General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
Conference Proceedings. SIXTH MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
May 16, 10:30 A. M.
Elder O. A. Olsen in the chair. Prayer was offered by Elder S. N. Haskell, who had just arrived. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.10
New delegates were seated, as follows: Delegate at large, S. N. Haskell; British Union, Dr. A. B. Olsen; Lake Union, J. W. Mace; Central Union, B. E. Huffman; Canadian Union, Eugene Leland. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.11
Upon motion of Allen Moon, supported by J. O. Corliss, the following-named brethren were seated as honorary delegates: G. W. Amadon, A. C. Bourdeau, J. L. Prescott. To this list of honorary delegates were added, by unanimous vote, the names of R. M. Kilgore and R. F. Andrews. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.12
Upon motion of J. R. Bryant, duly seconded, it was voted that the consideration of further names that may be suggested as honorary delegates be referred to the committee on seating of delegates. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.13
The committee appointed to nominate the standing committees of the Conference, rendered a further report, which was acted upon item by item, as follows:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.14
“Your committee appointed to nominate the standing committees for the session, submit the following further report:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.15
“Committee on Licenses and Credentials: W. A. Spicer (chairman), J. L. Shaw, J. N. Anderson, F. W. Field, E. W. Farnsworth, A. G. Haughey. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.16
“Committee on Distribution of Labor: The Members of the General Conference Committee. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.17
“Committee on Reference: W. C. Sisley, (chairman), A. T. Robinson, Geo I. Butler, C. W. Flaiz, H. Shultz, M. N. Campbell, C. H. Edwards, C. H. Jones, J. M. Johanson, N. Z. Town, W. H. Heckman, G. W. Caviness, R. T. Dowsett, C. N. Woodward, J. O. Miller, C. P. Bollman, J. T. Boettcher, J. Curdy. GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.18
H. Hartkop, J. G. Oblander, W. T. Bartlett, R. H. Habenicht. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.1
“Committee on Revision of Constitution: H. W. Cottrell (chairman), W. A. Westworth, James Cochran, W. T. Bartlett, J. H. Evans, C. W. Irwin, L. R. Conradi.” GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.2
A. G. Daniells explained that the committee on reference had been suggested for the purpose of having some suitable representative body to which could be referred, for study and prayerful consideration, a number of questions or appeals from union conferences, and from individuals, that have been handed in to be dealt with in some way during the Conference session. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.3
The report was adopted. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.4
The chairman stated that the special order for this meeting is the report of the Russian Union Conference. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.5
REPORTS OF THE RUSSIAN CONFERENCE
The General Field
Before Elder J. T. Boettcher presented his report, a choir of delegates sang a Russian hymn. After this Elder Boettcher spoke as follows:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.6
The Russian Union Conference extends from the shores of the Baltic Sea to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and from the Arctic Ocean on the north to the Black Sea and Mongolia on the south. It embraces one sixth of the entire area of the earth’s surface. The population of the Union is 148,442,000. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.7
Almost every race of people found in the world is represented in this great country. Among the most prominent are the Great Russians, Little Russians, White Russians, Polanders, Lithuanians, Germans, Rumanians, Armenians, Calmucks, Cossacks, etc. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.8
The Russian Church differs much from the Roman Catholic. Probably the reason for this is found in its origin, the former coming from Constantinople, while the latter came from Rome. That also accounts for the name, “Greek Catholic Church.” In fact, the Russians hate the Roman Catholic Church almost more than any other; still, as there are so many of them in Poland, the Roman Catholic Church predominates there, and tries to drive out any other denomination which attempts to establish itself. While in all other cities of Russia, the British Bible Society has its canvassers, in the city of Warsaw, Poland, it has none. The Russian Church is a state church, and is governed by the Holy Synod, which has its seat in St. Petersburg. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.9
The Russian Union Conference was organized during the fall of 1907, in Riga, the organization going into effect Jan. 1, 1908. Up to this time it was a part of the German Union. For the quadrennial term ending Dec. 31, 1908, 1,541 members had been received by baptism, and 613 received by vote, bringing our membership up from 2,103, at the beginning of the term, to 3,077 at the end of that time. [Hearty amens were heard.] In 1905 we were paying an annual tithe of $5,587. Last year the tithe had risen to $11,431. The tithes and offerings for the four years were $39,243. We have in the field 14 ministers, 9 licentiates, 15 Bible workers, and 9 other laborers, with 34 canvassers. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.10
