Magyar Egyház, 1973 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-10-01 / 10. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH This past year two of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious denominations, the Congregational and Presbyterian, merged to form the United Reformed Church. This is one of the most significant mergers in recent history, for it sets a pattern for future unions throughout the world. One of the most valuable by-products of this new union is the rediscovery of the word “Reformed.” Indeed, our denominational name was little known in the British Isles, where this original name had long been superseded by Presbyterian and Congregational. Both of the latter terms refer to particular views of church order, neither fully represented our faith as the Church “Reformed” according to the renewing gospel of Jesus Christ. Here in the United States only the historic Reformed Church in America, the Christian Reformed and our own Hungarian Reformed Church have retained our centuries old designation. The German Reformed Church after mergers with the Evangelical and Congregational denominations, lost its identity, and became a part of the United Church of Christ. Since our age is marked by a tremendous growth of interest in tradition, it is fortunate that our brethren in the British Isles recognize that our historic faith should once again bear its sixteenth century name. We who are of Reformed background are proud of our unique designation as the only church of the reformation that maintains this tie to the past. We are further encouraged by the equally important concern of so many in the study of our background and origins. Ours is a faith based on the New Testament concept of God’s sovereignty over all of life. The early Reformed Church in Hungary emphasized individual responsibility and obedience to the will of God as made known in the life and ministry of Christ. For Hungary the Reformation was a blessing, for wherever the Reformed Church was established entire communities were transformed. The publication of the Karoli Bible set the foundation for the modern Magyar language. The Church served to counterbalance the tremendous power of the Austrian tyranny and the established Roman Catholic communion. We therefore rejoice with our English friends in the faith who once again proclaim to one and all that their church is Reformed in name as well as in devotion to the cause of Christ. Charles A. Darocy-----o— The Church Universal One holy Church of God appears Through every age and race Unwasted by the lapse of years, Unchanged by changing place. From oldest time, on farthest shores, Beneath the pine or palm, One Unseen Presence she adores, With silence or with psalm. Her priests are all God’s faithful sons To serve the world raised up; The pure in heart her baptized ones; Love, her communion-cup. The truth is her prophetic gift, The soul her sacred page; And feet on mercy’s errands swift Do make her pilgrimage. O living Church! thine errand speed, Fulfill thy task sublime; With bread of life earth’s hunger feed, Redeem the evil time! —Samuel Longfellow
