Fraternity-Testvériség, 1960 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1960-03-01 / 3. szám
10 FRATERNITY students pursued their studies, and learned a warm evangelical faith that was in sharp contrast with the hard dogmatic expression of the Reformed faith that was then its accepted form. They learned, moreover, to be pastors to their flock, to pray with the sick and to bring individuals into a personal relationship with God. We find the Puritans also objecting to drunkenness, dancing, non-church going, Sunday work, blasphemy, bright clothing, ministerial quarrels, and to ministers taking part in the hunt and “such like useless pleasures”. But it was dancing that chiefly came under their ban. Under their influence incorrigible sinners were preached at from the pulpit and then excommunicated from the congregation, though there were canon laws in accordance with which they could be readmitted to the Church. So we read that in 1630 ministers had to undergo an examination of their morals; beginning first with the bishop, the moderator was next examined, then the deputy moderator, and then all the ministers of the Synod, and finally the teachers. When the moderator visited a pai'ish, the minister called his people one by one before the visitor, and they had to answer for their behaviour in his presence; but then the minister in turn had to answer for his before the face of the congregation! But no complaint against him could be listened to unless substantiated by two or three witnesses. On the other hand, if it was found that the congregation had not been paying the minister’s salary— the congregation had to do without a minister altogether for a period of time! (To be continued)