The reason for our comparatively small net gain is due largely to the fact that we were unable to properly care for and instruct our Russian members, and during the time of persecution we lost great numbers. We have reason to believe that in the future the Lord will help us in this matter, so that the most of those who are won for the truth will stand firm. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.11
The Lord helped us in getting our constitution acknowledged for the Russian branch of the Hamburg Publishing House. This opened the way for the distribution of our literature, the effects of which are already being felt. The duty on the literature is, however, very high, especially on Russian publications, amounting to about 25 cents a pound. Our book sales were not very large, but it must be remembered that we have only pamphlets and tracts, and the most of our canvassing has been done in small country towns. When we secure larger books we shall be free to canvass the larger towns and cities, which as yet have scarcely been touched. We have no trouble in Riga with the censor. Even though we had many expenses in moving from Hamburg to Riga, yet our office had a small gain for the year. This was really better than we had dared to hope. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.12
Our union had, at the time of its organization, three conferences and three mission fields. The oldest of these was the Caucasian Conference, of which Elder Loebsack will speak. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.13
Next is the South Russian Conference, for which Elder D. Isaak will speak. It was organized in January, 1908. At present there are 19 churches and companies, with a membership of 553. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.14
THE BALTIC CONFERENCE
was organized, together with the Russian Union, in October, 1907, the organization going into effect Jan. 1, 1908. The Baltic provinces, of which this conference is largely composed, have only a population of a little over six million people. The aborigines were Estonians and Livonians. The better class to-day are Germans, while the peasants are Lithuanians and Estonians. Until recent years, everything was German. The schools were entirely so. There was the German university at Dorpat, the polytechnic in Riga, the academies in Fellin and Birkenruhe near Wenden. In every city were also graded schools; so that there could hardly be found a peasant who could not read or write. The Lutheran pastors also took a great interest in the educational work. However, between the years 1870 and 1880 the courts, the police, and the schools were all put into the hands of Russians. This was a step backward. Russian is now taught in the schools, and every policeman is a Russian. The educational work has in many respects stood still, yet only a very small number are among the illiterate. Of all Russia, the Baltic provinces have the best school system. The people here do not consider themselves a part of Russia. One can hear them say, if they are going to St. Petersburg or Moscow, “I am going to Russia.” GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.15
Our work has been largely carried on in the cities. We have churches or companies in a good many of them. Since the organization, we have seen wonderful results from our missionary efforts. We have tried to procure meeting-halls of our own with the acknowledgment of the government, and most of them have proved too small. The people gladly listen to the third angel’s message. We have 14 churches and companies, with a membership of 545. During 1908, 185 new converts were admitted, with only one ordained minister, two licentiates, four missionary licentiates, and seven canvassers engaged in the work. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.16
THE WEST RUSSIAN MISSION FIELD
Though Elder D. P. Gaede, the superintendent, will speak for this field, he wishes me to give some facts. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.17
The field has a population of 22,000,000 people, mostly Polanders and Jews though there are many Germans, Russians, and others. It is a great manufacturing district. One spinning factory in Lodz employs 7,000 hands. Most of the five and a half million Jews in Russia live in this district. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.18
The Jew has not the liberty to choose his place of residence in Russia, but is confined to certain proscribed districts and city wards. Neither is he permitted to own land. Because of all these restrictions, they have settled to an overflow in the Jewish districts. Such poverty as is here seen can be found only in India or China. Often we find several families living together in one room in a cellar, with no window. All kinds of vice and sickness follow. The little children are sent out on the streets to beg, so as to keep their sick parents from starving. Since the Jews dare not move about, the same trade is handed down from father to son, causing a superabundance of the same kind of trades until the competition is so great that there is no profit left. In the city of Minsk alone, there are 3,000 tailors. The weaver works seventeen hours a day in order to earn a dollar and a half to three dollars a week. If he earns three dollars, he feels as rich as a merchant. Living under this condition of things it is little wonder that so many of them become revolutionists. We have been able to do a little work for the Jews, and in Wilna two have embraced the truth. One is completing his education in the Hamburg publishing office. This field has two ordained ministers, two licentiates, and one missionary licentiate. Its membership is 296; there were 37 new additions in 1908. We have also opened the work in the city of Warsaw, where we now have a little start. GCB May 17, 1909, page 33.19
THE EAST RUSSIAN MISSION
