Fraternity-Testvériség, 1960 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1960-06-01 / 6. szám

4

FRATERNITY

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

FOR THE YEARS 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959

"If God is with us, who is against us?"

(Romans 8:31)

With this biblical motto, we started our work in January, 1936. This

date meant a turning point in the life of our Federation. According to

the requirements of our charter, we moved to the capital at that time from the single meager office in Toledo, Ohio, where the late beloved István Molnár, then our only full time officer, had worked with his two clerks. By the far-sighted decrees of the 1935 convention, with the election of four full time officers (secretary, treasurer, auditor and field secretary), we really became an institution of national character. This was rather a bold venture. Our new country was hardly getting over

its convalescence from the economic crisis that had been felt by the whole world. Our Federation came out of the years of depression in rather tattered condition. Our actual membership, including even the children, was not over ten thousand. Although our assets were close to a million dollars on paper, in reality we had to count on at least two hundred thousand dollars in losses, which we had to deduct gradually from our list of assets. That was the situation on the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the Federation in 1896. Only our hope remained intact. And God, “Who has been our dwelling place from everlasting to everlasting”, did not abash our hope. After the new planting and watering, He gave us the joy of growth.

After the first four years of reorganization, we were able to report considerable results at the 1939 convention in Washington, which gave final sanction to the new regime. Even the years of the ensuing Second World War, which were burdened with restrictions, could not influence our progress unfavorably. To replace our secretary, who retired in the meantime, the 1944 convention in Ligonier, Pa., elected me, combining the administrative and field organizing duties. At the same time it established the full time presidency and to fill that position elected the, up to that time, part time serving Dr. Ferenc Újlaki, minister from Toledo, Ohio.

The next twelve years of harmonious cooperation brought further substantial results. The 1956 convention saw improved economic conditions and results of the diligent work of our increased number of officers and field organizers, an increase which had been necessitated by the constant growth of our membership. This convention effected considerable changes in the composition of our staff of officers as well as the Supreme Council. The convention honored and put its trust in me by election to the presidential post, after my twenty years of service as secretary. To my vacated secretarial position, the Reverend József Kecskemethy was elected; he had served previously as superintendent of the Bethlen Home for twelve years which were rich in results. The position of auditor was filled with László Eszenyi because of his quali