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The Eighth Annual Session of the Caucasian Conference

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 50.

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The Eighth Annual Session of the Caucasian Conference

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL
THIS conference, with its forty nationalities and its eleven million inhabitants, is one of the most fascinating fields; and because of its historical bearing on the Caucasian race, it is of universal interest to the nations of Europe and America; while the fact that Noah's ark rested on the mountains of Ararat gives this part of the Russian Union Conference a peculiar attraction to all peoples and tribes throughout the world.
THE GREATER AND THE LESSER ARARAT, TAKEN FROM THE NORTH
THE GREATER AND THE LESSER ARARAT, TAKEN FROM THE NORTH
A strong effort seems to have been put forth by the enemy of truth to prevent our coming together this season in the Caucasian field. Our meeting had been appointed for Fürstenort, but the authorities refused us permission. Ignorant of this, Elder J. T. Boettcher and the writer arrived at the place in the forenoon of October 6; and as we were assembled with the Fürstenort brethren that evening, the authorities came, evidently intending to arrest us. Having examined Brother Boettcher's papers and the passports of Brother C. Schamkow (a native worker) and of myself, the officials left, seeing there were no reasons for trying to molest us, as we were not holding the general meeting which they had forbidden, but were only breaking the bread of life to our local church.
The conference and the workers' meetings were held in Alexander, October 7-11. Here, also, trouble threatened us, as there was smallpox in the adjoining colony, and the authorities feared the spread of the disease and the introduction of cholera by the presence of so many strangers. Therefore we were obliged to shorten our meeting as much as possible, getting all the business of the conference out of the way in three sessions.
We were much pleased that it was possible to receive into the conference six new companies, with a combined membership of eighty-six, and to learn that during the last three quarters one hundred thirty-five persons had been taken into our Caucasian churches, giving us now about eight hundred members in this field. Of the twenty-eight churches and companies here, eighteen were represented by thirty-eight delegates; but on Sabbath morning about one hundred Germans and eighty-five Russians were at the Sabbath-school and meeting held in the open air, for the small chapel could not accommodate the people. There are now two companies of believers on the Black and Caspian seas, and one German-Russian church in the Chalmuck steppes. Our work is represented here among the Germans, the Russians, the Lettonians, the Poles, the Embonians, and the Armenians, but this still leaves thirty-four nationalities untouched in the Caucasian district.
Brother H. J. Loebsack was again elected president. He is to be assisted by one ordained minister, two licentiates, two Bible workers, and three colporteurs. These workers were greatly blessed at the meeting, and God helped his servants from abroad — Elders Boettcher, D. P. Gaede, and C. Schamkow — in their efforts to preach the truth to the people.
While at this place, we were pleased to meet our sister who had formerly been treasurer of a socialist society. She was sent into banishment for a time, and while thus exiled, learned the truth, and is now one of our most earnest missionary members. We were also rejoiced to learn of the great interest among the “Molokaner,” hundreds of whom keep the Sabbath, and many of whom seem to be anxiously seeking for truth. Recently we have baptized thirty among them in one village, and we hope to have baptism there again soon. The Lord is also blessing our efforts to present the message to the Armenians. One Armenian brother has been bitterly persecuted, and compelled to leave his village. Two new publications have been issued recently in this tongue—“Prophetic Lights” and “Is the End Near?” We expect soon to have another Russian book—“His Glorious Appearing.” At this meeting there was a collection amounting to one hundred twenty-two rubles, for the proposed institutions of the Russian Union Conference.
The outlook in this field is very promising, and we feel sure all will remember to pray for the cause and workers here.
Alexandrodar.