Magyar Egyház, 1954 (33. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1954-02-01 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 After fulfilling all the necessary requirements, the University of Debreczen, Hungary conferred the degree of Doctor of Theology upon him. As one of the most promising theologians, a scholar of distinction with a promising future, he was called to the Seminary of Sárospatak to be the Professor of Dogmatics and Systematic Theology. But, he stayed in Perth Amboy, N. J., and worked in his beloved congregation. He received from his Alma Mater the citation of Honorary Professorship in 1947. His interest and world-concept was made manifest in his writings. He was the most prolific writer of his Church, before whom problems of politics, education, economical, ecumenical and ecclesiastical were all open. The “Magyar Church” our denominational monthly found in him a powerful and steadfast stronghold as editor, business manager, representative and writer. He approached all Hungarian Reformed Churches affiliated with other denominations with the same warm-hearted affectionate love but firm persuasion. He was obsessed with the undestructible hope that the time will come when all Hungarian Reformed Churches in America might be one, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who is the head and cornerstone of the Church. If the Dutch, German, French and other churches have kept their faith and denominational loyalty, he hoped to see the dawn of the day, when Hungarians, now affiliated with different Boards of National Missions, might be united in one body. He was never ashamed of his faith, Church and nationality, working ceaselessly toward the high aim that all other—through God’s mercy—may boast of the same — true faith, Church and national adhearence. The influence of his Christian life was felt in the whole American-Hungarian life. He was twice president of the American Hungarian Ministerial Association, he was on the staff of directors of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and the Hungarian Federation of America (the first is a fraternal and the second is a civil organization), and the American Hungarian Relief; he was one of the founders of the “World Federation of Free Hungarian Reformed Christians”; he represented our denomination at the meetings and conferences of “The Alliance of the Reformed Churches througout the world holding the Presbyterian System.”, also International Council of Christian Churches.” The sudden death of Dr. Vincze has thrown into an unmeasurable mourning not only those he loved and his beloved congregation, but the entire communion of our Church. The loss of Dr. Vincze is an unfathomable blow to all American Hungarians. In him we lament the loss of a great servant of the Lord, who loved his people with deep devotion. May the comfort and sustaining grace of our heavenly Father be with our communion who grieve for the loss of a true friend. His funeral attended by thousands from far and near, and conducted according to his will was an example of a puritan Calvinistic memorial service. Those who wished to express their sympathy in the form of withering flowers were asked to give donations to charitable good causes as the Mission Fund and the “Magyar Egyház” of our Church, Hungarian Federation of America, our Orphanage, Bethlen Home and the like. “Flourishing institutions instead of withering flowers” were the words in his will. A handful of soil from his native Hungary and America were placed beneath his head. The requested psalms and hymns were sung, with the Scripture of II Timothy 4:7-8, the 65 ministers from various denominations and everyone who gathered together to pay their last respect, said their farewell to Dr. Charles Vincze: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” Dezső Abraham. KOSZORÚ A SZERETET VIRÁGAIBÓL A PERTH AMBOY-I UJ SÍRRA Az Amerikai Független Magyar Református Egyház “feje koronája” váratlanul lehullott. Dr. Vincze Károly főesperes szive örökre megállott. 1954 jan. 31-én a legkülönb amerikai magyar református lelkipásztor hazatért Urához. Vannak döbbentes hírek, amik, ha szivünkre szálltak elsápadunk, nem tudjuk valóságként elfogadni és megérteni. Nemet sikolt a szivünk, csak később értjük meg, hogy aki mindenünk volt, nincs többé. Fájdalmas csend ül a szivünkre és egyre azután kiált, aki mindörökre elment. 1922 őszén hallottam először nevét. Az ősi főiskola csendjét felverte a nem rég visszaérkezett diák sereg zsibongása. Az iskolakert fái bíborba kezdtek öltözni a közelgő ősz fogadására. Csurrant a nektár a Hegyalján. Mintha a szelíd őszi napsugárban egy kis szomorúság is hullott volna a “Pletyka-domb” felé. Cserkészek, nagyobb gimnázisták, komoly togátus diákok egy nevet sóhajtgattak: tiszteletes Vincze Károly főiskolai szénior ur nevét. Nagyon a szivükhöz nőhetett, mert sokáig emlegették. Ezalatt a szénior ur hajója végtelen vizeken úszott egy ismeretlen világ felé, amely sorsa, végzete és 32 év után temetője lett. Az őszi búcsú után 15 évre újra az ő nevétől hangos az öreg főiskola. Tanárok, a tiszáninneni kerület idősebb atyái vissza akarják hozni a leghübb pataki diákot theológiai tanárnak szeretett Alma Materébe. Személye két részre osztja a kerületet. Fiatalok, akik nem ismerik, ellene fordulnak, az idősebbek mellette foglalnak állást. A távolság miatt csatát vészit és a hü diáknak álma szerte foszlik, sohasem megy vissza Patakra, ahonnan lelkében sohasem szakadt el. A nagy világégés után, amikor mindenki Amerika földjét látja az egyetlen boldog révnek, akkor egyik ellenfelének megbékülten nyújtja kezét és alázatosan elismeri, hogy Isten nagy csalódásában sok szenvedéstől mentette meg. Azután évtizedek peregnek le az idő homok óráján. Ki hitte volna, hogy egyszer szemtől szembe állok a főiskolai szénior úrral, akire 32 évvel ezelőtt olyan kiváncsi voltam, de most már mint főesperes-
