Magyar Egyház, 1979 (58. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-01-01 / 1. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ of some youngsters, that gleam in his eye and kind of understanding half smile on his face as he would exclaim, “Azok a betyárok.” I can also still remember what seemed to be his favorite expression when told of some bizarre act, “Borzasztó” he would reply. He was a disciplinarian, but a just and understanding man. In 1930, he united the congregation in a drive to finance and erect our Christian Education Building. In 1938, he was elected Dean of the Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. He served in this capacity for sixteen years. During this period he also served as pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Roebling, New Jersey for more than fifteen years. In 1954, he was elected Arch Dean of the Denomination and in 1958, was reelected when the title of that office was elevated to that of Bishop. Bishop Béky visited the Holy Land, the Middle East, Latin America, Western Europe and Great Britain as an official delegate of the Hungarian Reformed Church. He was active in the National Council of Churches in the USA, the World Council of Churches, the North America Area Council of the Reformed and Presbyterian World Alliances and the 19th General Council of the World Presbyterian Alliance in Frankfurt Germany. He held executive positions in many of these organizations, and in many cases, was the first representative of the Hungarian Reformed Church to do so. Through his many civic activities, he became well known to the citizens of Trenton. He served as Commissioner on the Governor’s Committee on Refugee Relief and on many other state and city committees. He was active in the Hungarian Reformed Federation of which he eventually became president. He was invited to participate in the Holy Communion Service for the United States Congress on two occasions. On three occasions, he was invited to offer the Invocation at the opening of both Houses of Congress. He was awarded the George Washington Award in 1969 for his distinctive service as a distinguished pastor and churchman, eminent humanitarian and civic leader, lecturer and writer. In 1970, he was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Board of the Small Business Administration and in 1971, as Presidential Advisory Member of the White House Conference of the Aged. He was the author of several hooks and contributor of numerous articles on religious, educational and political subjects. Yes, we the members of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Trenton, New Jersey can take great pride in this man who served our church and the Hungarian community for so many years. It is reassuring to know that even to the very end, in this the fiftieth year since being elected to the pastorate of our church and even more reassuring, the fourteenth year since leaving this position, he still considered this to be his home as evidenced by his desire to be buried from this church and make Trenton his final resting place. The Board of Elders of this church recently saw fit to memorialize the deceased members of our congregation. After many months of discussion and planning, the inscribed plaque located on the far wall was ready for dedication. As if by the will of God, the dedication of this plaque was scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 1978, the very same day as the demise of our dear departed Bishop Zoltán Béky. Also, the inscription chosen for this plaque was especially fitting for Bishop Beky. It reads, from 11 Timothy chapter 4 verses 7 and 8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous, will award to me on that day. In the native tongue of our dear departed brother, that appropriate Bible passage reads from the Hungarian Bible: Ama nemes harczot én megharczoltam, Futásomat elvégeztem, A hitet megtartottam. Végezetre eltétetett nékem az igazság koronája, Melyet megád nékem az LTr ama napon, amaz igaz biró; Nem csak nékem pedig, hanem mindeneknek is, Kik várándják amaz ő dicsőséges eljövetelét * * * Vés, my dear Bishop Beky, Vou have fought the good fight, You have finished the race, lou have kept the faith. 'Äi ithout a doubt, the Crown of Righteousness is laid up for you and will be awarded to you. GOD BE WITH YOU. ☆ ☆
