Fraternity-Testvériség, 1951 (29. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1951-06-01 / 6. szám
6 TESTVÉRISÉG The Lindbergh bed is unpriced as yet. In it slept the “lone eagle” when he was visiting the Coolidges in 1927 after his triumphant ocean flight. * * * The work of securing new members is going on energetically and with remarkable success in every one of our organizational districts. The result for May: 266 new members. Welcome in our fold, all of you! * * * There are important events ahead of us in our own small world. Labor Day’s week, as usual, will be a very busy period for several of our activities. On Labor Day, Sept. 3, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bethlen Home, with the dedication of the new wing of the Old People’s Home on the hill and the new living quarters for the Director and his family, attached to the main building in Ligonier, Pa. The same day, in the afternoon, the Church Elders’ National Federation will hold its annual conference. On Tuesday, Sept. 4, the directors of the Bethlen Home will meet in the morning. In the afternoon a special meeting will be held by the Supreme Council of our Federation, while the same day and the next will be taken over by the annual conference of the Ministerial Association. * * * Speaking of the new additions to the Bethlen Home, which will cost in the neighborhood of $100,000 and will create new accommodations for 26 additional old people, a number of children and for the Director’s family, it will be useful to make comparisons with the similar activities of another fraternal organization, which is much larger than ours. We are speaking of the “Royal Neighbors of America” whose membership numbers over half a million. (Incidentally, the official valuation of our Federation is considerably higher and better than theirs.) This very large fraternal association has an old people’s home near Davenpot, Iowa. The building has a third floor which to date has not been used. Putting new rooms there and installing an elevator, they will spend in excess of $200,000.00 to create new living quarters for only 21 additional old people. At present there are 42 old people in the home, so their final total will be 63 persons. In our Bethlen Home at present there are 45 old people. With the new addition to the building, the total eventualy will be 71. I am mentioning these facts and figures with the view of demonstrating to our membership that the charitabe work of our own institution is not wasteful or extravagant. On the contrary — while we take very good care of our charges and provide them with fine accommodations, all this costs much less than the work and investment of similar associations. If a very large fraternal organization, which is more than seventeen times as big as our Federation, takes care of 63 old people, there must be ample reason for a justified satisfaction and pride for our own membership that through similar work of our Federation we soon will be able to take care of 71 old persons. * * * President Újlaki visited the congregation at Flint, Mich. (Rev. Andrew Nagy, Pastor) in connection with the joyous occasion that the church properties became free and clear of all debts. During the 34 years of the church’s life, our Federation came to its aid twice with mortgage loans — and it was gratefully pointed out at the festivities that the Federation has been the best friend of the congregation. Today, the church property, clear of all debts, is valued at over $50,000.00. Our President also visited the congregation at Fairport Harbor, Ohio, which was his first pastorate and of which he was the first full-time resident pastor. The congregation celebrated its 45th anniversary. Its minister, the Rev. Béla Bacsó, is one of our most progressive and popular American trained ministers, who is leading this fine congregation with singular ability and success. THANKING... Mr. President: We are thanking you for your prompt reply on sending out the insurance money following my son’s death. Thank you! Very truly yours: Mr. & Mrs. Alex Szekeres Vestaburg, Pa.
