Budapest In Retrospect

Abstract

"This, the first European Baptist Congress to be held in Eastern Europe, opened in the evening with addresses of welcome from religious leaders of various denominations and also a speech of welcome by Matyas Szur6s, President of the Hungarian Parliament. During his address he spoke of two principles for which the Baptists stand which, he said, are working towards a united Europe: fellowship, and the conviction that it is the right and duty of everyone to share in Government. He spoke of the Baptist belief in the salvation of the total person, physically and spiritually. He then spoke of legislation being passed to permit greater religious liberty, the closure of the government office for regulating religious affairs - the activities of which have caused great resentment for a long time, the restoration of church property and the restoration to the churches of their former schools. Some of these schools had a high reputation and certain previous and present leaders of government received their liberal education at them. When the speech was over the Hungarians present (and they were naturally in the majority) gave the speaker a standing ovation"