p. 24 | Persecution of a Russian Preacher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

Persecution of a Russian Preacher

A LETTER written May 3 by Elder J. T. Boettcher from Russia, tells of the arrest, trial, and imprisonment of one of our licensed preachers, charged—but it is alleged falsely so—with having spoken against the Virgin Mary, dishonoring the saints, etc. He is sentenced to two-years’ imprisonment. A letter from one of the believers where this brother lives, written to Brother Boettcher, says:—

I write to tell you that we have received news of the proceedings by the Senate [at St. Petersburg] against Brother P. His sentence of two years has been confirmed. I also wish to inform you that visiting him is strictly forbidden, except in the case of relatives, who may visit him fifteen minutes once a week. He is treated like a vile criminal, and is allowed no cooked food. All our endeavors to procure better treatment for him are in vain. At present he is not in the prison here, so we are told, and neither his wife nor any of us know where he is. They tell us he will be brought back here in about three months.

Thus the faith of our brethren in Russia is once more severely tried. They request earnest prayer at this critical time, that God will interpose in behalf of his cause and people, as other workers are experiencing trouble also.