The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-27
RUSSIAN PLEADS
FOR HIS COUNTRY
Asks Help in Work of Evangeli-
cation Conducted Under
Difficulties.
FACES TRIAL AT HIS HOME
Is Out on Bail-Big Rich
mond Audience Hears
Him.

Unusual and touching in the ex-
IRENE was the appeal made by Pastor
w. Fetler. superintendent of the Rus
san Evangelization Society. of st.
Petersburg. for aid In his work in the
Russian capital. before a large gather
ing at the First Baptist Church last
evening.
The speaker was to have shared the
pulpit. with Rev. Robert S. MacAr-
thur, D. D.. Of New York, but mes
sage to Rev. George w. Mcdaniel, OF
the First Baptist Church. late yester-
day afternoon, brought the informa-
ton that 1t would be Impossible for
MIN to be present. The pastor ex-
pressed regret at the inability of Dr.
Macarthur to come, a loss which, ne
sid. would be almost gain since
1t would permit Mr.. Fetler to make
longer talk and give better &C
count OF the work in Russia.
Outlines Condition.
Mr.. Fetler began by giving a short
sketch of the important work of evan
gelization that re has undertaken in
The Russian capital--a work which
was started only four years ago. A
Russian by birth. and educated in
England. the speaker possesses an
enunciatton peculiar for its odd into
nations and trilled RS, although his
sentence structure. for one not born
Into the language, is remarkably pure
and vigorous.
He apparently inherits the Russian
sptness for learning foreign tongues,
his knowledge Of the English Ian
guage. according TO his statement.
having been acquired during his four
years' residence in London az a stu
dent at one OF the colleges His
speech was punctuated throughout
with the eloquent gestures so char
acteristic OF intense Europeans, and
held the closest attention OF the au-
e!ence throughout the address, which
lasted more than an hour and a half.
The struggle he is ha ing in snread-
Ing the evangelical faith in Russia.
as Is apparent from his statements. Is
hard one. All tho forces of m.
government and organized Greek Cath
pose him Although the freedom man
pose him. Although the freedom man
ifesto OF 1905 inaugurated free speech.
freedom OF the press and liberty of
conscience every pettJ scheme. said
Mr.. Fetler is being invoked by on.
cialdom and vested church interests
TO oppose the entry OF new thought
and progress.
Big Opportunity in Russia.
don't believe" said the speaker.
that there has ever been in tho
whole history OF the world a country
eAIHer IN extent OF territory or in
NUMBERS SO ready for the introduc-
non OF the evangelical gospel as Rus
sia Ia to-day. The country hungers
for IL With a population OF $50 600
600 people, the empire has to-day not
single school or college for the
instruction OF children of parents OF
the Protestant Path. There is not a
single Baptist Church or chapel In
III" whole country
The Grek Cathon. Church Is the
church OF the state. Lct IL retains It's
hold only on the ignoraz> masses The
Intelligent and thinking classes have
broken away from It. S>n't think
that I would be exaggerating e ] said
that s5 per cent. OF the processes and
students in the Russian universities
are secretly, II not avowedly atheists
material!sts, or. what Is stu worse
disciples Of Count Leo Tolstoi.
Visit TO Tolstoi.
Those outside OF Russia cannot
realize to what an extent the per
nicious doctrines OF Tolstoi have taken
hold Of the students. The blood OF
Jesus Is a fable ne lis said to hava
declared on one occasion went To
see him at his home shortly before
his death with an idea. hoping against
hope. OF influencing him, In my hum
BILE way, toward a better convention
long time, and what do you think he
SAID to me when I was through. Pas
tor Fetler he said. If a man would
come to me and tell me that Jesus
Christ had just riser in my garden l
wouldn't take the trouble to go and
look at Him This is the man whose
teachlnss nave attained such fol-
lowing"
MI Fetler told of the pressing need
OF Baptist Church in st. Petersburg.
AZ present meetings are held In rented
halls, and these are rapidly being
closed to him by the simple expedient
OF demanding prohibitive rents. Al.
thouSh services are now conducted in
twelve places In the Russian capttal.
these are inadequate to hold the crowds
winch clamor for admittance. In tho
FOUR years of his mission to the Rus
Sian people. the pastor related more
than 400 converts to the Baptist faith
nave been made. and more than 1900
regularly attend services. These mr..
recruited from all classes, rich and