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RUSSIA

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 26, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 47.

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RUSSIA.

By A. B. Leonard, D.D.

BY A. B. LEONARD, D.D.
ONE of the greatest problems of the twentieth century will be the evangelization of Russia. At present no country on earth is farther removed from toleration. But her hermit exclusiveness can not long withstand the progressive spirit of the age. The pressure is becoming very great, and the obstructions must give way. When once open to the free proclamation of the Gospel, it will be one of the most fruitful in spiritual results of any country on earth. Already the Bible is being widely distributed among the people, through the agency of the British Bible Society, which spends one-seventh of its income for that purpose. The peasantry of the country read the New Testament with great interest, and even embrace and kiss it, as tho it were a living personality. The people have great reverence for sacred things, and are readily led into a true spiritual experience.
A few years ago Lord Radstock, of England, visited Russia and led Count Korff and Colonel Pashkoff into a rich religious experience. They in turn led others into the light, but were soon arrested and banished. Many of their converts still hold out, and the good work goes on in a quiet way.
Then there are the Stundists, numbering about 250,000, who, sorely persecuted, are not only continuing to exist, but growing in numbers and influence. They are sometimes called the Methodists of Russia, altho they are Baptists and are a very spiritual people. Here is a description given by an eye-witness of a religious service: "They salute each other with hand-shakes and embraces, the men kissing the men and the women the women. Then they sit down, the men on one side, the women on the other. The elder takes his place at the table and gives out a chant. He then reads and explains a chapter in the Bible, and gives an opportunity for any one else to add a word of explanation. Women are not permitted to teach, but following 1 Cor. 11:5, they are permitted to pray in meeting. After several hymns and prayers the elder closes the service with a sermon."
—Gospel in All Lands.