Fraternity-Testvériség, 1981 (59. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1981-04-01 / 2-3. szám
the Old People’s Home) they became local, non-tuition paying students. Those students who graduated from Ligonier High School and had the ability (and desire), to further their education, were provided with scholarships to institutions of higher learning. This was done on a residence basis, with their scholarships including transportation back to Ligonier over the week-ends and vacations. Many of these students later became prominent and useful members of society in their chosen fields. Every Saturday afternoon, for entertainment, those children who so desired, walked down from Mount Moriah to the town where they became the guests of the Management of the only movie house in town. In addition to their admissision to the theater, they were also treated to popcorn', candy and often a small gift. Most of the children looked forward eagerly to these excursions, where they behaved like perfect little ladies and gentlemen. The early history of the Federation was full of trials and tribulations, but the faith of the founding members and their successors overcame all difficulties, and in 1936, when the central offices combined in one location, Washington, D.C., it was a growing, viable, actuarily sound institution, made so through the faith, work and trust of those men and women who “dreamed dreams” and worked unceasingly for the betterment of their fellow-men — carrying out the highest ideals and traditions left them by their Lord and Master. But there were beautiful events in the lives of the members, too. On every Fourth of July, on' the anniversary of the founding of the Federation, there was a big celebration held at the “Mecca” of the Magyar people, at Ligonier, Pa. The occasion was celebrated for years with worship services, followed by a gala dinner, a picnic and fireworks. Alexander Kover, a long-time president of the Federation, a municipal judge of Johnstown, Pa., was instigator of the fireworks (furnished at his own expense) as a patriotic gesture, and for the recreation and edification of the children for whom he had great empathy. The Fourth of July celebrations were the forerunners of the Christian Endeavor movement in the Magyar churches. The leader of the movement was the Rev. Louis Bogár of Toledo, Ohio. Our older brother, Paul L. Molnár, (the first member of the Children’s Class of the Federation — I was the second), was the first president of the National Chris, tian Endeavor movement. The first National convention of the organization, supported by the Federation was held at Toledo, Ohio in 1929. The first group had as one of its most active members, Miss Elizabeth Korocz, who later became Mrs. Joseph Kecskemethy, whose husband became Superintendent of the Children’s Home of the Bethlen Home at Ligonier. Prior to 1936, when the convention decided to consolidate all of the offices at a central location, Washington, D.C., and make the officers full-time members of the staff, they had been scattered all over the north-eastern and central United States, in whichever city the various officers happened to be living. Since the elected officers, whether ministers or laymen, had their private livelihoods, while the Federation positions, which with the exception of the secretary’s, were all part-time jobs, the set-up can be readily understood. The main office, the nerve-center of the Federation, the secretary’s location was in Toledo, Ohio and was for a long time, a part-time position — (if the average work day of at least eight to ten hours daily could be so called. ) It was located in Toledo in 1908 when Mr. Molnár was first elected to the position which he filled without a break until his retirement in 1943. It, the office, which was at first a room in his home, was located at various times on Whitmore Board of Directors of the Federation and the Bethlen Home, 1928. Rev. Alexander Kalassay First Superintendent of Bethlen Home 13
