Magyar Egyház, 1971 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-04-01 / 4. szám
16 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ COMMUNISM KEEPS GOSPEL FROM 800 MILLION IN ASIA It is difficult for those in the free countries of Western Europe and America to understand the situation in a land like Red China where Communists, still following the brutal Stalin line, rule with an iron fist. In Red China Christians are — or were — a very small minority, four million in a population of 750 million, with no social or political influence. The Red Chinese rulers do not want any religion in their nation, and would like even to destroy the strongest Chinese patrimony: Confucianism and the moral way of life of the old Chinese. In North Korea and the other satellite countries of Red China, virtually nothing is known about the fate of the Christians. In North Vietnam, which still has some 800,000 Christians living in a very difficult situation, it is realized that more active persecution would alienate world opinion, and be a preview of what would happen to the two million Christians of South Vietnam should they fall into the hands of the Hanoi Reds. The Asian Christians are threatened by a military and militant Speaking in Des Moines, Iowa in January, Joel Fort, a medical doctor and founder of San Francisco’s Center for Solving Social and Health Problems, called present drug abuse laws and their enforcement “hypocritical and inhumane.” The first priority drug problem Communism bent on the total destruction of the Christian Church in Asia. They are living martyrs in North Vietnam, North Korea, and Mainland China, as in all countries dominated by Communism. One single way of communication is still available for these heroes of Christianity, and that is radio. Radio Veritas in the Philippines and other radio stations should broadcast around the clock to Christians behind the Bamboo Curtain, giving instruction and hope to Christians there. They must know that their brother Christians have not deserted them or forgotten them. Two-thirds of the population of the world lives in Asia. One quarter of the human race cannot receive the Gospel of the Lord because they are under the rule of Communism. Yet Asia is basically religious and is thirsting for spiritual truth. Church leaders know that they must work quickly to bring the Gospel to the Free Chinese, Free Koreans, and Free Vietnamese, who some day may be the apostles to bring the Gospel to the countries now under Communism, especially the key country of continental China. is tobacco, he said. “God did not give us chimneys in our heads,” he said, “and 400,000 Americans a year die of tobacco smoking. The second priority problem is alcohol, he said. People are taught that alcohol is a beverage, not a drug, and up to 70 per cent of the 55,000 annual highway deaths are caused by drunken driving. NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS AKRON, OHIO We had a very wonderful Easter celebration in our church on Easter Sunday. 265 person was present in our church and 231 participated in the Holy Communion service. Our choir was singing the beautiful Christian hymn “How great Thou art.” We were spiritually inspired by the message of the Resurrection. On April 18th during our church dinner the presidents of our Ladies Clubs made the presentation of the new robe to our minister. The Rt. Rev. Louis Nagy former bishop, the director of our Bethlen Home was present and made a very interesting speech about the past 5 years of our church. Baptism: On Palm Sunday during the English worship service we baptized Kathleen, Michelle Kulchar, the newly born daughter of William and Elaine Kulchar. Godparents are Nick and Jean Keller. Kathleen Michelle Kulchar is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tibor Kulchar, our faithful church members. May God bless richly the newly baptized, the parents, godparents and grandparents! CARTERET, N. J. A pastoral letter sent to all congregational members and friends contains the order of Holy Week and Easter worship services which will follow the traditional observances of Hungarian Reformed congregations including communion and Easter Monday services. We should mention here, however, the communion service scheduled for Holy Thursday which will be bilingual. Words of the liturgy will be printed in parallel columns in the bulletin in English and in Hungarian and the pastor will say them alternately in the two languages. Funerals: Paul Erdély, 82, on March 20; Károly Kajati, 93, on March 29. DUQUESNE, PA. Our new organ arrived and it is displayed in our narthex. Its installation is planned for the after Easter season. The Organ Committee and the Church Council have made temporary plans for TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL—PRIORITY DRUG PROBLEMSj
