THE Russian Union Conference territory embraces one sixth of the earth’s surface, with almost every race of people in the world represented. The most prominent peoples are the Great Russians, Little Russians, White Russians, Polanders, Lithuanians, Germans, Armenians, Kalmucks, and Cossacks.
Our conference and publishing headquarters is in Riga, of the Baltic provinces. Our work has been largely carried on in the cities. Since the organization of our union conference, in 1907, we have seen wonderful results from our missionary efforts. Churches have been organized or companies of believers formed in many leading centers, north and south, and from the Baltic to Siberia.
Siberia
During the last few years many people have been emigrating to Siberia, and among these quite a number of our people. These have spread the truth until calls are coming from many parts of that great country. We have now organized a Siberian Mission. Elder K. Reifschneider, formerly of Russia, came from Hungary, and settled in the city of Omsk. Last winter he traveled two thousand miles, mostly in sledges. One man who had heard of this advent message came from Tobolsk, went south to Turkestan, and from there back to Omsk, to find the truth, and to-day he and his family are rejoicing in the same. As far east as the city of Harbin, Manchuria, our work has gained a foothold, so that we are occupying China from the west.
Here is a message sent us by these Harbin believers:—
“To the church of God in Riga,—
“We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and beg of you most earnestly to help us in the upbuilding of our faith, for we desire to build our house on the rock; therefore we earnestly petition you to send us a brother who can help us and work for the Master here among us.”
“The grace of God be with you all. Amen.”
Brother Reifschneider asks for ten workers to come to his aid. Siberia is a wonderful missionary field.
Turkestan, Central Asia
The government has built a railway going south from Samaria to Tashkend, and westward to the Caspian Sea, a distance of two thousand five hundred miles. It has opened the country to settlers. Two thirds of the land is level, and the climate very dry. The people raise sheep, goats, and horses, but not many cattle. On account of the warm climate the people live in tents of haircloth.
Great varieties of fruit and many kinds of grain grow here. The silk and carpet industries flourish. Some of our people have moved into the very heart of this country. This field needs five or six workers at once; but we have neither the men nor the means. We need help in establishing our Russian school for the training of missionary workers. There is no country in the world where ministers, doctors, teachers, nurses, Bible workers, and canvassers are more appreciated than in Russia.