is composed of Russian Turkestan, Siberia, and the provinces along the river Volga. The population is about the same as that of West Russia—22,000,000. The river Volga is the largest river in Europe, being 3,700 miles long—almost as long as the Mississippi, and three times as long as the Rhine. It has 1,200 steamers plying up and down its waters. The different steamship companies carry not only passengers but also freight. A trip on this river is counted among the finest in Russia. Here Northern and Eastern life meet as nowhere else. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.1
In the year 1763 Catherine II invited all foreigners to settle in Russia, and many Germans responded to the invitation. They were granted liberty of conscience, freedom from taxes and from military services. Along the river Volga between the cities of Samara and Czarezin, there are over one hundred German settlements or communities. Each settler in the community was given the use of eighty acres of land, the land, however, to remain the common property of the community. This eighty acres is not in one piece, but consists of small strips, often many miles apart. This arrangement is made because the quality of the land differs. The right to the use of the eighty acres is inheritable from the father to the youngest son. Neither, however, is permitted to keep the same land very long, as every few years lots are cast, and new divisions of the community land are made. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.2
This arrangement keeps the people very poor. They can neither buy nor sell, and they lose all interest in improving the soil, knowing that they cannot keep the land. Very often they have drought which causes famine. The last few years we have been obliged to send our brethren money to buy seed and bread. The government and other societies have erected field kitchens where hundreds of hungry are fed. Under these circumstances, it has been very hard for our work to make much headway, and had not our German brethren in America come to our aid in sending us a few thousand dollars, there would have been much suffering among our people. These people are very thankful for what is being done for them. They show their willingness to bring the truth to their neighbors. The brethren go from one settlement to another with the printed page. We have two ministers and three missionary licentiates. The membership is 452. Seventy-nine new converts were received last year. About ten canvassers have been at work with our periodicals. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.3
MIDDLE RUSSIAN MISSION
This is the largest of all our fields, having a population of nearly 64,000,000. Here is found the real Russian peasant life as nowhere else. The Russian village, with its two rows of log houses covered with straw, and having no chimney, without a flower or a tree to be seen anywhere, looks plain indeed. There are no gardens where vegetables are grown. If one steps inside the house, which consists of but one room, he will find in a corner the picture of some saint, with a little lamp burning before it. [He showed one of these pictures, and lighted the lamp before it.] In the middle of the room is the large Russian stove, in which bread is baked, and at night part of the family sleep on top of the stove, while during the week all the family bathe in it. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.4
The household furniture consists of a table, a few benches, and an oil painting of the czar. Beds are not to be found. Old and young sleep on the floor, covered with rags, old clothes, or their sheepskin coats. An old knife, two bowls, two kettles, and a number of wooden spoons are all the kitchen utensils for a family of five. Their food consists of sour bread, potatoes, and buckwheat. On high feast days, they have cucumbers, onions, and cabbage. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.5
The women spin their own yarn, and weave the cloth used to clothe the family. During the winter, which lasts six months, the whole family hover around the stove, the room being filled with smoke. In the same room with the family are housed little lambs, calves, and pigs during the cold weather. If the first-born baby happens to be a girl, the relatives take the father out and whip him till the blood runs. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.6
The most of these people can neither read nor write. The priests with whom they come in contact are not much above them. These peasants are abused by every one, so that they have become very suspicious of any one coming into their village. They are not stupid by nature, are naturally pious and have great respect for the Word of God. They are very teachable and greatly need our help. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.7
During the year 1908 this mission field took into the church 215 new converts, and its entire membership is 411, with 8 workers. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.8
THE OUTLOOK
At our recent union committee meeting held at Moscow, some important changes were made. Already, last fall at the meeting of the General Conference Committee at Skodsborg, it was decided to separate Siberia from the East Russian Mission. And now it was further thought best to form a new mission field from that part of Russia known as Central Asia, or Russian Turkestan, this mission to be placed under the direction of the union. Still another field was formed in the south, composed of four governments taken from the Middle Russian Mission and one from the South Russian Conference, to compose the Little Russian Mission, also to be under the direction of the union. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.9
SIBERIA
