Magyar Egyház, 1955 (34. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)

1955-01-01 / 1. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

9

Address given at the dedication of the tombstone of the Rev. Dr. Charles Vincze, late Archdean of the Free Magyar Reformed Church in America, on Sunday, December 5, 1954, in the Calvary Cemetery of the Magyar Reformed Church of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, by the Rev. Charles W. Krahe, minister of the Reformed Church, pastor of St. Paul’s Evangelical Church of Perth Amboy, N. J.

Beloved in the Lord,

The erection of memorial stones is severel times referred to in the Holy Scriptures.

In the First Book of Moses, we read that Jacob, while fleeing from his brother Esau, whose birth-right he had stolen, found rest one night on hard, stony ground. In his guilt and exile, he felt far from his God, until in his dreams God showed him that He was still with him, no matter how far he would wander. We read that “Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar” (Genesis 28:18). It was a memorial stone of REMEMBRANCE to him, that God was gracious.

In the Book of Joshua, we find that God’s people entered the Promised Land at last by a repetition of the miracle that had occured when they ecaped from Egypt. This time, it was the River Jordan that opened before them to allow them to pass through dry-shod to the other side. Joshua, their commander, ordered them to take twelve stones from the bed of the river, and to set them up on the shore, “that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, “What mean ye by these stone?’ Then ye shall answer them, ‘That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.’” (Joshua 4:6-7). It was a memorial stone of INSTRUCTION, that other generations might know that the Lord was gracious.

Again, in the First Book of Samuel, we read that, under the leadership of Samuel, the Israelites were finally able to free themselves from the domination of the Philistines in a battle at Mizpeh, and when the battle was over, and the victory theirs, “Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.’” (I Samuel 7:12). It was a memorial stone of THANKSGIVING, because God had been gracious, and had given His people the victory.

I ask you, therefore, who have come here this afternoon, to look upon this memorial stone, the tombstone of the Rev. Dr. Charles Vincze, a stone of REMEMBRANCE, of INSTRUCTION, and of THANKSGIVING.

I. Let it be a stone of remembrance for the Church, for Dr. Vincze was a great servant of the Church of Jesus Christ. Especially did he love the cause of Calvin - istic Reformed Christendom in our land, and his voice was often heard in its councils. The Free Magyar Reformed Church in America also should remember one who played a leading part in its formation and history.

Let it be a stone of remembrance for the congregation in Perth Amboy. To this congregation, Dr. Vincze gave a quarter of a century of faithful service. He was truly a father in God to many of its members.

Let it be a stone of remembrance for his family. Let them look back with love upon a kind and faithful husband, an affectionate father, a relative to be proud of, who has gone from their midst.

For the greater church, for the local congregation, and for the family, the remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Charles Vincze will always be fruitful.

II. But let this tombstone also be a stone of instruction. This and future generations need to be instructed in the ways of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the remembrance of Dr. Vincze may serve them well. He stood for the pure heart, the single eye, the undiveded loyalty of which the Gospels speak.

He loved to see the faith kept pure and true. In an age when false prophets have arisen everywhere, he sounded with clarity the call to the solid, Scriptural faith of our fathers.

He stood for purity of life: fine principles of integrity and honor among men. Long may they stand.

Those whose minds are turned to such high principles, when they see this memorial stone, will not be mislead.

III. Finally, let this tombstone be a stone of thanksgiving. Here every one will have to look within his heart, and remember the personal blessings he has received from being touched by the life of the Rev. Dr. Charles Vincze.

I, and many of his fellow ministers, have to be thankful for him as a living example that one can be true to the high calling of the Master, even Jesus Christ, and serve Him on earth with faithfulness.

Many of you will have some other treasured lesson to remember.

May the sight of this tombstone ever cause you to rejoice because of the blessings you have received through him, the last resting place of those mortal remains it marks.

Thus, as the assaults of the weather soften the now sharp lines of this tombstone, until it, too, sinks into the dust, or until Christ comes again to take His people to glory, may it be to us all such a memorial stone of REMEMBRANCE, INSTRUCTION, AND THANKSGIVING.

And, holding Dr. Vincze in remembrance, receiving instruction from what he stood for, and being thankful for his influence upon our lives, may we all embrace and ever follow the Master he served, even Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, until we shall all stand together in the nearer Presence, the General Assembly and the Church of the First Born on high! Amen.