Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1909

Note and Comment

By Editor

The Truth About Russia

A FEW weeks ago there appeared in these columns a quotation from another publication which gave the impression that religious liberty had been granted in Russia, and that all denominations were permitted to carry on their work without interference. It appears, however, that while many statements in the article were correct, yet it did not convey the right meaning as a whole. We have recently received from one of our ministers in Russia, Elder J. T. Boettcher, a letter upon this subject, from which we take this extract:—

There is no liberty whatever to do missionary work as we are doing it elsewhere. I mean by this, that we are not allowed to go into a city where we do not have fifty Sabbath-keepers and open a place of worship, much less rent a hall, advertise and conduct a series of meetings. For instance, one of our ministers has been in Odessa ever since last October. Although he has rented a hall and is paying for it, yet he is not allowed to hold meetings; therefore he is obliged to work in secret until he gets the required number necessary to petition the governor. The above-mentioned brother has even telegraphed to the prime minister, but without avail. This is the difficulty with which we are confronted everywhere. It is true that where we already have an organized company at our own place of worship, we can hold as many meetings for our own people as we wish, and as many strangers may come as wish to, provided they come of their own accord; but as to real evangelical work, it is not allowed.

While a larger degree of freedom is granted than formerly, yet it will be clear from this quotation from Brother Boettcher's letter that genuine religious liberty is not yet enjoyed in Russia. We hope that the steps already taken in the right direction will soon be followed with the grant of perfect freedom.