Reformátusok Lapja, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1972-02-01 / 2. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 5 (This Eulogy was delivered at Dr. Arthur Moor’s funeral service in Hartford, Connecticut on January 4, 1972 by the Rt. Rev. A. L. Beretz, Bishop of Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ.) Text: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God” Mark 12: 34 Bereaved Family, Christian Friends: An expert in the law inquired of Jesus: “Which is the commandment which takes priority over all others? And Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your whole soul, and your whole mind and with all your strength,” and the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Well said, Teacher, answered the expert in the law. You spoke the truth when you said that God is one, and that for a man to love him with his whole heart and his whole intelligence and with all his strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, far out-weighs all burnt-offerings and sacrifices. Jesus saw that he had answered wisely and he said to him: You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Today, we have gathered to honor an expert in the law and a man, I believe, not far from the Kingdom of God. Arthur Moor was a rare human being. A man endowed with high intellectual capabilities, a deep cultural heritage and a child-like faith in God and a great love for his fellowman. His profession was Law. He brought to it a high degree of competency and proficiency. There may have been a time in his life when he might have been tempted to use his legal mind and knowledge for personal power and gain, but when we came to know him, following World War II, when there remained nothing of his former world save an indomitable will to survive and live, he looked upon his profession as an instrument to serve his fellowman. Although, he respected the letter of the law, he increasingly sought to understand and convey the spirit of the law. Even when doing a legal favor, he would insist that a fee be paid for services rendered even if it was only a token fee. (A nickle or a dime or even a penny.) He gave of himself unselfishly in many causes. A poor man received from him the same high degree of professional services as would a well-to-do client. His sense of history was profound. He was an unending source of historical vignettes, of behind- the-scene stories — involving the great — and the near great, both in and out of government, here and abroad. He was a great friend. No sacrifice, no personal inconvenience mattered if he could spend some time with one whom he called “friend.” He loved to be with people. His sense of humor made everyone feel at ease while at the same time planting a fruitful thought into the merriment. Yes, Arthur loved his neighbor as himself. His family, his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, son-in-law, daughter-in-law were always in his thoughts. During the struggles in a new land, with a new language, a new way of life, a new educational system, he was deeply concerned for his family; but as they found their respective places in society, he glowed with pride and happiness. Yes, it can be said: Arthur Moor loved his neighbor as himself. In 1970 Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ honored our departed friend with a testimonial dinner. He was awarded a certificate which read in part: “In grateful recognition for his legal counseling, pioneering efforts, ecumenical spirit, and fruitful public services exhibited unreservedly in our fellowship for many years.” His passion was to keep and strengthen the fellowship of Calvin Synod. Not only because he loved the Calvinist heritage of the Hungarian Reformation; not only because he was raised in a Reformed pastor’s family; not only because he had a strong cultural and historical tradition and background, but also because over and beyond his ethnicity, he coveted for all mankind, the gift, he himself had received from the teachings of Jesus Christ, by and through his faith and life in the Hungarian Reformed Church tradition. He believed that a unique and significant contribution to Protestantism and the Christian Church had been made in Eastern Europe by the Reformation in Hungary and that this contribution was worthy of loyalty and faith. He proved this by organizing our Hartford church, almost single-handedly. For this belief no sacrifice, no contribution was too great and in the process, he became an outstanding expert in church law. Yes, Arthur Moor believed that God is one and that to love Him with all one’s heart, intelligence, and strength out-weighs all burnt offerings and sacrifices. How do we bid farewell to such a man? What human words of consolation can we bring this body of family and friends? I am also most certain, he would say: Don’t even try. I rest now from my labors. Yet, I am equally certain that he would accept with deep humility the words spoken by Jesus to that colleague of long ago, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Amen.
