p. 12 | Russia by J. T. BOETTCHER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1908

Russia

By J. T. BOETTCHER

J. T. BOETTCHER

Good reports are coming in from all parts of our union, and we shall have over three hundred new converts for the second quarter of 1908. I have just ended my trip among the churches of the Baltic Conference. We had baptism in nearly every church, and organized two new churches and one company. One of the new churches organized was at Mitan, the capital of Courland. For a long time this city has been closed to us, as we could not obtain liberty to hold meetings, or procure a hall. At last, walking by faith, we rented a large room, paid the rent in advance, and sent in a petition to the governor, asking permission to conduct our services. After the government officials had investigated the situation thoroughly, we, being obliged, at some expense, to furnish drafts of the exterior and interior of the house, we finally received full permission to hold our meetings. Among the persons who accepted the truth and were baptized were a gendarme and his wife. He is a fine gentleman, speaking three languages, and standing in good favor with his officers. Before we had obtained permission for our public meetings, we held secret readings at his house, where, of course, we felt quite safe.

We baptize either early in the morning or about midnight, and have some interesting, and sometimes thrilling, experiences. At one place we were to conduct a baptism about three miles outside of a town, and, in order to be unnoticed, fearing disturbance, we chose the midnight. Closing our meeting at about half-past ten, we started quietly on our way, thinking no one knew. But instead of this, we found a crowd of people awaiting us outside the town. These accompanied us, and afterward others followed, until there were at least one hundred fifty, among whom were three policemen, the city physician, and a soldier. Our hearts trembled, not knowing whether we were with friends or foes. It was quite evident that many were not coming for any good purpose, and some were even intoxicated. We lifted our hearts to God in prayer that this might be turned so as to glorify his name. And this was truly the case.

One of the policemen stepped up and asked if he should make the people take off their hats during the services. We replied that we left that matter with each individual. But, to our surprise, at the beginning of the first hymn every head was uncovered, and stillness and order reigned through the entire service. Where heretofore we have dreaded to see policemen, we now quite often find them friends to the cause of God.

But our baptismal scenes are not always so peaceful. Many of the people are very rough, uncouth, and bigoted. At another time, while we were baptizing in the Baltic Sea, the husbands of two women who were among the candidates rushed forward and took their wives away by force. However, the baptism went on without further disturbance.

In a university city we also baptized thirteen in a river, at midnight. Now, you must remember that so far north it is not dark at midnight, and many people are still going about. A very rough crowd gathered along the river bank, and others were in boats upon the river. We had to administer this solemn rite amid many threats and curses. However, God gave us peace in our hearts, and we proceeded quietly till all was finished, nor did God allow any one of us to be harmed. Before the close, some of the crowd even took our part. The next day, Sabbath, we had a good meeting, and there was present a woman who had walked all night (about eighteen miles), in the rain, to attend this service. She was not of our faith, but had heard of the meeting, and wanted to be present. She bore a good testimony.

In St. Petersburg our church has been passing through many difficulties. It has always been difficult to find a place of worship. At last we rented an entire flat, and dedicated one large, pleasant room as a meeting-hall. But at the end of three months, the city officials came and objected to the holding of meetings in a private room, and so for many months our members there have had no

regular place of worship, although constantly on the search for one. This has hindered the work seriously. But God is working. We recently baptized a man there, a Russian belonging to the Greek Church, who is a blacksmith and wagon maker, and has in his employ about twenty-five men. When I first visited his home, I saw several expensive Russian gods hanging on the wall. These are gone now, and he is serving the true God. He is thinking seriously of attending the coming General Conference at Washington.

Our people in St. Petersburg have decided that they must build a chapel for worship, so that they may no longer be driven from pillar to post. A committee was appointed, and plans are being laid, in faith, as we do not know whence the means will come. The brother already mentioned has given one hundred rubles, and a sister has given twenty-five rubles, to the fund.

Surely, in this great capital city, with its dense population, there ought to be some place from which the light of present truth can shine forth brightly; for the darkness is intense. There are many great and rich churches with their gilded towers glistening high in the sun, chapels on many corners, and Russian gods hanging over many doors; in fact, I never saw so much religion and such great devotion.

Are they not seeking after God, if haply they may find him?

We shall feel thankful when we have a school where we can educate Russian workers, who can bring to these people the true way. At present we have not even a single book in the Russian — nothing larger than pamphlets.

We are always glad to hear from the home land. It cheers us to know that you are all interested in us here.

Riga.