Eastern European Baptist History: New Perspectives, 2007

ol. 46 (September 1892), pp. 267-8; vol. 47 (January 1893), pp. 20-21. 67 Executive Council Minutes, 14 July 1892; 30 November 1893. 68 Executive Council Minutes, 10 April 1890; EC, vol. 46 (September 1892), pp. 267-268; vol. 47 (January 1893), pp. 20-21. ® EC, vol. 48 (January 1894), pp. 31-2; Executive Council Minutes, 18 May 1893. ” Executive Council Minutes, 12 September 1895; cf. Jordan, The Evangelical Alliance, pp. 116-117. > 7! Executive Council Minutes, 13 December 1894; 13 June 1895. ” EC, vol. 48 (September 1894), p. 279. 30 Baedeker’s own interpreter had his home searched and papers seized and the British Alliance's Executive Council agreed to help him to move to Romania for safety. A number of Russian Baptists settled in Constanta, Romania.” . The final activity of the 1890s was, again, public protest about persecu- tion. In 1892 the British Alliance decided that a further effort was needed, and it asked the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Presidents of the Meth- odist Conferences, the Moderators of the Presbyterian Churches, and the Chairmen of the Congregational and Baptist Unions to join with Evan- gelical Alliances in different countries in making representations to the Russian Orthodox Church about the persecution of dissenters.”* There was some delay since - to the annoyance of the British - the Americans lost the document with signatures on it, but after a year of intermittent activity, a document was signed by 123 church leaders from all the main Protestant denominations. It was translated into Russian by Pashkov and in March 1893 was sent to Orthodox Church leaders.” There was no reply — two years later there was reference to the fact that still no reply had been received’”® - and some Alliance members pressed for further action. In July 1893 the Executive Council of the Alliance heard from A.J. Arnold that he had talked to Athelstan Riley, a well known High Church Anglican layman and a friend of Pobedonostsev, and had asked Riley if it was worth going to St Petersburg to make representations on behalf of evangelicals. Riley’s view was that any visit would fail.” In 1894, however, Alexander III died, and there was much discussion at the January 1895 Alliance Executive about whether to send an international delegation to see the new Tsar, Nicholas II. Baedeker was in favour, but Radstock and others strongly disagreed. Quiet diplomacy was the preferred route.”* Baedeker, however, was not to be deterred, and a public meeting in London was held at which he and Miss von Kirchner, a Russian Baptist, spoke about Russian developments.” By this time Baedeker was in close contact with rising Russian evangelical leader Ivan S. Prokhanov (later the 7 Executive Council Minutes, 14 June 1894; 21 October 1897. ™ Executive Council Minutes, 18 February 1892; 21 April 1892. ” Executive Council Minutes, 15 December 1892; 9 February 1893; 9 March 1893; 11 April 1893. 76 EC, vol.