J. T. BOETTCHER by J. T. BOETTCHER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 2, 1909

J. T. BOETTCHER

By J. T. BOETTCHER

Russia

J. T. BOETTCHER

The work of the Lord is extending more and more in all directions. This is also the case in Russia. Last January two new fields were organized—the Little Russian, and the Middle Asian. We find these new divisions were very timely, and the brethren in responsible positions have had good success. In the city of Charkow we now have a church of twenty-eight members. Brother G. Perk has baptized in many Russian villages, and the calls are so many that it is impossible for one minister to answer them all.

From one village, where more than three hundred persons meet to worship, a brother writes as follows: “During the summer thirty-six persons have been baptized here, and others are desiring to follow. In short, the church is growing in the midst of darkness. It rejoices me to see how the Lord is enlightening the people; and they themselves feel very thankful for the light of the truth. They are deeply grateful for the love and interest shown in the work in Russia by the brethren and sisters in other lands. They very much desire that you should visit us, speak to our edification, and also see how we are situated here,—how we are obliged to meet in the open air for our services. As long as the summer lasts, this makes no difference; but our church-members feel very uneasy at present, as they do not know where they are to meet when winter comes. Last winter several became sick and died, and they fear the same will happen again. Therefore, dear Brother Boettcher, we pray that you will come and see how things are. In all Russia there is not another church in such a sad condition as this. I only wish you could be present at one of our evening meetings. In the evening we are not allowed to assemble out of doors, so we gather in a private dwelling. The people sit on the stove, on the bed, in fact they almost sit on each other, and the children actually sit upon the shelves and mantel-pieces along the wall. The doors and windows are opened, that those standing outside may hear. The rooms are so low that the air becomes very bad, almost stifling. If one preaches an hour, his clothes are as wet as if they had been placed in hot water. This is all possible in summer; but what shall we do when the winter comes, and the people can no longer stand outside? We shall not be able to meet, as many would get sick, perhaps contract contagious diseases. This condition of things I deplore greatly. I pray you, send us money quickly, or come to us, that we may build a meeting-house.”

When calls of this kind come, there must be ways and means to enable us to hasten to the help of a church in need like this. They certainly should have a meeting-hall.

During the last few weeks we have been corresponding with some brethren and sisters in the city of Harbin, who have accepted the truth without ever having seen one of our ministers. Harbin lies in Manchuria, which belongs to China, and is, therefore, not in the Russian Union Conference. But as these people are Russians, they look to us for help. In their last letter they wrote as follows: “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: We wish you peace, and send you as greeting psalm 133. Herewith we inform you that we send you twenty-three rubles,—twenty-one rubles tithe, and for the remainder of the money, please send tracts. I received the tracts which you sent; but when I rode to my daughter’s funeral, I forgot the Bible and tracts, and so was left without help. Dear brethren in Christ, if it is possible, will you, please, take all the tracts and pamphlets printed in Russian, and let them be bound together in a soft leather binding, and send them to me, so that I can hold lectures? It often happens that I have occasion to speak with the people about the truth; and without these helps, it is difficult for me to do so. I hope that you will not refuse this request. I have already written to you, pleading that a minister be sent to us to help us strengthen our faith. We are waiting, and we most heartily ask you not to deny us this request. Perhaps there is a minister in Siberia who could come to us, as we should be baptized. Please send a brother to us soon.

“Unitedly we greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Yours in hope and anticipation.”

This letter was signed by five brethren and three sisters. Such calls make us feel most keenly our inability to help. At present we can only pray for these dear souls, that God may give them his Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth. There is no one to send, yet some one must go to this needy field. There is only one minister in Siberia, who already has his hands full, and who, in every letter to us, asks that we send him at least two more workers. Our needs are great—a sign that the field is ripe for the harvest, and that God will cut short his work in righteousness.

From other parts of the empire encouraging reports are received. In the city of Liban, of the Baltic Conference, we now have a church of seventy members. Only about one year ago the police of that place disorganized our church, which caused great sadness and discouragement to the members. As soon as we heard of this, a worker was sent to their assistance, and his efforts have been blessed. Their membership has increased.

In Odessa, where a brother is working, after having waited a whole year before he could obtain permission to hold meetings, the attendance is so good that his hall had to be enlarged.

On all sides we have difficulties to meet. The time for our fall conference meetings is at hand, and from two places we have heard that permission to hold them has not been granted us. Such things bring us nearer to the throne of grace, where we plead with God that his work may not be hindered. Our courage was never better. Though we meet with difficulties, we are not cast down. Brother K. A. Reifschneider had hardly reached his new field, when his little son died. Brother H. J. Loebsack has had to pass through a siege of smallpox in his family. We are in the land of the enemy, and I trust our brethren and sisters will remember us with their prayers, and with their means.

Riga.