Magyar Egyház, 1965 (44. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1965-08-01 / 8-9. szám
i MAGYAR EGYHÁZ WHAT UGONIER MAY MEAN TO US Any of our first or second generation members who hear the word Ligonier, envision the old large frame building on the hill, which through these decades grew close to our hearts. To them it is needless to speak about the meaning of Ligonier, or more correctly, of the Bethlen Home. And those who watched the tremendous growth and building activities of recent years proudly pointed to them as the outward manifestations of the inward spirit, love and charity for the household of the faithful. And, yet, even among these and many other less informed, the Bethlen Home has become a conversation piece and a challenge of the validity of our cause as represented by the institution. Our third and fourth generation members are at a loss at understanding the hairsplitting differences of opinions as to our obligations toward the Home. It is mostly for their benefit that we offer this brief and frank discussion of the problem. The Bethlen Home is the charity arm of the Hungarian Reformed people in America, who are members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation or of the Churches of our national origin, or both. It is located in Ligonier, a peaceful hamlet built upon the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania. It is an institution housing “orphans,” both dependent children and the aged, in two separate buildings — one in the heart of the town and the new one on the hill. On occasion it hosts national and denominational meetings, at summer time it maintains a well staffed Hungarian School of a good reputation. Thus it becomes more than an orphanage and old folks’ home. It began 44 years ago, when some children, orphaned by a mine disaster, needed a home and Christian care. It soon became evident, however, that there were also “orphans” whose age reached the Biblical years and no one cared for them. But God always provides out of the dedication and sacrifices of his people. He did in our case, too. Hungarian Reformed Christians organized the institution, the Federation gave the initial investment and the churches gave the leadership; the general support came from both. It seems to me that at the beginning, when the actual need filled the minds of the founders, no one questioned who had the legal right to, or the corporate ownership of this charitable undertaking. It was accepted by all of us as a moral responsibility, a Christian duty, to create and to provide; to help our own and to have one of our own. But, then, the growth of the institution brought questions of leadership, legal structure and ownership, into the foreground and somehow the original purpose was lost in the search and discussions of issues. The problem could be simplified to the question of legalism and family quarrel vs. moral obligation and opportunity of service. The institution certainly serves a dual purpose. It presents a need and offers an opportunity for charitable work. The first of these easily presents itself, for “the poor will always be with us” and there is always a certain human need, when you are left alone, regardless of financial conditions. The second purpose is not so readily seen, unless we point out that charity as such is one of the duties of the Church. The preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, the maintenance of good order (discipline), and last, but not least, charity are the main functions of the Church. Thus the Bethlen Home of 13 Ligonier “provides” an opportunity and helps us to fulfill not only a need, but an essential part of the Christian life and work. Charity may and should begin, first, in the congregation, but is is very seldom practiced there nor should it stop there. It should be practiced in the local community in which we live and widened to cover the needy of the world. Of course, from time to time, there are some special appeals, but the general needs of the brethren in the faith are always present. The supporters of orphans and needy people in foreign lands, or the contributors to nation-wide organizations and world wide movements, very seldom question the legal entities, ownership of buildings in which the work is carried on. The service rendered is the important factor. Could we climb to that same level of support for our “own” home? Could we, who so easily harbor dissension among ourselves, concentrate on our obligations and concern ourselves about the need and opportunities of service? If we could, then we would move mountains by our faith and love. The several factions of our religious heritage should unite on the “neutral” ground (it is fortunate, in fact, that the ownership is common!) and widen the opportunities of service. The past may be best served by an authentic museum in which objects and records of the early beginnings would speak of a heroic determination. The present and the future are entwined: for a library, a printing press or publication center may serve the future as well as the present, and a youth camp and summer cultural activities would serve the present as well as the future generations. All this, of course, should be over and above the general provisions for and the Christian care of those who are in the Home. Ligonier, rather the Bethlen Home, is and could be more meaningful to us when it ceases to be merely an object of criticism or the subject of legal discussions, and becomes a God-given opportunity which readily lends itself to be the “cause” and the “means” for our charitable work at the same time. What will it be? Will it be shortsightedness and meager handouts, or dedication for united tasks and cheerful support for our common goals? Will it be legalism or spiritual obligation? It should be a creative witness for our faith and work, in the vineyard which belongs to God but which is “ours” as a special responsibility. Stephen Szőke PERSONALS The Rev. Ákos G. Papp and his wife Inkeri Jaaskelainen, became the parents of a daughter on July 28. She was born in the Evangelical Hospital at Marshalltown, and her name is Aranka Lisa. This is their second child. A daughter, Ilona Mia, was born to the Rev. Dr. Aladar Komjáthy, pastor of the Passaic Hungarian Reformed Church, and his wife the former Hendrika Aletta Brillenburg-Wurth. Godparents: Dr. Attila Kövy and his wife Mia Brillenburg-Wurth (Holland). They were represented at the christening by Chief Elder István György and Mrs. John Nemesnyik. The sacrament of baptism was administered by Dr. Zoltán Béky.
