The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-06-01 / 6. szám
Page 2 THE EIGHTH TRIBE June, 1978 DEDICATION This magazine is dedicated to the Eighth Tribe in America, descendants oj the original Seven Magyar Tribes. Whatever their faith, their familiarity with their ancestral language, or their degree of Hungarian ancestry, we address ourselves to each of them. —o— If this reading is your first acquaintance with “THE EIGHTH TRIBE’, we hope you find it informative and enjoyable and that in time you will become of our regular subscribers. THE EDITOR’S CORNER BETHLEN CULTURAL INSTITUTE The preservation of the American Hungarian Heritage Last month we reported the latest suggestions and plans for the former Bethlen Home Orphanage in Ligonier, Pa. There were many recommendations brought forward by different organizations. They are all worthwhile plans, if only the involved bodies could get together for a common solution. At one time the American Hungarian community had more than 200 churches of both catholic and reformed faith. An important question concerning those of us who were horn in the early part of this century is, “What ivill happen or did happen to our baptismal and marriages church records? Were they thrown out or burned?” The time might come when some of us will need these important certificates. The preservation of the minutes of churches, local and national societies in which important facts are recorded for the future generations is needed. At the present time we have no facility to house these. Perhaps God’s infinite wisdom forbids the sale of the orphanage building to a business concern. THE EIGHTH TRIBE Editor ............................................................ Sándor E. Chomos Contributing Editors: .......... Albert Wass, Joseph Széplaki, István S. Tuba, Elizabeth Tuba, Steven B. Várdy, M. Takács Barboe, Endre Nánay, László Könnyű. Mollie E. Webster, Kálmán Bognár Published and printed monthly by the Bethlen Press, Inc. P. O. Box 637, Ligonier, Pa. 15658, UB-A. Second Class Postage paid at Ligonier, Pa. 15658. USA. Subscription: $8.00 yearly. For more than a half century American Hungarians of all faiths donated many hundred thousand dollars for the upkeep of the orphanage caring for children of all faiths as long as they were of Hungarian parentage. The last two years there were six catholics and one reformed child cared for in the orphanage. The argument that this is just a Hungarian Reformed churches problem is just not so. What will happen to the building concerns all of us! The Canadian Hungarian community has successfully completed a national campaign collecting $300,000.00 toward the establishment of a chair in Hungarian studies at the University of Toronto. The Canadian Government provided a matching fund, thereby assuring the creation of the first prestigious academic position in North America solely devoted to Hungarian related studies. Our congratulations to the Canadian Hungarian community for this achievement. This should be an example to follow in creating the ‘Bethlen’ or if you just want to call it ‘Hungarian Cultural Institute’: Besides as a Museum and Archives, the building can also serve as a meeting place for many organizations. A common headquarters for our Church bodies and their organizations. Headquarters for the American Hungarian Federation. A place to present short courses on Hungarian culture for high school, college students or older people who might be interested. The Eighth Tribe proved that we of Hungarian ancestry can work together to attain a common goal. In this same spirit we can work toward the establishment of a Hungarian Cultural Institute here in Ligonier, Pa. The Canadian Hungarian Community, I less in numbers, than the Hungarian Community in the U.S.A.), was able to achieve their goal. What is our excuse? * « « It is our pleasure to greet the children and their parents of the Hungarian school of St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church of New Brunswick. Our congratulations also to Father Fűzér and Sister Agnes. Over one hundred children are attending St. Ladislaus school and learning many things about their heritage. The Eighth Tribe is honored to have a small but significant part in the education of the children. * * *
