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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 30.

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Russia

By V. PAMPALAN

TIFLIS.—As it often happens that one has the least spare time when he is accomplishing the least, so it has been with us. In a country where Satan seems to have full control of everything, it will not be strange for the message to be hindered by outside matters. It takes some time to learn the enemy’s tactics peculiar to this place, and we have had many things to learn. We have not found a man whom we could trust for help. At first it was very difficult to be patient when we saw the way the people deal, but we are learning patience.
The hope of starting medical missionary work we are obliged to set aside at present. To obtain permission to practise seems almost impossible. All kinds of missionary work must be done secretly. To convert even a Mohammedan to Christianity any other than that of the state church, is punishable with months of imprisonment. It takes great wisdom to bring this message to the attention of the people.
For some time we have thought of passing over into the Persian territory, where we should have none of the restrictions we meet here, and at the same time have the same class of people to work with—Armenians and Persians, both of whose languages we are able to speak. Persia has been open to missionaries for many years. There the soil has been broken and made ready for the third angel’s message.
In order to awaken the Armenians of the Caucasus from their deadly sleep, an exceeding “loud cry” is necessary. Press and speech must be fully employed.
Recently such a deadly enmity has broken out between Armenians and the Mohammedan population of the Caucasus that bloodshed and fighting are the order of the day. In one city there were nearly two thousand killed. There is a great demand for revolvers, rifles, and other instruments of destruction. The people are willing to pay large prices for them.
On the other hand, there is very little seeking after God and his truth. We are having a foretaste of the conditions which are soon to take place when the angels of strife are loosened. We feel our utter helplessness and our entire dependence upon God. Our constant prayer is, Lord, help us to hold up the standard of the truth, and warn the people of the soon-coming judgment.
V. PAMPALAN.