THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.
By Estella Houser
IN this vast empire with one hundred and thirty-five million people, the third angel's message makes slow but steady progress. It is now about fifteen years since this field was first entered, but until six years ago labor was entirely confined to the southeastern and rural parts of the country. Churches are scattered from Rumania on the west far into Siberia on the east. Hundreds have emigrated into other countries, but there are still more than seven hundred in this part of the empire who love the appearing of our Lord. In 1895 a minister was sent into the north, and soon churches were organized in several of the leading cities along the Baltic. Thus a large mission field was developed in this part of the empire, where there is a mixed population of nearly forty millions of people. The great Russian capital has over a million inhabitants, and there are several large cities of three hundred thousand or more. As this field was separated from the southern by a stretch of more than twelve hundred miles over territory wholly unentered with this message, it was impossible for one superintendent to do justice to both fields, so at the German Union Conference held in the fall of 1901 steps were taken to divide the territory, organizing a conference in the south and a mission field in the north. The force of workers in the mission field is composed of one ordained minister, two licensed ministers, and three Bible-workers. As limited as is this number when compared to the vastness of the field and its needs, for lack of means they are unable to keep all in the field all the time. Much more could be done if sufficient means were at the command of those who have the oversight of this work. Literature is very much needed for the many peoples represented here. This was illustrated in the Sabbath-school held during the meeting at which the mission field was organized. There were four nationalities in the seven classes. Besides these there are nine millions of Poles and five millions of Jews who must be reached, for whom they have neither literature nor laborers in their own tongue. But notwithstanding the great need, the brethren feel that an advance step was taken when the organization was effected. They will do all within their power to carry forward the work in their own field; but we who have many more advantages must stand by them loyally. In southern Russia the financial outlook is a little brighter. Their tithes and offerings last year amounted to nineteen hundred dollars, and the brethren have pledged themselves to support their workers. Because of the drought, the Russian Government has been compelled to aid its people in at least nineteen provinces. Our own brethren have not had full crops the past year; but they are not suffering for the necessaries of life, and are taking hold nobly to support this work. But their greatest need is financial aid. During the conference in southern Russia two ministers were ordained, and fifty were added to the church-membership by baptism and otherwise. As the workers go forth to preach the message in the several tongues of the country, and the brethren and sisters take up their work with renewed courage, let us not overlook this field, remembering it in its great need, in our prayers and in our offerings. Mission Board Office. ESTELLA HOUSER.