Fraternity-Testvériség, 1957 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1957-05-01 / 5. szám
8 FRATERNITY WITHDRAWAL, ELECTION, FREEDOM! A LETTER SENT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES April 4, 1957 Mr. Dwight D. Eisenhower White House — Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President: Hungary is often described as the bulwark of Western Christianity and Western Civilization. Little is it known that the three million Hungarians following the Reformed faith regard themselves as the Easternmost bulwark of Western Protestantism. The members of the Hungarian Reformed Church follow a strong Calvinistic doctrinal tradition. In creed they are closely related to the Reformed Churches in Germany and Holland, and to the Presbyterian Church. In church government they successfully combine the episcopal and presbyterial systems. Throughout the past four centuries they had been often forced to fight for the right to hold on to their faith. During the rule of the Hapsburg kings they were persecuted. Their lands had been confiscated and a large number of the clergy was imprisoned. In the era of persecution many Hungarians had suffered martyrdom and galley slavery for their faith. Under the wise leadership of Bethlen and Bocskai they heroically and successfully fought for religious freedom. It was their endeavors “to live with God and unto God, in a free country.” Today the members of the Hungarian Reformed Church realize that it is the will of God that they should serve as a bridge linking Western Christianity to the resuscitated Eastern Orthodox Churches of Russia, Bulgaria, Rumania and Yugoslavia. This is neither an easy, nor a thankful task. The Hungarian Revolution in the fall of 1956 had been ruthlessly crushed by Communist Russia. Hungary is again behind the iron curtain. We have received reports that in the process of house cleaning, revenge and retaliation, the Hungarian Reformed Church is suffering persecutions by the Kadar communist government. Leaders of the clergy and laity elected by the people are forced to resign from their positions. Fifty thousand Americans of Hungarian extraction and Calvinistic tradition belonging to 127 congregations in the United States are praying for the safety of their persecuted brethren in Hungary. The Synodical Council of the Magyar Synod affiliated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church is asking you to urge the United Nations to request the withdrawal of the Soviet occupation forces from Hungary, supervise a free election and guarantee religious freedom. Respectfully yours, Arpad George, Stephen M. Bessemer, Acting Secretary President
