#125 A letter to Joseph Kovacs from Louis Hencsey

A letter to Joseph Kovacs from Louis Hencsey, written shortly before Louis left Hungary to travel to Switzerland to meet Samuel Froehlich and the brethren. In the late 1830’s two Hungarian locksmiths, John Denkel and John Kropacsek, went to Switzerland to further their trade. While in Switzerland they came under the preaching of Samuel Froehlich, were converted, and Denkel was given authority to baptize in Hungary. These two men returned to Hungary and settled down in a shop in Pest. By the guidance of God, Louis Hencsey came to this shop. Under the influence of Denkel, Hencsey became converted and was then made the leader of the group. Hencsey labored much in Hungary and was eventually even given the opportunity to travel to Switzerland to meet Froehlich.

Dear Brother, I want to inform you that my desire is being fulfilled which makes me feel grateful to God. I was very sorry that I was not able to visit you, but you surely know that I love you all dearly. You must not feel disappointed. You should rather give thanks to God.

Please rejoice that a way has opened for me—a way that leads me to visit the brethren living abroad. I pray to God every day for all of you. You should also pray that God will bless me on my way. I would like to visit you on my return if it is God’s will and my journey ends well. I believe that it will cause you great joy through Jesus Christ.

I admonish you to take care of yourself and persist in your faith, which was aroused in your heart by God. Do not desist from the gospel or from the Lord if you encounter misery or suffering. This faith should be your banner to the last hour of your life—a banner that will lead you to enter into the kingdom of God.

As I told you, do not neglect your little children. Teach them diligently so they will not be brought up in ignorance, but in the fear of God, which is the source of wisdom. Now I remain yours in the Lord.