During the last few years a great 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. On account of the interest developed there, it was thought best, beginning Jan. 1, 1909, to separate this vast country from the East Russian Mission, and put it under the supervision of the Russian Union. Elder Reifschneider, formerly of Russia, came from Hungary, and settled in the city of Omsk. Last winter he traveled two thousand miles, mostly in sledges. As the weather was so cold, he could not baptize, but he says there will be sixty or seventy ready for baptism this spring. One man 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, five are keeping the Sabbath, so that we are occupying China from the west. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.10
Here is a letter sent us by these five believers:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.11
“To the church of God in Riga, the elect in Christ Jesus our Lord:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.12
“We know that you, beloved in the Lord, are chosen of God, and we are acquainted with your labor, and earnest effort to proclaim the glad tidings of the gospel to all the world, to the honor of God. There are five of us here in Harbin, who have embraced the truth, and we desire to unite with the church of God, which is the body of Jesus Christ. The sixth brother is in Boguslaw near Dibinitz. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.13
“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 over here in our midst. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.14
“The grace of God be with you all, Amen.” GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.15
Brother Reifschneider asks for ten workers to come to his aid. We could only give him one, who has recently returned from the school in Friedensau. Siberia is a wonderful missionary field. In a short time it will be self-supporting, the Lord willing. At our recent union meeting, Brother Reifschneider was asked to take the presidency of the Caucasian Conference, and Brother H. K. Loesback is to go to Siberia. There are hundreds of families moving to Siberia, and they are there without a church. Just now they could easily be impressed and reached by the truth. There are also good openings for our young people to teach school in the Russian and German languages. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.16
CENTRAL ASIA
The Russian government has built a railway going south from Samara to Tashkend, and from there westward to the Caspian Sea, a distance of over 2,500 miles. This railroad has been numbered among the great undertakings of modern times, and it has opened the country to many new settlers. Two thirds of the land is level, and the climate very dry. Many wild animals live upon the plains. The people raise sheep, goats, and horses, but not many cattle. On account of the warm climate the people live in tents made of haircloth. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.17
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. We have one organized company at Auli Ata, and another at Aschabad. They have called for help, and Brother J. Ebel, of the Caucasus, expects to go there this May. This field needs five or six workers at once; but we have neither the men nor the means. However, the Lord will provide both. GCB May 17, 1909, page 34.18
LITTLE RUSSIA
is composed of the governments of Poltawa, Podolia, Kief, Chernigof, and Kharkof, with a population of 17,000,000. The Middle Russian mission was too large, so this new division was made, and our church membership is 381. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.1
Little Russia is the former home of the Cossacks, and the people there have maintained to some extent their independent spirit. Cossack means “Men who are allowed by the king to make predatory excursions.” They were hired by the king to protect the country from the Tartars. The Tartars robbed the farmers, and the Cossacks robbed the Tartars. The peasant villages of Little Russia look quite different from those of Central Russia. The houses are not built in a long street, but are scattered irregularly about. They are whitewashed and surrounded by little gardens. Inside, the houses are clean, and the poverty is not so great as that of the Great Russians. They raise great fields of sugarbeets, and enough sugar is manufactured here to supply all Russia. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.2
We have a church of over sixty in the city of Kief. The city of Kharkof was entered last autumn, and many little country towns have heard the truth. In one country village we have a church of nearly two hundred members. They have not had a room large enough to hold their Sabbath meetings, but have been obliged to divide into groups to assemble in three or four different places. They have now decided to build a chapel. A lot has been deeded them by a man not of our faith. They asked the union for $150 to help them build the chapel, and the rest they will raise themselves. The Little Russian Mission has one ordained minister, two missionary nurses, one licentiate, and two missionary licentiates. We ought to have many workers to fill the calls that are coming in. When I visit these places, they take hold of me bodily and beg me to stay. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.3
THE NEED OF A SCHOOL AND A SANITARIUM
