Calvin Synod Herald, 1980 (80. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1980-01-01 / 1-2. szám

6

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

"A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO

DR. ALEXANDER TOTH AND

ALUMNI OF HUNGARIAN DESCENT OF

FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE"

A group of 30 men of Hungarian descent who might not have attended Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, returned to the campus on October 20, 1979, to honor the memory and deeds of the man, who made it possible for them to study at F&M.

A special tribute honored the late Dr. Alexander Toth, who was the Hungarian professor at F&M from 1922-36 where students of Hungarian descent could study the language, literature, history and culture of Hungary. Some 100 students were enrolled in the Hungarian studies program and they have made notable contributions in science, commerce, industry, the arts, humanities and Christian ministry.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Abraham Lincoln Award of the American Hungarian Foundation to the College in appreciation of F&M’s contribution to the education of Hungarian students during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

August J. Molnár, president of the foundation, made the presentation to Dean Richard P. Trains.

Also participating in the ceremony was Dr. Stephen D. Lockey, Sr., Alexander Toth of Washington, D.C., who is Professor Toth’s son, and James P. Gelhard, executive director of alumni affairs. Dr. Lockey helped organize the tribute to Dr. Toth, his teacher and friend.

Dr. Toth, who was bom in Hungary, came to Lancaster in 1922 at the call of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church to give young Hungarians in America a chance to acquire knowledge of Hungarian culture in addition to their regular college studies. He had been pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The creation of the Hungarian Department at F&M was a joint effort of the College and the Lancaster Theological Seminary. Dr. Toth was granted a professorship at F&M and an instructorship at the Seminary.

For 14 years, he provided instruction in the Hungarian department, organized extra-curricular events for students and raised scholarship funds. He was a friend to the students, who regarded Dr. Toth as a parent. His home became their home in Lancaster.

Attending the tribute to Dr. Toth were the following F&M alumni of Hungarian descent: Mr. Alexander A. Czapf, York, Pa.; Joseph Erdélyi, Jr., New York, New York; Reverend Ladislaus Hunyady, Colonia, NJ.; Reverend Dr. Emil Kontz, Detroit, Mi.; Reverend Louis G. Novak, Clearwater, FI.; Gregory Z. Olah, Deaborn Heights, Mi.; Albert J. Stelkovics, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Stephen Sziarto, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Stephen D. Lockey, Sr., Lancaster, Pa.; John J. Beluscsak, Mantua, Ohio; Dr. Louis A. Kalassay, McKeesport, Pa.; James Gere, Jr., Phoenixville, Pa.; Reverend Arthur E. Antal, Strongstown, Pa.; and James Vörösmarty, Palmerton, Pa. August J. Molnár

THE DAY OF OUR JUBILEE

— U.C.C. Bridgeport, Conn., November 25,1979 —

Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butoai, Pastor

The Anniversary started when Mr. Thomas Roche, Jr. started the Organ Prelude and almost 50 Sunday School children marched proudly wearing their new robes. About 200 worshippers sang joyfully: “God of years, Your love has led us...” Mrs. Monica Bauer, our minister-in-training from Yale Divinity School illustrated the highlights of the 75 years with children of the Sunday School who then sang the rendition of “The Lord Is My Shepherd” by L. H. Bristol, Jr. After the prayer of the Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy of Portland, Maine, the English sermon was preached by the Rev. Nicholas Novak, treasurer of The Calvin Synod, Pittsburgh, Pa., while the Rt Rev. Arpad George, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America preached in Hungarian. Their topics were “A Mighty Host” (Ez. 37:10) and “Be Faithful Unto Death” (Rev. 2:10) respectively. The Hungarian Prayer was offered by Bishop Desmond D. Parragh of Norridge, Illinois.

Following the service, wreath-laying ceremonies took place in Mountain Grove Cemetery. At the grave of the Rev. Ernest Komjáthy who organized the congregation on November 25, 1904, the Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy eulogized and prayed while Mr. Andrey Molnár and Mrs. Samuel Telep placed wreaths on the grave. At the grave side of the second pastor, the Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Böszörményi, his successor read Hebrews 11:1-3 and prayed in English and in Hungarian. Here the wreath was laid by Mr. Joseph Pontban, chief elder and Mrs. Julia Nagy.

The second anniversary service started at 4 P.M. with more than 200 persons present. The Rev. Anthony Szilagyi read the scripture lesson of Acts 2:10-17 which was the text of both preachers: the Rev. Nathaniel Guptill, moderator of the National United Church of Christ and the Rt. Rev. Desmond D. Parragh, Bishop of The Calvin Synod. The former spoke on “The People of the Dream,” and the latter selected “Vision and Dream” as his topic. Other participant clergy included the Rev. Zoltán Király, general secretary of The Calvin Synod, the Rev. Zoltán Szabó, dean of the Eastern Qassis, and the Rev. Nicholas Novak, treasurer of the Synod. The pastor again served as liturgical leader.

At 6 P.M. almost all the people were seated around the banquet tables in Bessemer Center with almost 400 present. After the welcome of Chief Elder Joseph Poruban, the audience sang the American and Hungarian national anthems, led by Mrs. Elmer Ondy. The Rev. Marcel Szabó of the Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church prayed. The dinner was still being served when the program was introduced by the Rev. Anthony Szilagyi, Jr., Master of Ceremonies. The message of the evening was delivered by three leaders of the local church: Mr. Bert Thomas, Mr. Joseph C. Poruban and Mr. Ermin Lilya. One of the moving moments of the evening was the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation