Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 2, 1908

Progress in Russia

It is encouraging to note any changes for the better in a country which has suffered so much and paid such a price for freedom as Russia. Only a short time ago all public religious services except those of the state church were rigidly proscribed, but now freedom is granted to all denominations to prosecute the work of teaching the gospel. An article in one of the current magazines dealing with this question, states the case thus:—

Religious liberty in the Russian empire has dawned, even though the manifesto of the emperor has not been formulated into law and local officials are still in doubt as to the extent of freedom. . . . Opportunities are multiplying for bringing to the attention of the subjects of Russia the truths of evangelical Christianity. . . . The evangelical Christians in Russia, of all denominations and of no denomination, are attempting to organize for more united and aggressive work. . . . The Russian Evangelical Alliance, with a charter for carrying on every form of evangelistic, charitable, publication, and educational work, was recently reorganized at St. Petersburg, with provisions for opening branches in other parts of the empire.

This is one more indication that the time has fully come for the proclamation of “the everlasting gospel,” the final message of warning, in all the earth. This message has already gained standing ground in Russia, with twenty-five hundred converts. The blessing of God upon this number of living witnesses filled with zeal for the spread of the truth, and having now the privilege of working unhindered, may accomplish marvelous things in a short time.