The Work in Russia by Gerhard Perk

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1912

The Work in Russia

By Gerhard Perk

SARATOF.—Concerning the progress of the work here in far-away Russia we can say, as did Paul in 2 Cor. 6: 8: “By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed.”

We are having varied experiences. On the one hand, the dragon is wroth, and Herod wishes to slay the Child; on the other hand, are Jannes and Jambres who have turned their rods into serpents, and Sanballat and the Arabians are plotting together. But we are comforted, for Christ is in the ship with us, and we know that he has all power in heaven and on earth. Therefore we are of good courage, and the work of the Lord is ever onward.

It almost seemed as if the priest, Iliodor, from Zarizin, would be more dangerous to the work of God than all the rest, as he had also the archbishop of Saratof on his side, of whom all stand in fear, and to whom all must bow. But lo! suddenly they are both deposed from their position, and must do penance for their deeds. The archbishop had even sent a secretary who was to watch all our meetings and make note of everything that took place. Now he also is dismissed. Nevertheless, the clergy are keeping their eyes on us. In one of the church papers the following invitation was recently published: “To-morrow evening at 6: 30 in the large assembly-room of the church-school will be held an open discussion by the missionaries concerning Sabbath and Sunday. We invite the Seventh-day Adventists to come for a friendly discussion. Give heed to 1 Peter 3: 15.”

We could only decline this invitation, in accordance with Neh. 6: 3 and 2 Tim. 2: 23, 24, because no good would come from it, the people being too rough and ignorant to be benefited by a discussion. In another column of the same paper appeared an article of considerable length, charging us with enmity toward both church and government, and calling upon one another to unite in order to meet this danger. We are declared to be “sowing the pernicious seeds” of our belief “throughout the whole empire,” and ready to adopt any means, lawful or unlawful, to accomplish our ends.

Freedom under Russian law exists

only on paper. In reality one sees the opposite, and, because the power of the church rules, it is she who frequently seizes unlawful means to obtain her end. Nevertheless since we know that the work is the Lord’s, and that we must stand as Gideon’s chosen band, each in his place, and not like Shemaiah, who shut himself up in the temple, we must stand firm for the work of the Lord and not waver. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Another difficulty we have to contend with in the Siberian Union is famine. One fortunate thing is that in this country every village has a state provision store. These are now open, and the people are at least saved from starvation, otherwise the outlook would be very serious. May God grant us more of his grace, and put it in the heart of upright souls to accept the truth while there is yet time, and not to look back as did Lot’s wife. Pray for our field.

GERHARD PERK.