NOTES FROM RUSSIA by H. P. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 18, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 24.

NOTES FROM RUSSIA.

By H. P. H.

BY H. P. H.

The Russian Empire, already so vast, is constantly adding to its greatness. Her resources in soil, timber, and mines are almost unlimited; these are being gradually developed, and will in time render Russia quite independent of the rest of the world. The western world looks upon Russia as uncivilized, but Russia shares a different opinion. She does not look with favor on all the developments of modern civilization; indeed, she regards many of them as signal failures; she points to the universal discontent of the laboring classes of other nations as an evidence that modern civilization is wrong in its organization of society; in this, she thinks that she is superior, and that others will ultimately come up to her standard, instead of her coming down to theirs.

The rapidity with which Russia is pushing the building of railways in various directions across her vast territory, is truly remarkable. Her great rivers are navigable to an unusual extent, and connect the large interior, containing the mass of her population, with the Baltic Sea on the north, the Black Sea on the south, and the Caspian in the interior of Asia. Railways are already operating far into the interior of Siberia and close to the border of India. The Siberian railway is already surveyed through China, reaching the sea at Peking; and another is being built north to connect St. Petersburg with the White Sea at Archangel.

At present, the government is studying a project for a ship canal the size of the Suez Canal, to connect the Baltic with the Black Sea. This would be accomplished by connecting the Dyna with the Dnieper, at a cost of 500,000,000 rubles. The capital for this project is already in sight. With such a canal, the Baltic and Black Sea war fleets could quickly be united without passing foreign waters.

Politically, Russia scored marked victories the past year; when the war between China and Japan closed, she quietly appropriated the best advantages; and in the long diplomatic contest between England and Turkey over the Armenian question, she, without any ado, coolly took the lion’s share.

At this writing, Russia is all alive preparing for the coronation, which is to take place May 26. Judging by the number of distinguished guests from the leading nations of the world, it will be the world’s greatest event of the kind. Moscow is undergoing a general house-cleaning; most buildings, even to old houses tottering with age, are being repainted or perhaps painted for the first time. But all the gay colors and pompous robes of royalty will not atone for the wretched pavements, which are rough enough to shake all the delight out of those accustomed to the pavements of the western world.

There has already been a general exodus from St. Petersburg. Many extra express trains were required by the unusual crowds. The majority of the fine coach horses have also been sent to Moscow. May 17, the day on which the writer passed from Moscow to St. Petersburg, the czar passed from St. Petersburg to Moscow. The railway line was well guarded by soldiers stationed about 100 yards apart. It was particularly noticeable that a soldier or two stood at every bridge or cattle guard.

The greatest care is taken for the safety of the czar at Moscow. It is said that 200,000 soldiers will be present. Every one that comes to Moscow must have a clear record, well attested. On arriving at a hotel, one has hardly time to remove his hat before his passport is demanded.

While all Russia is wrapped up in these coronation festivities, she is sensible of the enemy lurking within her borders. This situation presents a striking illustration of the uncertain foundation of earthly glory, and leads the mind to the heavenly, where there will be no sin to make afraid.

Russia’s statesmen are dreaming of the future greatness of their empire; but they leave the prophetic word out of their calculations. Soon all the kingdoms of earth will crumble at the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords; then “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.”

It is cheering to know that some in Russia are so much interested in this kingdom of glory and the heavenly coronation; that they have very little interest in the earthly; their light shining in the darkness attracts others, and thus the Gospel is spreading in this great empire. There are many things to indicate that the closing triumphs of the Gospel will be great in Russia.

Helsingfors, Finland, May 22.