We are glad that we have had a few students in training at the school in Friedensau, Germany. Three have entered the work this year, but there are more urgent calls coming in than we can fill. Now is a very opportune time to work in Russia. We are becoming known even in the highest circles. Books are written against us; prizes are even offered for the best books written against the denomination. We ought to have many of our young people in training, and they themselves are longing for the opportunity to be in school. A school located in some good farming district, near a river, with a view of having a sanitarium established later on, would cost us about $25,000. This would buy a hundred and fifty acres of good land, and put up the necessary school buildings. We appeal to this conference not to put this matter off much longer. There is no country in the world where ministers, doctors, teachers, nurses, Bible workers, and canvassers are more appreciated than in Russia. Our needs are certainly great; but this is the cause of God, and it will soon triumph. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.4
The Caucasian Conference GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.5
H. J. Loebsack, the oldest minister in the Russian Union Conference and president of the Caucasian Conference, gave his report in German, Guy Dail acting as translator. He spoke as follows:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.6
I am sorry that I can not speak to you in the English language; but I have here a brother who will be a mouthpiece for me. When he is in Russia I am his mouth, and now he is my mouth. We understand each other well, and you understand us, too. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.7
The Caucasian Conference of Seventh-day Adventists sends to this General Conference its report and to you all brotherly greetings. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.8
The prophet Isaiah compares the spread of the work of the gospel to the lengthening of the cords, and the strengthening of the stakes, of the Oriental dwelling-tent. In Isaiah 54:9 he says: “For this is as the waters of Noah with me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not rebuke thee, nor be wroth with thee.” More than any other place in the world are these words significant to us in the Caucasus, because Noah’s ark rested in our territory. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.9
THE COUNTRY
The field of the Caucasian Conference includes the North and South Caucasus; with twelve governments and districts and twelve million inhabitants. The Caucasus is in the northern side, through the steppes of the Kalmucks, in the east through the Caspian, and in the west by the Black Sea, bounded on the south by Persia and Turkey. One hundred fifty mountain peaks are more than ten thousand feet high, and twenty mountains are more than twelve thousand feet high, and covered with everlasting snows. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.10
The history of the Caucasus is as old as the history of man since the flood. Its traditions reach back to the sons of Noah. In the days of the prophet Daniel, this province was very promising. Under Artaxerxes it was conquered by the Persians. The Grecians and Romans have left traces of their work here. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.11
Because of the high mountains and deep valleys, the climate is varied. The cedar and the pine are found here, there are many vineyards, and the olive-tree perfumes the air with its fragrance. This climate is suitable for all kinds of grains and fruits. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.12
It took fifty years to conquer the wild tribes inhabiting this region, and also about that much time in the mountains, which are almost inaccessible, to place order there, which even to-day is not very good. The waves of the revolution have also dashed themselves up against the Caucasian mountains, and they have made the lives of many, even to this day, uncertain. Indeed, in broad daylight, men are stolen away in Tiflis and Baku, and they are kept back among the mountains, awaiting a great ransom. The government does all that it can to bring about order, and has taken energetic steps to establish order among these peoples. From 1905 until the present martial law has been maintained for the protection of the citizens. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.13
THE BEGINNING OF OUR MESSAGE
The teaching of Bengel of Germany moved many people to emigrate to the east and to settle in the Caucasus district. Some of those who came from this district and later on to the United States, accepted the third angel’s message, and sent literature to their brethren in the home land. And they themselves went back to give this new light to their friends and relatives. In 1887, when Elder Conradi was present, it was possible to establish the first Seventh-day Adventist church in this field. In 1901 the Caucasian, then called the Southern Conference, was organized. In 1906, South Russia, and one year later the East Russian mission fields, were cut off as independent mission fields. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.14
TRANSCAUCASUS
In 1907 the work was begun in the large cities in Transcaucasus. The way was prepared through a socialistic family in 1905, in Noworossisk. The wife was the treasurer of a socialist party of three hundred members, and because of this the entire family was banished to Sotschy. Here the wife received a tract concerning the Sabbath. She accepted the truth; and became a very earnest member of our church after she returned to her home. As we organized the church last year, she was made treasurer and librarian. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.15
It is also interesting to note the beginning of the work in Sotschy, which is a health resort on the Baltic Sea. During the time of the insurrection, the people surrounded the house of a brother who lived there, and wanted to kill him. He hid a few days among the mountains, but he finally thought. “I will be more safe in the hands of the police than among these people who wish to do me harm.” So he took his Bible and went to the market-place and there he spoke to the people. Through this, the better classes of the people stood up for him, and they wanted to go against his enemies. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.16
