Fraternity-Testvériség, 1944 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1944-02-01 / 2. szám
10 TESTVÉRISÉG A temetőben Végeláthatatlan kocsisor szállította a gyászolókat a temetőbe, ahol a spanyol-amerikai háború veteránjai állottak utolsó diszőrségül. Itt Daróczy Mátyás clevelandi lelkész, az Evangelical and Reformed Church Magyar Egyházkerületének elnöke végezte magyarul a szertartást a megásott sir előtt: “Amerikai magyar református életünknek egyik leghatalmasabb tölgyfája tört derékba és borult e sirba, amely Molnár István porhüvelyét zárja magában. Lelke él Istennek jobbján, ahova haza hivta az Ur. Emléke áldott, megmarad. Buzdít bennünket arra, hogy folytassuk azt a krisztusi munkát, amelynek ő törhetetlen, megfáradhatatlan harcosa volt.” Szavai végeztével egy kis érmecskét helyezett a sir száján nyugvó koporsóra. Néhány porszemet tartalmazott az a “hazai föld”-bői. így egy szemernyi anyag Kossuth Lajos szülőfalujából össze fog vegyülni az amerikai humusszal, s Molnár Istvánunk elporladó testével. Nagy Ferenc cantoni lelkész, a Magyar Presbyterian Konferencia elnöke lépett ekkor a sirhoz és szólott: “I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shalal never die.” “For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we nave a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” We have gathered at this grave to lay at rest the earthly remains of a man — a good man. This single and simple little adjective — good — is the highest praise that even the bible bestows on any man. In this case also it fully applies, for Stephen Molnár was a good man even in the strict biblical sense of the word. It is a fitting epitaph for us indelibly to imprint upon the tombstone marking the perishable body of this kindly soul. Stephen Molnár was a big man — big in body, big in heart and big in spirit. Like Saul of old, “when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.” We keenly feel his loss. Yet we are happier for having known him, and the Kingdom of God is richer for the life he lived. Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God to take unto Himself the soul of our brother departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes tc ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our corruptible body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. Almighty God, who by the death of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ hast destryed death, by His rest in the tomb has sanctified the graves of the saints, and by his glorious resurrection hast' brought life and immortality to light: receive, we beseech Thee, our unfeigned thanks for the victory over death and the grave which He hath obtained for us and for all who sleep in Him; and keep us in everlasting fellowship with all that wait for Thee on earth, and with all that are around Thee in heaven; in union with Him who is the resurrection and the life, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. “The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.” Nehány katonásan rövid mondat hangzott még a spanyol háborús veteránok parancsnokának ajakáróL... A diszőrség sortüzet adott.... Takarodót fújtak.... Néhai Molnár István teste eltűnt szemeink elől.... Lelke tovább él.... Emlékezetét zengeni fogja a ligonieri hegyen nemsokára megszólaló “István” harang. A miénk volt ő s a miénk marad. WILLIAM KOPSCO BARNEY KOPSCO 302. New Brunswick, N. J. 302. New Brunswick, N. J. 309. Marlins Ferry, O.
