Fraternity-Testvériség, 1970 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1970-04-01 / 4-6. szám

A Memorable Anniversary

The United States Senate Praises the Ministry of The Rev. Edward L. R. Elsőn, Chaplain of the U. S. Senate, Minister of the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C.

In the morning session of April 27, the day which marked the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Dr. Edward L. R. Elsőn, Chaplain of the U. S. Senate and Minister of the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C., fourteen Senators praised the great values of the manifold services rendered by Dr. Elsőn to his Church, to the Nation, to the Armed Forces and to the community of Greater Washington.

Sen. Mark 0. Hatfield, of Oregon, the keynote speaker of the event, said, among others, as follows: “The 40 years of Chaplain Elson’s ministry began in California. For 10 years he served as minister of the First Presbyterian Church in La Jolla until 1941. It was then that his ministry was particularly turned in service toward our Nation. For five years he served as chaplain to our Army in Europe and during that time received numerous decorations for his courage and distinguished service. He returned home to become minister of the National Presbyterian Church here in Washington. Since that time the force of Dr. Elson’s ministry has been felt throughout the country.

Our Nation best know Dr. Elsőn as the pastor to Dwight Eisenhower. The contribution he made to the life of this one man may never fully be known. We can be certain that the force of President Eisenhower’s character and the inspiration of his leadership were, in some measure, the result of Edward Elson’s ministry.” “The Senate — continued Senator Hatfield — often

becomes a forum of heated disagreement, divisiveness, and polarization. We, perhaps, more than any body or organization in this land, need a chaplain, for it is in our deep spiritual convictions that we can often discover the basis for a reconciliation that transcends all other differences. I am deeply appreciative that Chaplain Elsőn is with us to serve as our counselor and pastor.”

The Americans of Hungarian origin are glad to join in to add their own praises to Dr. Elson’s anniversary. Especially the Hungarians of Washington City and environment learned to value his counsel and guidance as well as his fine oratory on several occasions. At the time when Hungarians were fleeing from their oppressed country, the National Presbyterian Church, under Dr. Elson’s leadership, gave a shining example of helpfulness and positive assistance to the homeless. And ever since, he and his great Church (most recently, by permitting for the members of the reformed faith’s local community to hold Hungarian language services in the Presidential Chapel of the new National Presbyterian Church) proved to be again our closest friends in the Nation’s Capitol.

DEDICATION OF

THE NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The National Presbyterian Church, one of the most beautiful House of Worship in Washington, D. C., was dedicated on May 10th, 1970. The cost of this magnificent building was well over eight million dollars. The leaders of 38 denominations—including the Roman Catholic Church—were attending and taking part in the dedication ceremonies.

On the picture left: The Most Reverend Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin, representing the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, right: The Right Reverend Dr. Zoltán Beky, Bishop Emeritus, representing the Hungarian Reformed Church in America.

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