All of them were arrested. His literature, among which was a Sabbath-school lesson quarterly about our relation to the government, was sent to the government with the minutes of this meeting. As a result of this Sabbath-school lesson about our relation to the authorities, he received his freedom, and his enemies were kept in prison. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.17
Since then we have been able to establish a Russian church in this place. As I visited them last summer, I went up into the light-house. As I entered, the director, who was an officer who had been wounded in the Russian-Japanese war, asked whether I was a representative of the advent doctrine for the Caucasus or for all Russia. Although secretly and inwardly he leaned more to the Mohammedans than to the Christians, yet he could recognize the utility of such a society as ours, and he could but admire our wonderful organization throughout the whole world. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.18
Before the war he was in the Hamburg and Rotterdam harbors, and saw our ship missionaries distribute books among the sailors. Some of his own sailors purchased our literature at that time. As I went into the light-house above, there lay an open Bible and a volume of our Russian paper, and also an open Sabbath-school lesson pamphlet. The watchman was an orthodox Greek Christian; and during the night he sought for spiritual light as he allowed the light of the light-house to shine our over the dark waters. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.19
Joseph Wolff proclaimed the second coming of Christ in Tiflis between 1821 and 1845. The Molokans expected that about the year 1833 Christ would come. We have worked among the Germans in this city for about a year and a half, and have organized a small church there. And now the truth is spreading among the Russians and the Lettonians. GCB May 17, 1909, page 35.20
Because of their religious convictions a number of Molokans were banished about sixty years ago from the innermost parts of the Russian empire to the Caucasus, where they had to suffer much from scorpions, heat, and robbers. Two Seventh-day Adventist families were also banished to this district in 1895. As did Paul, when he was a prisoner in Rome, so did they give the truth to those about them. At that time our tract concerning the Sabbath was printed upon thin paper, so we could send it in letters, at letter postage. Through this tract work, 150 of these Molokans began to keep the Sabbath. At first we knew nothing of them, and they had only a meager idea of us and our work. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.1
Once the Cossacks surrounded the meeting-house, and desired to search it for our publications; but our brethren knew of this beforehand, so they put all the tracts in a sack, and one brother took it openly before the watchman, and went by him into a barn, and left it there. When he again entered the barn, the chickens had scratched the things out of the sack, and the tracts were scattered all about the stalls, but they were all there and thus preserved. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.2
As during the Middle Ages, so it was with these believers. They scattered what little light they had, so that in a short time in two places, which were a great distance apart, people began to keep the Sabbath. One company lived near Kars. Before they had ever seen a Seventh-day Adventist, they sent us twenty dollars, and six months before they were received into our organization, after a visit of one of our Russian Bible workers, they sent their tithes and Sabbath-school gifts to the treasury of the conference. Last May we were able to baptize ten of these. Among the number is the first Armenian brother who was received as the result of Dr. Pampaian’s labors around Mount Ararat. Five other Armenians who kept the Sabbath could not be baptized at that time. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.3
The work among the Armenians is very hard. The people are poor, and often fanatical. One evening Dr. Pampaian’s dwelling was broken into, his surgical instruments were stolen or broken to pieces, and he had to take refuge with the Russian policemen. Because of the believers in this place, he did not attempt to receive pay from the government for the things which he had lost. He kept on working further. From Kars the railroad goes along to Nachitschewan. That means that “we have rested here for the first time.” According to local tradition, this city was built by Noah, and in a church-yard at this place they show us Noah’s tomb. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.4
From this place we go high up among the mountains, a distance of sixty miles, to the Molokan colony at Basartschai. Here dwell the 150 Sabbath-keepers. We can get to this place only three months in the year, because the rest of the time snow and water make traveling an impossibility. About fifty men had gathered together to give us a reception upon the streets of this village. The women and children were clothed as for a festival, and they stood upon the flat roofs of the houses to receive us. We received a very hearty reception, and the manner in which we were entertained reminded us of the manner in which Abraham received the angels. Indeed, when evening came, they asked the privilege of taking off our shoes, and every meal time we were invited to another family. We spent ten days here, and explained to them all our principles. We showed them how the Lord is assembling a people in all the earth from all nations, and making them one people, a people waiting for the coming of the Lord. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.5
