Református ujság - Fraternity-Testvériség, 1940 (18. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1940-05-01 / 5. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 13 OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE FEDERATION Our greatest worry in our church and social life is how we can keep our sons and daughters for ourselves and our institutions. Ultimately this problem has only one solution : to prove to the second generation and even to the third generation that whatever we have is an asset. In the first place our Magyars are an asset, even though they came to America with empty pockets, they brought great wealth in their hearts and souls with which they regularly contribute to this country’s greatness and glory. The Church of which we are members is a permanent asset. And this asset manifests itself not only in our own spiritual tranquility, but at the same time it is a letter of recommendation in our daily life. In Christian thinking America, either in industrial or professional fields, it means much if we can refer to our Church membership. Our institutions are an asset and of these The Hungarian Reformed Federation is in first place. It is one of the most wonderful creations, of in- stimable value, of the American Hungarian Pro- testns. The Hungarian Reformed Federation is a precious asset to us primarily because of the work we are accomplishing through it: the aid of our brethren, the care of our orphans and aged, the moral and financial support of our young people, assistance to our churches, etc. Some of our young people perhaps may say that relief for the needy, care of orphans and the aged, aid to ambitious young people can also be obtained from hundreds of other institutions in America. That is true. But it is true also that the tears WE DRY; the orphans and aged whom WE CARE FOR and the young people whom WE ASSIST do not have to be cared for or assisted by other American institutions. And, if we assume this liability we have contributed our share to America’s great social work and have made it richer. And, furthermore, we have also proved that we are not here for the sole purpose of earning dollars and cents, but give of our own goods to America’s spiritual treasury. We have added to it the assets of our race and indicated that we wish not only to enjoy the benefits of America, but add our own, too, to make it greater and more perfect. The greatness of America was brought about through the immigration of different nationalities, each of them contributed something to it according to their talents. Should we, among all these competing nationalities, be the only ones who didn’t create anything? Should we be the only ones who are satisfied to enjoy only what others have created? If there is a particle of racial consciousness in us and in our young people, — if there is a spark of the American spirit, which made this country truly great, then we and our progeny will stand by our institutions with all our might. We will do this not only because it is to our advantage, but because through our institutions we can gain respect and appreciation for ourselves in America. He who does not strive to GIVE SOMETHING to America’s public wealth cannot call himself a good American. In giving The Hungarian Reformed Federation, we gave an institution which is a real asset even from the American point of view. To make us worthy of America we must perfect our asset in every way. The Reformed Federation was created by immigrant parents. They began the work with empty hands, but with implicit faith and with their whole soul. And their faith and determination worked wonders: today The Reformed Federation stands before us as one of America’s most prominent social institutions. It is said that getting together the first million dollars is the most difficult, the rest follows automatically. Well, the first million is here. It is before you, the second generation, you have only to take it into your hands and continue the work that your fathers before you have done so well and accomplished such wonderful results. They created much from nothing: what wonderfully great results can YOU accomplish, who do not have to continue with empty hands?... Take it into your hands, therefore, and you will do really worthwhile work which will be to your own advantage, the honor of your race, a testimonial of your faith and above all for the greater glory of America. In this way,
