Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-04-01 / 4-5. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 FACING THE FUTURE If we are to be effective instruments of God in the work that He assigns to us His people, the Thirtysixth Annual Meeting will be called upon to make critical and far-reaching decisions. We are heirs of the Reformation in Hungary. This requires that we need continually to seek and to understand our spiritual roots, our religious heritage and the foundations of our faith in order to justify our life and work before God and our people. As a people we stand firmly under the rule and discipline of the Word of God. We share in the deep and abiding faith and piety of our professing fathers. The teachings of the Reformers, especially that of Calvin, is held in high esteem amongst us. The history of our church is filled with the heroic struggle and fight of martyr spiritual leaders, galley-slave pastors, unbending, stiff-necked country folk who could not be shaken in their re-formed faith by the forces of repression and counter-reformation. In the face of inhuman laws and treatment, they had the courage and the strength to build churches, schools, and parsonages. Not in defiance, but for the glory of God alone. And in the fight for freedom our spiritual leaders and ancestors gave life and blood to combat the unending stream of enemies who sought to kill both the body and spirit. With each new wave of war and famine, flood and disaster, each generation needed to begin anew the building of homes and churches. Amidst their trials and tribulations they were sustained by their most prized possessions: the Bible and the Psalter. It is with a deep sense of humility that we recall that we, the people of Calvin Synod, are direct descendants of that remnant of faith which God raised and sheltered for 400 years. Our past is a glorious one. But what of our future? Are we willing to honestly and frankly discuss and reassess our strengths and weaknesses? Are we willing to face the necessity of relocating many of our churches? Are we willing to make sacrifices in order to train pastors for the bilingual ministry? Will we have the courage to begin new work amongst our third generation people in the great metropolitan suburbs? Are we willing to accept the challenge and the responsibility of and for the diaspora? Are we willing to expand the work of Synod and undergird it with resources both material and spiritual? Are we willing to become one in Christ Jesus with our long separated brethren? The answer lies within each of us. For my part, I feel that God is again asking the remnant to show forth his Word and to lead His people in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. The Day of March is NOW. Arpad L. Beretz, Bishop 0 God, accept the praise I bring — The praise that in my heart doth sing For Mother! Oh God, I praise Thee for her love — A love like unto Thine above, Dear Mother! 1 praise Thee, God, I praise but Thee For all that she hath been to me, My Mother! O send Thy richest blessing down, And place it as a golden crown On Mother! Accept, O God, the praise I bring; O may its echoes ever ring For Mother! —Emma Grant Salisbury.-4 WotLr, to CUd 1 do not ask that you repay The hours of toil and pain. The sacrifice of youth and strength Shall not have been in vain, I do not ask for gratitude But only this, my child, That you shall live your life so well My gifts be not defiled. The nights 1 watched beside your crib, The years of love and care Will amply be repaid if once I see you standing there . . . An upright, honest soul On whom success has smiled, That I may say with humble pride . . . “THAT is my child!” —Selected. Beginnings of the Hungarian Bible Translation II. Known Bible Translations The beginnings of the Bible translations into Hungarian date back to the middle age. The official Latin Bible, the Vulgata, was used in churches and monastaries. The official language of the church and of universities was Latin, so it was not difficult for scholars to understand the Bible. Times changed, and the church moved further from the teachings of the early church. There were many who felt that something should be done to correct this unchurchlike situation. Those who did not agree with the official policy were called heretics and were persecuted. In spite of this, movements arose to reform the church. The “Cathari” movement spread through southern Europe, especially through southern France and Italy. Many of the persecuted
