Eastern European Baptist History: New Perspectives, 2007

1882.*1 Even when public preaching was forbidden, Pashkovite ladies invited poor women to meet in their homes to sew and complete various handicrafts. The sewing and hand- work done at these events, however, comprised only a small portion of the overall business. The majority of piecework was completed at home. Partic- ipants picked up prepared material at the evening gatherings, returning the work they had completed the previous week, for which they immediately received fair payment. The Pashkovite women arranged social events for '® Pobedonostsev, “Vypiska iz konfidentsial’nogo otnosheniia Ober-Prokurora Sviateishego Sinoda k Ministru Vnutrennykh Del ot 22 aprelia 1882 g. za no. 81’, in Svedeniia, p. 8. '? DI. Bogoliubov, Kto eto Pashkovtsy, Baptisty i Adventisty? (St Petersburg, 1912), p. 29. *” Lieven, Eine Saat, 39-40; Untitled document beginning “In 1883 Mr Almanovsky” in copybook “No. 2”; Dalton, “Recent Evangelical Movements in Russia’, p. 114. 21 McCarthy, Religious Conflict and Social Order, p. 133. 59 —— e_ the participants in the programme, especially at Easter and Christmastime, in which women and children were fed, entertained and introduced to the Word of God. The society ladies were also responsible for regular visitation of the women from their groups at home.” To sell the completed sewing and crafts, Princess Natalie Lieven held an annual bazaar in her palace. Buyers came from all levels of society, high society friends and acquaintances, as well as complete strangers. After a few years, however, this yearly bazaar was closed, as small pieces of mala- chite began to disappear from the Corinthian columns in the luxurious malachite hall. Other opportunities were found for the distribution of the womens handiwork, including a small shop, which became popular among well-to-do women who made purchases especially at Christmastime for charity purposes. The two Pashkovite salesladies became missionaries in their own store, at times asking their rich customers if they, too, belonged to the Saviour. While not all appreciated such direct questions, some customers were moved by the concern. It is reported that some even visited the shop especially when in need of comfort or admonition.” Dr Karl von Mayer [fon Maier], the founder and head doctor of the St Petersburg Evangelical Hospital, oversaw financial matters associated with these sewing circles. He was a close friend of the Korff family, and also preached at various Pashkovite gatherings, where he was loved and revered by the people. Princess Gagarina later recalled her amazement at the doctor's patience. The society women he worked with, in the words of Sophie Lieven, were not typical pious Baptist women: With noble dispositions and warm hearts, these lively and eccentric women had genuinely turned to the Lord. However, at that time they still lacked in the area of holiness. One friendly, yet naive,... the other clever and r