Evening star., 1917-09-13
RUSSIA B|GF|ELD
F0RCHURCH WORK
Seventh-Day Adventist Mis-
sionary Describes 0pportuni-
ties in New Republic.

That Russia offers today splendid
opportunity for work along industrial
and religious lines is a declaration of
Elder J. T. Boettcher of the Seventh
Day Adventist denomination, who has
lust returned to Takoma Park after
fourteen years in Russia as superin-
tendent of the missionary work of his
church. Elder Boettcher had his head
quarters in Riga.
While Car Nicholas was on the
throne Elder Boettcher had some eX-
citing experiences in connection with
his religious work because of the limi-
tations placed on those of different
convictions from those held by the
state church. He greatly rejoices that
religious liberty has come with the
overthrow of the cars government.
I'm 1914" said Elder Boettcher today,
''I was in Fladivostok, in the extreme
northern part of the country, and it
will give you some idea of the vast
ness of the realm when I tell you
was 5000 miles from home. The first
inkling we had of the war was the
mobilization and entraining of large
numbers of Cossacks, those wild cav
alrymen of the north of Russia. These
stalWart specimens of humanity little
realized the terrible thing that was
about to occur. When a few weeks
later l saw these same men returning
from the first great encounter with the
German army. dispirited. downcast
and misera BILE. they presented a sorry
spectacle, but they did not compare
with the refugees, principally Jewish.
who were to pass through this great
city on their way east. Our church
there was turned over to them as a
place of refuge, but they were forced
to spend many nights and days with no
other covering than the canopy of
heaven. About this time number of
our ministers were banished to the
land of Siberia, where they have been
those who have survived the extreme
rigorousness of that climate, with it's
loneliness and suffering--until the pres
ent revolution and Inauguration of the
kerensky regime which set them free.
1t is peculiar irony of fate which
has banished Gar Nicholas. the man
who caused most of the suffering of
the poor peasantry of Russia. to the
same place. But there is little COM
parison. as he took with him fifty
servants and almost a trainload of
baggage.
the country. the Russian people and
secret service. being extremely sus-
picious and fearing that I would carry
military secrets to the nations outside
of Russia. did not want to let me leave.
After long time they agreed to give
me my passports. but only on the con-
dition that I would go via the Trans
siberian railroad and across the Pa
cific home. We were allowed to take
500 rubles in money. This is the equiv
alent of $40 in American money. None
of this was to be in coin. as they will
not allow any metal money to leave
the realm.
1.-The Russian people are a people of
great simplicity. and they endure the
terrible suffering with fortitude
which is characteristic of the
Slavonic races. Long years of oppres
sion have made them animal1ike in
thei: indifference to their AFFECTION. I
believe the Russian people have great
er prospects before them than any
race of people in the world. AS yet
they are untouched by the pernicious
belief Of mans philosophy and receive
Bible truths with great readiness
1--WE hope greater things for the
future Of Russia. with its lately ac-
quired freedom of speech and press.
The Russian people are fond Of simple