The Baptists in Russia. INCREASED PERSECUTION. I thirty brethren send sisters are already in prison. In the department IN Russia the persecution not only continues, but increases. At Kiew, of Cherson, where, until within a few weeks, religious liberty was enjoyed, the pastor Rabolscabka has been banished to Siberia, everyone attending the services has been fined fifteen roubles, and the meetings are forbidden for the future. Their chapel, the only one which has at present been built in Russia, and towards the erection of which the German churches contributed, has been closed by the Government seal. Oh, cease not to pray to the Lord, that He may grant a double portion of His Spirit to these His people, that they may bear their trials with faith and patience, and at last come off more than conquerors: that they may ere long be set free, and that the glorious Gospel may be preached again freely amongst the Russians. In Poland the churches enjoy liberty and peace, and the conversions are numerous. The prayers of the Polish brethren for more labourers in the vineyard have been answered in an unusual measure, and twelve brethren have been sent thither prepared to preach the Gospel and devote their whole time to missionary work, of whom nine are already settled and at work. The Polish churches were before this doing more than others for the support of their own missionaries, and the sacrifices they have to make to provide so many even with bread and absolute necessaries, are very great indeed. We would, therefore, urge upon Christian friends the need for some contributions to assist this interesting mission. The sufferings of persecution which the Polish brethren so long and so faithfully endured, are now at an end-we trust for ever. We hope that those whose prayer and contributions alleviated the sufferings of the Polish martyrs will not be slack now in saving them from want and privation, and enabling them to carry on this work of the Lord, now that the door is open before them. Mr. Alf, whose name will be well remembered as amongst those who suffered persecution for the Gospel's sake, is now quite overdone with mission work and the care of the churches. Pecuniary help for the labouring brethren will greatly lessen his cares and anxieties. An anonymous friend of the mission writes as follows: : "I would earnestly beg help for the Polish missionaries, and I do so the more readily as I have myself for years sent annually for the help of the mission in Russia and Poland more than I have retained for the use of myself and my family. The Lord requires us to give up all for Him, and to live, not unto ourselves but unto Him who has died for us. If we would be His disciples we must do His will, and that will is, that we should love our neighbour as ourselves, and therefore should work and earn money, not for ourselves only, but for our neighbours. Our neighbours in Poland stand greatly in need of help; the people truly sit in darkness and the shadow of death, and only the Gospel can lift them into light and life." If, like your Saviour, you have "compassion on the multitude," who are as sheep having no shepherd," you will readily respond to the call to send this Gospel into their midst. We are commanded to preach the Gospel, therefore also to them in Poland, and you, if you are His children, are called by Him either to preach the Gospel in Poland yourselves, or to send bread to those who do it for you; and if we do not warn our fellow-sinners of the error and danger of their ways, God will require their blood at our hands. Enter, then, with earnestness on the work, and do not grudge the means which God has placed in your hands; and may He crown your efforts with His blessing, and send out many labourers into His vineyard, that in all places His Gospel may be made known.-Reporter German Baptist Mission. News of the Churches. INVITATIONS ACCEPTED. Bonner, Rev. H. (Rawdon College), Rotherham. Newton, Rev. F. H. (West Bromwich), Hartlepool. Owen, Rev. L., Tarbach, Glamorganshire, November 2nd. Soule, Rev. I. M., Battersea, November 8th. Aged 67. Thomas, Rev. G., late Classical Tutor of Pontypool, November 8th. |