriptures are a faithful echo in the retelling of that revelation from age to age, and to our age as well, to which nothing can be added, nor anything taken away. Finally, that we are alive in the Spirit ourselves, as personal reaffirmations of the old received faith. Paul reminded Timothy that he was guided into faith and ministry through the scriptures reechoed through his mother and grandmother. We in the churches today have heard its echoes also. We are called to become “living echoes” in our brief time on this earth. It is our responsibility to receive the genuine Gospel, and guard against the distortions by voices of evil, listening for it with open ears and receptive hearts. Then, we are called (Continued on page 8) 1
