Journal of European Baptist Studies, 2007

r’ job. Talking to people - what job is that? According to the Lutheran work ethic, as it was understood at the beginning of the twentieth century in Estonia, this was neither spiritual (pastoral) work nor a fulfilment of one’s ‘earthly’ tasks. In addition to being an evangelist and Sunday School teacher, Bertelson had an opportunity to engage in more formal theological education. In autumn 1913 she visited Orebro Mission Bible School in Sweden and after this visit she undertook several evangelistic trips in Estonia and Russia. 19 In 1914, Bertelson applied to the Orebro Mission Bible School and studied there for three years. From her time in Orebro a writing book has survived, which helps us to understand which subjects she studied in the Bible school: English, German, biblical exegesis, preaching, practical evangelism, management, and others. The curriculum was designed to keep in mind the basic knowledge and skills which were 90 necessary for missionary work. Emilie Bertelson finished the school in 1917 and applied for missionary work in Russia. The Committee of Foreign 14 Mihkel Uusmann, Harald-Viktor Dahl, Tallinna I Bciptisti koguduse ajalugu 1884-1941, p. 91. 15 H.V. Dahl, ‘Olemasolu lopetanud kogudusi’, p. 93. 16 E.J. Dahl, Emilie Bertelsoni elu ja Mustvee toopold, p. 3. 17 Mustvee Baptistikoguduse Liikmeraamat, 1936, p. 1. 18 Selma Sarapuu, oral information, 01.05.1999. 19 Angelin, Ett ‘Ebeneser ’, p. 6. 20 Emilie Bertelson, Bibelstydeum i I och Ilklass [Bible studies in I and II class], (Manuscript, 1914). The original document is owned by Mustvee Baptist Church. ‘She Worked Like a Man’ 9 Missions of the Swedish Missionary Association did not make hasty decisions. It sent her for one semester to Stockholm Bethel Seminary to complete her education for missionary work. In March 1918 she was accepted and approved as a missionary for Russia. 21 Knowledge of foreign languages was an important tool for Bertelson in her future ministry. She was already fluent in Estonian, Russian and Swedish. The approximately 300 inhabitants of Naissaare were bilingual, speaking both Swedish and Estonian; around ten per cent of the island’s population were unable to speak Swedish 22 and Naissaare Baptist Church held their services in Estonian. - Bertelson learned Russian because in 1885 Russification began in Estonia. 24 In the 1890s, when she went to the village school in Eeskiila, the centre of Naissaare, Russian was still well represented in the school curriculum and in official paperwork in society, though there were signs in the wider culture that Russification was losing its grip. Later the knowledge of Russian became important in her work with Russians in Russia and in Estonia. In addition, according to Ilmar and Kethe Kurg, who lived with Emilie Bertelson for seven years until her death in 1965, Bertelson also spoke fluent English and German. - This opened up to her a wider selection of C