Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-04-01 / 4-5. szám
4 FRATERNITY “WHAT DO YE MORE THAN OTHERS?” By Francis Újlaki, D. D., President What do you more than others? If you do only what others do, in what are you different from them? The injunction-like implication is that you have to be different, and actually give more. This is the gist of what Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount. This is exactly what he expects of his followers — of individuals and of groups. He definitely requires this of us and our Reformed Federation. In what are we really different? Do we do more than merely sell insurance? What is that “Plus” element — that extra something — that the Reformed Federation renders in service over and above its regular business of issuing life insurance, sick benefit and hospitalization certificates? In what fields does the Federation exceed the services rendered by similar organizations? The service program of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America includes the following, rendered beyond its scope of business activity: I. THE BETHLEN HOME The State of Pennsylvania is known for its wooded mountain ranges and verdant valleys, among which the towering and stately Alleghenies are the most beautiful. In a cup-like valley of these giants lies the Borough of Ligonier. Just north of the Borough, on a hill lined with imposing spruce and birch, one can see two of the buildings of the Home; the third, or the Farm House, is situated just over the hill. The official name of these buildings is “The Old People’s Home of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America.” In a beautiful spot near the village green there is another building, in front of which an outdoor bulletin board bears this name, “The Children’s Home of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America.” These are the homes which house the orphans, the fatherless and the homeless children of our Federation among whom we find a large number who are the offsprings of non-members. Here, also, are the aged, the weary and the friendless. The abbreviated name of the two institutione is, “THE BETHLEN HOME.” It was named after Gabriel Bethlen, the Prince of Transylvania and one of the most renowned Hungarian Reformed churchmen, himself an orphan, who became a stalwart champion of both religious and political freedom. On the average the Home feeds around a hundred persons a day — persons who come from broken homes, uncared for and unloved; persons who are lonely and tired, nearing the end of life’s journey.
