# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_October 1858_S316
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

316

Hungary.

In Hungary and Transylvania, what is now called "Lutheran" here is understood under the name "evangelical." Hungary's Protestants are accustomed to reject names taken from men as an insult. This goes so far that it is forbidden by law to designate Evangelicals and Reformed as Lutherans and Calvinists. — In the time of total indifferentism, an attempt was made at a union. Through the cautious energy of a man who exerted a deep influence at the time, the matter was thwarted, without disturbing the friendly coexistence and cooperation of the Augsburg and Helvetic Confessions. The same man also succeeded, despite the unanimous opposition of the entire clergy, in preventing, in the year 1848, the conversion of church servants into servants of the state — which would have been the necessary consequence of the state's then-projected assumption of their salaries.

The salaries and support of all church personnel and institutions still lie in the hands of those who stand in need of the Gospel. One may say that each individual provides entirely on his own account for his spiritual needs, just as for his bodily ones.

It cannot be denied that the evangelical church of Hungary has taken a heavy fall on the rock of rationalism, and indeed such a fall that scarcely a limb escapes it without a bruise, a wound, or a contusion. However much a natural shame may wish to hide this, it is of no use! Indeed, the head struck so hard that it came near to unconsciousness! —

It is gratifying, however, to be able to say that since about 1838 refreshment and reviving have been brought. Brotherly love hastened to help, especially from Germany, and even though its rebukes and admonitions have often seemed unpleasant and offensive, praise and thanks be to God, it is working! Here and there the seed sown in stillness is sprouting. Youthful men, imbued with the evangelical spirit, are coming forward, and little by little life will come into the deadened limbs. The blow of 1848 and 1849 was a very forceful, painful one. But it turned to the salvation of the Evangelical Church of Hungary; it draws her upward!

Fortunately, fear of the congregations has set limits to rationalism and its tearing effects. Under its Samiel-breath the leaves have indeed withered, but the vital force of the trunk and of the little branches has remained, to put forth new ones.

The treasure of ecclesiastical institutions is still unimpaired. The bells sound morning, noon, and evening, to draw hearts upward. Thousands pause at the plow and send up a sigh to him who governs the times. One sees people pause in the middle of a sentence at the first stroke of the bell, take off their hats, and so forth.

On Sunday mornings the same bells call three times to church, and no grass grows on the church path. In the afternoon at 2 o'clock one finds the