Hungarian Church Press, 1949 (1. évfolyam, 4-13. szám)

1949-08-26 / 10. szám

"THE HUNGARIAN PHURCH IN A STATE OP 'REVIVAL APJKRŰXIMAT IE & - XON JERDPQRTLQNS

says Rev. H. B. Csntz > American Re főimet minister».

As guest of the Hungarian Reformed Church Rev. H.E. Gentz,.American reformed minister spent about ten days in Hungary. He already visited Rungai’y the other year and now he had been' deeply impressed by the revival of Hungarian protestantism®. Of his first impressions he said the following:- On returning to Hungary for my second visit since the summer of 1948, I see progress and new life on every hand. Hew buildings and restored bridges are inescapable evidences of reconstruction, but the people also seem to be imbued with new hope and go about their occupation with a purpose. I am particularly happy to find the Church in a state of revival approximating Reformation proportions. These is the »acceptable time of the Lord” and I am proud that my brethren and fellow ministers in Hungary are rising up to face the challenge of the hour in the spirit of our Master, of Whom it is written that He went about doing good and healing a'll who were oppressed.

Ho 10* . ~7*' .

DR. IV An REÖK, INSPECTOR GENERAL OR-THE HUNGARIAN LUTHERAN' CHURCH OH THE HEW HUNGARIAN CONSTITUTION

It was with a special care and a great sense of responsibility that I studied the bill of Constitution of the Hungarian People's Republic.

As a- believing profe*ssing Christian the first quest ion I put to myself was, whether I can agree with it. It all depends whether the new constitution contains an obstacle, barrier, or prohibition, preventing man to fulfil the two greatest coramandements of the Gospel, to love God and love his fellowmen. As there is nothing to forbid it, I can agree not merely as a..Christian, but also as the inspector general of the Lutheran Church.

The mere fact, that a Christian does not withdraw but agrees is itself but a passive attitűdé. The second and even more vital question is, that a Christian, true to his faith and conviction may have a share with his own constructive work in the upbuilding of the People'3 Republic within the frame drawn by the Constitution.

The question is decided by paragraph 54. As one of the presidents of the Hungarian Ecumenical Committee, symbolising the unity of Protestantism, I can reply in the none of the whole Hungarian Protestantism, that liberty of conscience and religious liberty are our ideals since many centuries, ideals, our ancestors shed blood, and died for, and for which we wish to live and work.

The guiding principle of the new Constitution is the honour :md appreciation of Man/