Zion’s Harp Melody Bridges Language Gap
The Nazarene Church spread from Hungary and Romania to Bukovina (now Ukraine) after World War I, and a remnant kept the faith through the hardships and trials of World War II.
In the 1960's, a Ukrainian brother with the surname of Veresuv set out for Hungary in search of the Nazarene brethren there. The old brother who had originally brought the faith to Ukraine had given Brother Veresuv the address of the Nazarene Church in Budapest, Hungary. Travel was hard in those days and required much walking and presumably riding trains for segments of the trip. To cross the border into another country was not always easily accomplished. In spite of the difficulties, GOD saw to it that Brother Veresuv finally arrived in Budapest.
In the huge foreign city, he began searching for the Nazarene Church. His uncertain directions led him to a house where he knocked at the door. A Nazarene believer by the name of Karl Nagy lived next to the church at the time. He cautiously opened the small window in the door and asked who was there.
Brother Veresuv began to explain that he was looking for the Nazarene brethren. Karl shook his head, not understanding the man's Ukrainian language. Brother Veresuv tried to speak again, this time in the Romanian language. Karl just stared at the worn out, unkempt figure before him as he wondered who this man really was and what he was trying to say.
Brother Veresuv became anxious, and the harder he tried to communicate, the more uneasy Karl felt. After some uncomfortable moments, Karl began to shut the window. Distraught, Brother Veresuv thought of a last resort- he began to sing No. 74 in the Zion's Harp (GOD’s Divine Compassion).
I reverence Love’s great power unending
Which in Christ Jesus is revealed;
To Grace, itself so freely spending
To love a worm like me, I yield
I’ll sink all thought of self, effacing
Into love’s ocean, all embracing.
Immediately Karl's eyes lit up as he recognized the man to be a dear brother in faith. The melody of the beautiful hymn had bridged the gap that different languages could not cross.
Welcoming Brother Veresuv into his home, Karl gladly ministered to his needs and provided accommodations until he accomplished his mission.
Hungarian brethren related this account in Ersekcsanad, Hungary, on August 28, 2006.
Stories of Faith and Courage Volume 3, page 133.
The Nazarene Church spread from Hungary and Romania to Bukovina (now Ukraine) after World War I, and a remnant kept the faith through the hardships and trials of World War II.
In the 1960's, a Ukrainian brother with the surname of Veresuv set out for Hungary in search of the Nazarene brethren there. The old brother who had originally brought the faith to Ukraine had given Brother Veresuv the address of the Nazarene Church in Budapest, Hungary. Travel was hard in those days and required much walking and presumably riding trains for segments of the trip. To cross the border into another country was not always easily accomplished. In spite of the difficulties, GOD saw to it that Brother Veresuv finally arrived in Budapest.
In the huge foreign city, he began searching for the Nazarene Church. His uncertain directions led him to a house where he knocked at the door. A Nazarene believer by the name of Karl Nagy lived next to the church at the time. He cautiously opened the small window in the door and asked who was there.
Brother Veresuv began to explain that he was looking for the Nazarene brethren. Karl shook his head, not understanding the man's Ukrainian language. Brother Veresuv tried to speak again, this time in the Romanian language. Karl just stared at the worn out, unkempt figure before him as he wondered who this man really was and what he was trying to say.
Brother Veresuv became anxious, and the harder he tried to communicate, the more uneasy Karl felt. After some uncomfortable moments, Karl began to shut the window. Distraught, Brother Veresuv thought of a last resort- he began to sing No. 74 in the Zion's Harp (GOD’s Divine Compassion).
I reverence Love’s great power unending
Which in Christ Jesus is revealed;
To Grace, itself so freely spending
To love a worm like me, I yield
I’ll sink all thought of self, effacing
Into love’s ocean, all embracing.
Immediately Karl's eyes lit up as he recognized the man to be a dear brother in faith. The melody of the beautiful hymn had bridged the gap that different languages could not cross.
Welcoming Brother Veresuv into his home, Karl gladly ministered to his needs and provided accommodations until he accomplished his mission.
Hungarian brethren related this account in Ersekcsanad, Hungary, on August 28, 2006.
Stories of Faith and Courage Volume 3, page 133.