Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1991. British and American Philologycal Studies (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 20)

Lehel Vadon: Roger Williams' Principle of "A Free Church in a Free State" in Hungary

13 1640's^ which was reminiscent in both spirit and language of the religious debates in Hungary. Mihály Horváth with his frequent references to his age and nation, with his clear and at the same time artistic style, reminds us strongly of Roger Williams' treatises and pamphlets. As was the case with the vast majority of his writings, he wrote his work with the express aim of affecting his nation, lifting it up and inspiring it. Williams' principle of "a free church in a free state" was first represented by Canon Vurda, delegate of the Chapter of Győr at the diet of 1843, when he called for "a free country, free religion and free church" for everyone, and was applauded by the whole Housed It is no mere coincidence that Mihály Horváth's study on Williams appeared during the year after the "Ausgleich",^ when as a result of the creation of the liberal state and its legal system, liberals were demanding the separation of church and state, religious freedom and equality. The study first appeared in 1868 in the Budapesti Szemle,^ proving its significance and importance, the work was re-published twice during the years when the struggle between the church and state became particularly fierce. The second edition of 1873 was probably a result of the continuing strain in relations between the Hungarian state, church and the Vatican. It seems clear too that in the 1890's, right in the middle of newer church-state disagreements, the reformist press republished the work which supported the reforms planned by the Wekerle government in religious matters both in form and spirit.