p. 10 | Riga, Russia by Mrs. J. T. Boettcher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1911

Riga, Russia

By Mrs. J. T. Boettcher

MRS. J. T. BOETTCHER

RECENTLY a high official was sent from St. Petersburg especially to get our 1911 year-book, and learn all about our work. The department for “sects” wishes to publish statistics of our work. The officials in St. Petersburg also wanted to know about the new union in Russia, and that man Perk. Brother Perk, so far, has not been able to get permission to work in Russia, but Mr. Boettcher thinks that this interview will help matters somewhat. The St. Petersburg official and Mr. Boettcher were together several hours, the former writing down what was said.

This evening Mr. Boettcher is away holding a Bible reading with a gentleman from Moscow who attended the meeting Sunday. We also learned to-day that one of the high dignitaries of the Lutheran Church has attended a number of our meetings, and is much interested.

Mr. Boettcher has just brought home a large and interesting work by Hedin, describing his trip in Central Asia and Persia; and when I read in this and other books of perilous journeys and adventures, I must say that surely the angel of the Lord accompanied us on our long journey through Siberia and Central Asia. No one ever molested us, or even disturbed us, although we took along no guards or firearms. From the north to the south we found hospitable homes open to us everywhere, regardless of race or religion. We never paid for a night’s lodging anywhere. I did not see many beds in Siberia, and none in any of the inns at which we stopped in Central Asia. These inns, or stage-coach stations, were kept by Russians. Two or three rooms of the house were open to the travelers, and were, as a rule, surprisingly clean and comfortable. They were quite often carpeted, and contained a table, chairs, and some kind of couch. Sometimes there were blooming plants in the windows, and always holy pictures on the walls, as well as portraits of the czar and czarina. These rooms were as free and open to us as are the waiting-rooms in a depot, and I often wondered that the landlady did not object to the disorder our baggage and lunching made. Sometimes we waked the family out of sound sleep by our coming in the middle of the night, and I heard children cry. The woman of the house, however, got up and brought us the samovar full of boiling hot water, and the necessary cups and saucers.

From Harbin there is not much that I can write. As far as I know, none of our people have died of the plague, but they have passed through trying times, and some of them have become discouraged. They are begging earnestly for a worker to be sent to them again.