Another Foreign Field at Home by B. E. Fullmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 1, 1908

Another Foreign Field at Home

By B. E. Fullmer

B. E. FULLMER

THE city of Los Angeles, Cal., has among the other nations represented, a colony of about two thousand Russians. In the last few weeks a deep interest to know about the third angel’s message has developed among them; and in response to their call, some of the local church workers are distributing literature and holding meetings with them.

The history of these exiles at our doors is one of devotion, even to death, to what light they have received, there being of their early leaders not one who escaped a violent death at the hands of either the Greek Church or the Russian mob. Among these were M. S. Uklay and S. M. Dalmatoff, who were sawn asunder.

About one hundred years ago these men began a protest against certain customs of the Greek Church, especially the use of images and ikons. They also adopted Moses’ directions as to meats, and refused swine’s flesh. For the latter they were nicknamed Molokon, meaning literally ‘milk-eaters;’ but they themselves take the name of Spiritual Christians, from their belief in the perpetuity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which is one of the cardinal points of their faith. They also refused to bear arms, thus affronting the government as well as the church. These things brought upon them a bitter persecution, and all worship was conducted secretly and at night, as all who were detected were sent away in chains.

At the first about two thousand were sent away, the place of exile selected being south of the Caucasian Mountains, between the Black and Caspian Seas, in the country called Transcaucasia. This was intended to be death, as it was supposed that the Mongol and Tartar inhabitants would make a speedy end of the exiles. Many, however, survived, and their children, with the others banished during the century, now number about one hundred thousand. They are a pastoral people, living largely in the country. Nearly all can read, and they have some books on their faith, but the government does not allow them the privilege of printing any paper.

The only favor shown them by the government was a fifty-years’ exemption from war duty. This time is now expired, and present efforts to force them to arms has driven these people to our doors. No honors or offices are allowed them, and the priests of the state church at times display the ikons, and all who refuse to recognize them are sent to jail. Points of interest in their faith, showing how God has led them toward full present truth are:—

Belief in the soon coming of Christ.

Non-use of tobacco and liquor.

Refusing swine’s flesh, with a decided trend toward vegetarianism.

Belief that all rewards or penalties depend upon a coming judgment, and are not being received now.

Belief in spiritual gifts.

Added to these is a leavening of Sabbath-keeping, there being here members of a third generation of Sabbath-keepers. In the home colony there are about one hundred of these, though some of them have felt that to accept this they must deny Christ as do the Jews.

In their worship, all are considered equals; but if one among them shows special talent, he is by common consent allowed to lead, but speedily displaced if found in error. Their meetings are marked by earnestness, and we hope to be able to add to their present zeal a knowledge of what God has done for us, believing that their coming to us is for a purpose.