Fraternity-Testvériség, 1993 (71. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1993-01-01 / 1. szám
FRATERNITY Page 5 The HRFA CELEBRATING 100 YEARS IN 1996 In 1996 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. In this context, I would like to present a brief history of our fraternal society and inform our readers that additional articles on the subject will follow in subsequent issues of the Fraternity. It is my hope that we will thus be able to acquaint as many people as possible with the benevolent and charitable characteristics of this unique society, which was founded in the last decade of the 19th century. In the last two decades of the 19th century, there were many Hungarian immigrants working in coal mines and factories in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio. The poor immigrants, who came to this country with no knowledge of the English language, took any job they could find in order to provide for themselves and their families. The work was usually hard and dangerous. There were many accidents, particularly in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There was no one to protect or to provide for the family when the breadwinner was injured or killed. Consequently, in case of a tragedy, the family was usually left destitute and dependent on others for aid and charity. In an urge to help the destitute and stricken families, six ministers: Kalassay Sándor, Harsanyi Sándor, Demeter Bertalan, Dokus Gabor, Ferenczy Ferenc, Jurányi Gusztáv; five laymen: Nyitrai Emil. Fuzi Pal, Czimbalmos István, Pásztor István and Szabó Pal assembled in Trenton, New Jersey, and founded the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America on July 4, 1896. The aim of the founders was primarily to assist widows and orphans of miners and factory workers who met death at their work, but they were also determined to help all immigrants in poverty and need within the framework of an organized society. It is the strong faith of our founders, their hard work and strong determination to provide help where needed that made the Federation what it is today - a fraternal benefit society. As the early records show, the HRFA was never an exclusionary organization. It accepted into its membership not only Hungarian Protestants but also those who were of the Catholic and Jewish faith. When organized, the Federation was strictly a fraternal aid society. The dues were low, one dollar or less per month, and the death benefits amounted to varying sums. In addition, sick benefits were available to members with a payment of additional dues. One year after the organizational meeting, representatives of the Federation came together in Cleveland, Ohio, where the society, now with 320 members and $272.15 in assets, officially started organizing fraternal activities in Hungarian Protestant communities of Cleveland, OH, Bridgeport, CT, Trenton, NJ, Toledo, OH, Hazelton, PA, Johnstown, PA, and Phoenixville, PA. In 1898, the Federation established its first official newspaper, the “Orallo”, which was followed by the “Református Újság” and finally the “Testvériség.” These official organs of the Federation were instrumental in the development of the organization. They supplied readers with spiritual guidance and kept them informed about the financial operation of the organization as well as the cultural events that took place in their Hungarianspeaking communities. 1899 and 1900 were critical years in the life of the Federation. External attacks and internal struggles among the leaders demoralized the membership, and the organization lost almost half of its members. At the Convention in Cleveland in 1901, a new leadership emerged and reorganized the Federation, thus reversing the fortune of the Federation to a brighter future. The 10th anniversary of the Federation was celebrated in Trenton, NJ, on October 17, 1906. The president, Steve Molnár, reported that the Federation in its first 10 years of existence paid over $100,000 to the beneficiaries of deceased members. In order to increase the membership, two full-time field managers were hired. During that meeting, the idea of a home for children of deceased members also came into discussion. The same Convention voted for a $1,000 seed money to start a financial campaign to raise funds for the purchase of an existing building for the home. The seed money grew, but it was still not enough. Therefore, the Convention in 1919 passed a resolution whereby the Federation assessed a five cent-donation from each member for the purchase and operation of a Home for Orphans. The modern monetary system of the Federation was laid down at the Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1910. The membership dues and fees were replaced with a premium paying system based on the age of the new members. This Convention established the Sick Benefit section. The Convention in 1912 passed two major resolutions. It established the Juvenile Department and changed the time period between Conventions from two to three
