Magyar Egyház, 1969 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-11-01 / 11. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 13 MAGYAR Bertram J. Sathmary: “Peace I leave with you . . John 14:27 What a legacy! And this is one the heirs cannot quarrel over. Money, property, jewels—the love of it is the root of evil and turns brothers and sisters into enemies against one another. But this bequest—peace —is beyond price and corrosion and theft and division. It is whole, and every possessor has all of it. “Prince of Peace” was one of Jesus’ titles and “Peace on earth” was sung at his birth. And, as he was about to leave his disciples, he said, “my peace I give unto 99you. Another time Jesus said, “I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34). He is also a warrior and the commander of an “army with banners”, and he told his disciples that a “man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Some times he was angry und he said and did things that made others angry. He was not at peace with evil deeds and false religion and hypocracy, and neither are his followers. Jesus came into a corrupt world that is at peace with Satan and at enmity with God. Jesus came to change that and thus his followers are now at peace with God but at war with Satan and all his evil works. Peace with God — that passes understanding. Peace is a term of relationship; it is a bond of harmony and safety and love. Peace is—Stephen, the first martyr, praying for his executioners. Peace is— Paul and Silas in a Phillipian prison singing songs in the night. Peace is—strength for living, assurance, for dying. No danger threatens where God protects. No past can hurt when God forgives. No future is dark when God is our guide. Storms have no fury when the heart is still. Bishop Dezső Abraham: 1924 - 1969 45th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA God’s special grace prepared the hearts of pastors, elders and church leaders who gathered together in Duquesne, Pa., on December 9th, 1924 with the CHURCH purpose to form the Free Magyar Reformed Church In America, to heal the existing wounds of separation among Hungarian Reformed Churches. From 1890 on there were two denominations, the (German) Reformed Church in the U.S.A. and the (Scottish) Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. supporting the work among our brethren. In 1904 the Reformed Church of Hungary wished to unite the two groups and form a United Hungarian Reformed Church in America. This attempt failed, and instead of uniting the various groups they ended up with three groups. After World War I, the question of uniting the Hungarian Reformed people in the U.S.A. came up with even greater urgency. There were some leaders who felt that the union among the various churches best could be achieved in a newly formed denomination which would be free from all other church influences, and self-supporting without the aid of other denomination. Only six (6) churches sent delegates to the first meeting 45 years ago where the Free Magyar Reformed Church In America was organized. (In 1958 Free Magyar was changed to Hungarian Reformed Church in America.) There were some who scoffed at the small handful of leaders and there were many more who were doubtful about the future of such a venture. Yet God Almighty has performed wonders. He blessed the humble beginning and preserved the Free Magyar Reformed Church and step by step advanced its cause. Today, only the Rt. Rev. George Kerekes Borshy, h. archdean and Mr. Stephen Bodnár, former chief-elder of the Perth Amboy, N. J. church and the first chief-lay-curator of the district, are still alive. Many of our prophetic leaders were called home. From among the first ministers to serve our new denomination, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Daróczy, former arch-dean, and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Béky, the church’s first bishop, are still with us. It is regrettable that the unity of Hungarian Reformed Christians living in the various denominational groups is still waiting for accomplishment. The Hungarian Reformed Church in America never ceases to pray and work for this unity. It was God’s blessing and care that the self-supporting, independent denomination was formed. This fact is not only acknowledged by our own people but also by the leaders of
