Magyar Egyház, 1964 (43. évfolyam, 3-9. szám)
1964-05-01 / 5. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7 MAGYAR CHURCH Dr. Zoltán Béky: GREETINGS TO THE CONVENTION In the name of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America we greet the Convention of the Reformed Federation and its delegates with the deepest affection and the best wishes. We await every convention with tense anticipation and the forthcoming one is no exception. The air is filled with excitement and restlessness. We hear about new plans, goals, and constructive programs being under preparation. They are the projection and dreams of a better future. All these plans are acceptable so long as they are meant to work toward the growth, best interest and better future of the Federation. It would be a sin, however, if the Convention were guided by personal ambitions or church politics. The Federation is too important and means too much for us to allow that. The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America is the fruit of the faithfulness of our Hungarian Reformed people in this country and also the proof of its vitality. What unfortunately could not be realized in the domain of church life, namely unity, has become reality in the Federation. Here we have one fraternal institution where American Hungarian Reformed people of several generations are living in brotherly union. This we must protect and preserve. On the basis of its truly American and humanitarian principals we, as Reformed Hungarians are one in the fraternity of this Federation. Neither personal ambition, nor ecclesiastical strife must destroy this unity. We believe with the deepest conviction that our Federation has a future. Even if there is at present some relapse in its membership or there seems to be certain stagnation, this doesn’t mean at all that the future of the Federation is not secure. The field is tremendous and we have a lot to do. Among the many branches of Reformed people in America we Hungarians alone have a Federation. It would be a sin to leave this great opportunity unused. New vision is needed, indeed, to work out a new program, set up new territories as well as give the existing ones a better, more competent and more dynamic organization. In the next four years we have to work with an unprecedented vigor and enthusiasm. We must employ contemporary new techniques. We must strive to live with the local churches in a most harmonious atmosphere. At places where this atmosphere has become cold or tense in the past years, we must take every initiative to restore the right relationship. It is, of course, of primary importance that the workers, agents and branch-managers and all who constitute the Federation’s working force should receive a more commensurate remuneration. This cannot be postponed any longer. The branch-managers deserve more pay and more appreciation than heretofore. Another problem is that of “dividends.” State laws require the payment of dividends. A new conception must prevail along this line, too. The slogans “it cannot be done,” “we never had it before” won’t make our Federation fit for competition. There is a future for us! There are chances for a grat step forward! We have a God-given field of operation: our Hungarian Reformed people. What we need is the right spirit, will and cooperation. We need every minister, elder, layman, first-, second-, third-generation Hungarian! This is our precious heritage. Let me also say this: everybody must have time. If I with my work-load was able to write $95,000 worth of insurance last year (not for the commission which was in most cases left to others, but for the love of the Federation) then others too must find time to work for the future of our Federation. There is a future if there is the right spirit, co-operation and vision. In the hope that this Convention will lay the foundation of such a great future for the Federation, we greet the Convention, its delegates and wish God’s rich blessing upon its deliberations.--------------o-------------Dr. Aladár Komjáthy: JOHN CALVIN AND HUNGARY — Calvin died on May 27, 1564 — Calvin’s influence is undeniably present in the modern history of the West. The late Reverend John Harvard (after whom Harvard University was named) in colonial Massachusetts and John Whiterspoon a Scottish first generation immigrant and Presbyterian minister (one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence) proudly called themselves Calvinists in the New World. In Harvard’s lifetime Gabor Bethlen, prince of Transsylvania (the name which we associate with our charitable institution in Ligonier) and many other great Hungarians described themselves as Calvinists. In a small northern village in Holland, I once met a group of elders who were unshakably convinced that John Calvin had been a Dutchman. How could it have been otherwise? Was not the glory of Holland’s history
