RUSSIAN SABBATH-KEEPERS IN DAKOTA TERRITORY.
By James White
It is truly wonderful to what extent the Lord is working among the people of other tongues. The two letters that follow will be of the deepest interest to our readers, as they show that light is breaking forth among the German-speaking Russians in Dakota Territory. The writer, Bro. Eldon H. Pullen, appeals to the President of the General Conference in their behalf, and suggests that a preacher who can speak the German language be sent among them. In his first letter, dated Howard, D. T., Nov. 11, he says:— “Having occasion to pass through the Russian settlements of Dakota, I concluded to remain a few days, to learn what I could of the people, and especially of their religious belief. “They are not Russians proper, but are the descendants of a religious sect of Germans, that left their own country and settled in Russia, because they were opposed to bearing arms against their fellow-men. I find also that they are not, as is generally supposed, all Mennonites, but that there are three religious sects among them; viz., Lutherans, Baptists, and Mennonites. The Mennonites are subdivided into two classes. One class hold their property in common, while the other class believe that each person should control his own property. The Baptists are not a unit. Part of them resemble the Baptists of this country, while the others take the Bible alone as their guide, and claim that we should render implicit obedience to its teachings and requirements. They are temperate, holding to many of the views and practices of our people. They discard the use of alcoholic drinks, and require applicants for church membership to dispense with the use of tobacco. They also practice feet-washing. Being temperate in their habits, and holding some views in common with S. D. Adventists, they can be easily reached by the truth for the present time. “On my way to Milltown I learned of a meeting of this class of Baptists. I attended it, and was well paid for doing so, as I had the pleasure of witnessing the celebration of the ordinances, including feet-washing. After meeting I introduced myself, and told them that I also believed in feet-washing, but differed from them in regard to the Sabbath; but it was difficult to make them understand, as none of them could speak much English. I gave them some German tracts (they all read and speak the German language), and one of them took me home with him. “I was anxious to learn what I could of them, and he was equally desirous to learn something of us. We could talk but little, so we took our Bibles and in this way I pointed out the true Sabbath, and the Spirit of the Lord was present and showed him his duty. He said, The seventh day is the true Sabbath, and men ought to keep it. The next morning I gave him some tracts, and we parted. “The next Sabbath I was with him again, and was greatly rejoiced to learn that he and his wife, his mother, and his stepfather had decided to keep the Sabbath. “The next day (Sunday) I went to meeting with them. The subject of the Sabbath was introduced, and the entire day was devoted to discussing it. I could not understand anything that was said, but helped what I could by referring the new-found friends of the Sabbath to proof-texts. As a result of the debate, four men decided in favor of the Sabbath. These four men, I think, are all married. If they are, and their companions are with them, twelve are observing the Sabbath. “I should have stated before that I learned of a Russian about ten miles from this place, and I hunted him up. I found him an intelligent man. He went with me to the meeting that I have spoken of, about twenty miles from his home, and rendered much assistance. He has been keeping the Sabbath three or four months. “These Russians are very anxious to have some one sent among them that can speak the German language. I promised them that I would do all I could to have some one sent. I told them I would lay the matter before the President of the General Conference, and I thought something would be done for them. “Besides this company, and the brother that I have spoken of, there is another company of five thirty miles from here, that have kept the Sabbath for a short time. They came out through reading. If there is any one that can speak the German language who can be sent here, it appears to me that he can accomplish much good in a short time, as the Spirit of the Lord is especially working for them. They are already interested in behalf of their brethren in Russia. They say that there are many Baptists in Russia who, they are sure, will readily take hold of the Sabbath. “One brother says that if I will get some tracts and work among the Russians, he will accompany me for a month; another brother made a similar offer. The Russians are kind and hospitable, and would take good care of any that labor among them. If anything can be done for this people in the way of sending them help, I would like much to know at once, if it is not asking too much. “If the General Conference see fit to send me some German tracts, I will use them to the best advantage possible. I do not care for many, and would like mostly Sabbath tracts.” In his second letter, dated Bon Homme, D. T., Dec. 1, Bro. Pullen says:— “I have just visited the Sabbath-keeping Russians that live at Lone Tree. There are four of them. This is the company that I mentioned in a previous letter. They are intelligent. One, a young man of twenty-eight, I think will be able to proclaim the message if he can have a teacher for a short time. This young man and another brother visited the settlement that I had been in scattering tracts, and held two meetings; one lasted till two o’clock in the morning and the other all night. They left twenty-five keeping the Sabbath, and still others are interested. “It is evident that the Lord is working on the minds of these people, and that they should be helped. They want the General Conference to send to Dakota some one who is able to speak their language. They are deeply interested for their friends, and if this interest is followed up it may open the way to do something in Russia. Please pardon me for troubling you with this; I do so in behalf of others, hoping that a German teacher may be sent here soon. If any one can be sent, I would be pleased to hear from you. My address is Howard, Turner county, D. T.” We give the foregoing for two reasons: first, to call attention to one of the most interesting circumstances that has occurred in the brief history of our growing cause; and, second, to bring the matter before those who are especially engaged in missionary work, for their reflection and careful investigation, that they may arrive at the best plan for reaching this people. Bro. Pullen should be greatly encouraged at the success which has crowned his labors thus far, and we hope he will continue his efforts until the way shall be opened for a judicious, experienced laborer to visit this people. Those who labor among them should first know that the Lord calls them to that field, and then they should go with the sanction of the General Conference. We refer this matter especially to Eld. Haskell, who has the supervision of the tract and missionary department of our cause.