IN RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18348, 3 April 1925, Page 13

IN RUSSIA.

COUNTESS YASNOVSKY'S

ADDRESS,

Countess Maria Nikolaycona Yasnovaky, who is at present visiting Christchurch, gave a most interesting address to a well-at-tended gathering of women -in the Hall of Oxford terrace Baptist Church yesterday afternoon. Madams Yasnovsky is travelling in the interests of tho Russian Missionary Society, with which she has been associated since its foundation. She wa6 introduced to the audience by Sister Grace, who presided, aEd who epoko a few words of welcome on behalf ol the missionary workers in Uhnstchurcli.

"The Keligious Awakening in the Land of the Old Czars" was the subject taken for Uic atternoon, and, after thanking the people for their warm welcome, Maaainc spoke ct the work carried out by missionaries ir. Russia. She referred to the splendid religious work, done by the late Lord Radstocic and how eome few years ago it was considered wrong for the people to break away from the religion which was believed to be right, but which was__really lack of knowledge of the true' Gospel. She apoko of the difficulties the missionaries had in holding their services and of how they used to gather in the home of Princess Licven and Princess Gagarin in Petrograd, and would come and go to the honce enc by one, 60 as not to attract the attention cf the authorities, who were s;> drastic in their treatment to those people who were anxious to help their fellow citizens fo learn of the true religion. In 1205 the growing number of Christians had so increased that more lfberty was allowed the missionaries, and they were then able to carry out taeir work more satisfactorily. In 1907 Pastor William Fetler, who had finished hi 3 studies in England and whose first intention was to (lo missionary work in China, had gone to jflv&sia and earned out splendid work. She has assisted him for many years before the a.ctual formation of the society. Mr Fetler founded the first Baptist Church in Russia. The. call for missionary help was amazing,, and at the present time tier© were about" l."0 missionaries, hut their wish was to have flbout five times that number to carry out the woTk. The Rursians. as soon as they understood missionary work, were p.ll rncst . anxious to help others. A society has been

formed iu New Zealand o ««ist particular minion, and Dr. .North, of had consented to be treasurer, and iLs Driver, also cf Dunedin, had been chosen a-s sccretarv. ~ , . ~„ Madame closed her address by thanking the peoi-le present for their kindly sympa.li>, and'hoped they would give every wsaiaacs tbev could to thi? wcr.deroil wor »- Mrs In-old thanked Mudame for her most interesting address, and said how pleased thev were to meet and hear someone d.rect from Russia, and how inspiring it was to hear of the stalwart Christianity exhibited in Russia by tho3C working in the mission fields.