Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1956-04-01 / 4-5. szám

FRATERNITY

31

FROM MY VANTAGE POINT

By Rev. Francis Nagy

Here are some of the answers I’ve come up with after I have put the searching question to myself: What’s RIGHT with the Hungarian Reformed Federation — my Federation? At the moment it is the “right” or credit side of the ledger that I am interested in. Surely, there must be a great deal that is right with this fraternal society that has served my people for sixty years. But before I enumerate any of these assets or values, I think I’d better tell you who I am and what my connection with the Fedration really is, lest some of you get lost in a labyrinth of inferences.

I understand a few of you have been, perhaps inadvertently, confusing me with my illustrious namesake, the Honorable Ferenc Nagy, ex-Prime Minister of Hungary. The most conspicuous thing we happen to have in common is only our name, and whatever renown is attached thereunto is definitely of his doing and not mine. You may have heard that he’s a gentleman farmer, now living in the great state of Virginia. Here, even the last vestiges of resemblance abruptly cease. I clearly know that I am not a farmer, though some of my observant friends would swear that on occasion I do act like one! And as to being a gentleman — well, there again arises a grave and thwarting question mark. If you wan to know the real low-down about the lesser Ferenc Nagy, you’ll have to do some digging on your own . . .

My only connection with the Federation — so help me! — is that I am a members of it, like the rest of you. I have belonged to it in my youth, but because of hard times my father was unable to continue the payment of our membership dues and was forced to cancel the policies of us boys. Somewhat later, in early adulthood, I rejoined the Federation and have been in it continuously ever since. In my former pastorate, at Farrell, Pa., I was the Branch Secretary and handled all the local business for the Main Office. At present, however, since we have a very efficient Branch Manager in Canton, I just sit on the sidelines — an extra ballplayer in the dugout, as it were. From the foregoing I hope you have gathered that I am neither an official nor an employe of the Federation. You might call me, if you wish, a disinterested layman. You can readily see that I am not influenced by selfish motives, for I have none. What really influences me, if you must have an explanation, is an innate sense of fair play, the inalienable American right to speak my mind whenever the opportunity presents itself, whenever I have something to say.

In the middle twenties I had the rare and unforgettable privilege of meeting the late General Secretary, Mr. Stephen Molnár. He came to Bloomfield and urged us students to enter a contest (unfortunately I have completely forgotten its exact nature) sponsored by the Federation. Mr. Molnár was a unique individual, a man of the sturdy old school,