Sabbath morning at seven o’clock we began worship with the singing of psalms, and we were not through until twelve o’clock noon. Thirty-one of the leading men and women of this place united in the church organized at this place. Later Brother Abel baptized and received forty-six more. It was so cold that as they stood in the water when he received the second candidate for baptism into the water, they had to take away the ice with their hands. But none of them wanted to wait until the next opportunity for baptism. From among these we have to-day eighty-six believers. I can never forget how thankful these people were for the light that was brought to them. Through us they sent their thanks and their greetings to their brethren throughout the whole world. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.6
These believers, as well as the Germans, the Cossacks, the Russians—the different churches in the Caucasus—have unshakable confidence in this message, and they are one with us in every point of doctrine. I have also received a letter from a missionary in Persia. He, with his church members, acknowledge the obligations of the Sabbath, and he asked us to visit them, that we might instruct them still further in this truth. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.7
Now we have in the Caucasus 12 German, 13 Russian, 3 Cossack, and 3 Molokan churches, with 820 members. We have 2 preachers, 3 licentiates, 2 Bible workers, 2 missionary colporteurs, and a canvasser. Last year our tithe was $2,217, other gifts making a total of $2,600. Last year we could, to the honor of our Lord, receive 204 members, and organize two German and three Molokan churches, also a Russian and a Cossack church. The work is the Lord’s, and we have resolved that through the help of God we will not lay down our weapons until the Lord himself shall say from heaven. “It is finished.” While we thank you for the prayers which you have offered for our support, we ask further that you will remember us at the throne of grace. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.8
The Holland and Flemish-Belgium Mission Field GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.9
In the absence of Elder R. G. Klingbeil, superintendent of the field, J. Wintzen, delegate from Holland, presented the following report:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.10
The members of the Holland and Flemish-Belgium mission field send their sincere greetings and best wishes for the blessing of God to the General Conference assembled. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.11
Our report comes from a field which can boast of no high mountains or great forests; for a great deal of this country is below the surface of the sea, as expressed in the name “Netherlands.” This beautiful little country has been the meeting-ground of two famous peace congresses, and at present the great Palace of Peace is under construction, and will be ready in 1910. We are glad to be laborers here for the advancement of the gospel of the soon-coming Prince of peace. While the area of our field is not large, yet we have nine million people to work for. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.12
Our staff consists of 8 laborers, and we have now about 250 members. In 1908 their tithe and offerings were $2,607.96. God has richly blessed our canvassing work. We have 29 canvassers, who, in 1908, sold books to the value of $6,059. Our Holland paper, Teekenen des Tijas, is published monthly, with an average of 7,000 copies. The Lord has richly blessed us, and the work has grown amid many difficulties. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.13
Surely the time has come when the work of God will go onward with great power, and we have all reason to believe that this will also be true of our field. We beg our brethren in America, South Africa, and the East Indies to do all in their power to use this paper among the many Hollanders in their territory. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.14
We want to assure you that all our brethren and sisters firmly believe in this third angel’s message, and are working to bring the message to their neighbors. May God hasten his work so that soon we shall be gathered to the heavenly home. For this all the brethren and sisters in the Holland and Flemish-Belgian mission field are praying. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.15
J. T. Boettcher: We have two more conferences to report, but have no more time this morning. But I would like to introduce to you one of our fellow workers who was one of the first imprisoned in Russia [calling Brother G. Perk to stand by Elder Conradi’s side]. He and Brother Conradi were imprisoned when the first church was organized in Russia in 1886. These men were in prison two years in Russia. Brother Perk is not at the present time working in Russia; he is working in Germany. Sometime we hope to secure him. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.16
O. A. Olsen: We will not have time to listen to further reports this morning, but I do think the Conference has had a real treat this forenoon, and it is certainly most marvelous as we consider God’s wonderful providences in that country. It is the third angel’s message that has made all this interesting history to which we have listened concerning all these countries, and I have been wonderfully impressed with the fact that this truth makes one people of all peoples on the earth, no matter what the conditions, language, or nation may be. GCB May 17, 1909, page 36.17
Meeting adjourned.
O. A. Olsen, Chairman,
W. A. Spicer, Secretary.