Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 “Just One Woman” “I am just one woman.” How many women does she want to be? What more can she ever hope to be than what she is; one woman? What was Florence Nightingale but one woman? Yet her work led straight to the Red Cross! How far would be the humane processes of healing the wounded and sorrowful all over the world today had this English nurse sat down and bemoaned the fact that she was “just one woman?” Nor did Florence Nightingale wait for others. When all the medical officers had retired for the night, dog-tired, and silence and darkness had settled upon those miles of prostrate sick, the light of a single little lamp could be seen moving from cot to cot in a solitary round. It was the lamp of Florence Nightingale. “Just one woman.” Where would the marvelous work done by radium be today if, when bereaved, Madame Curie had folded her hands when her husband passed away and minimized herself by saying, “I am just one woman?” Yes, but singularly gifted, you say, were these women. Not according to their own testimonies. Quite to the contrary. “I had faith; that was all,” said Florence Nightingale. “I had confidence, little else,” said Madame Curie, and to their work each applied her fullest aspiration and trust... “But they were exceptional women,” will be the rejoinder. They were not, as a matter of fact. Was the mother “exceptional” whose six-year old boy came home from school one day with a note from his teacher suggesting that he be taken from school as he was “too stupid to learn?” “My boy is not stupid.” said the mother to herself. “I will teach him myself.” She did, and Thomas A. Edison was the result. “Exceptional?” In faith, yes! Edward J. Bok. Joseph Csatari: A Career in Art Leading Illustrator/Painter in Hungarian Museum Exhibition A “don’t miss” show of artist Joseph Csatari is in progress at the Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation until the end of March. It opened in mid-November at New Brunswick, NJ, and includes numerous works across the spectrum of his styles. From fishing in mountain streams, scouting and commemorative stamps for the US Postal Service, to people leading everyday lives Saturday Evening Post style, this Hungarian American artist in oils and watercolors has captured the national character for decades. Possessing the ability to put his heart and soul into his paintings he has caught in many works the spirit of daily life and patriotism. He worked with Normán Rockwell, as art director for the Boy Scouts advertising and calendars, and took up the Scout calendar illustration work himself when Rockwell retired. His art has appeared in the One Woman - After Another The Bible reveals that in a time when only males counted for much, the heavenly Father had created some really awesome women. Everyone knows of Jesus’s dear mother Mary, and his cousin John the Baptist’s pious mother Elizabeth. And who can forget Ruth of the caring heart, or brave Queen Esther? The early Church gloried in its recollection of Martha and Mary, Lois and Eunice in Paul’s family, Dorcas, Phoebe, Priscilla, Claudia, so many blessed by God. Countless martyrs, the many women raped, enslaved and persecuted, kept the faith amidst the howling mob in the arena or the wars amongst the divided churches. Other women of later years like Margaret Zwingli in Switzerland, Margaretta Luther in Germany, and Jeanne Lefranc Calvin in France raised up the heroic Reformers. Zsuzsanna Lorantffy in Hungary set a model of charity still copied in the churches today. In later days, the list could be exhausting, we can boast of Susan B. Anthony and Mother Theresa. But we would be remiss in omitting Catherine Peiffer, missionary to China for years before World War II, or Anna Wagner who cared for tots at Bethany Home, honored at its centennial as “Housemother of the Century” by former boys and girls she cared for. However, let us not forget the women right at home who have made a difference. During the Great Depression, when the new church’s mortgage was due, there was always at least one woman who rolled up her sleeves and said, “Let’s make csiga!” Others put away the hand scrub board to help in Vacation Bible school. Some arose early to catch the bus to teach Sunday School fifty-two weeks a year. Elder. Minister. What’s more, they’re still here. God continues to give us blessings of yet many others of His handiwork who can see that there are times when “just one woman” can make a difference. So He gives us today one woman - then another! Post, Time, Boys Life, Readers Digest, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and McCall’s. Some of the works on exhibit were loaned for the exhibit by the National Scouting Museum, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, the Scotts Company (MiracleGro) and others. He designed the stamps for the American Red Cross and the Seeing Eye dogs for the Post Office. His Rockwell type works brought him fame and success, but his portraits and other works demonstrate his insight and tremendous ability to express inner feelings on a two dimensional medium. The Hungarian Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 4, and Sundays 1 to 4, at 300 Somerset Street. Further information is available at 732-846-5777, or e-mail info@ahfoundation.org The special curator for the exhibit is Patricia Fazekas, who was one of his models as a little girl. Calvin Synod’s own Rev. August Molnár is the President, and you may be assured of a warm welcome.
