Frederick W. Baedeker (1823-1906) Bibles to Russia

Frederick W. Baedeker life changed dramatically for him and his second wife Harriet, in 1866 following a Brethren meeting held in Western-super- Mare lead by Lord Radstock. He was 42/3 years of age.

Frederick reluctantly attended a meeting in the Assembly Rooms. For the first few meeting he attended he managed to slip away. The day came when the preacher ‘caught’ him. Lord Radstock laid his hand on his shoulder and said , My man, God has a message through me for you tonight. Frederick and his wife left the meeting converted.

He was introduced to the Brethren net work. He spent a year with George Muller in Bristol. Soon after his conversion he began to preach. he was invited to conduct his own evangelistic tour.

Lord Radstock introduced him to his life’s work in Russia.
Frederick began by evangelising the aristocracy mixing with princesses, counts and barons. generals and ambassadors. Meetings were held in noble households. He stayed with Princess Nathalie Lieven. The palatial country homes of the nobility were open to Frederick, Harriet and adopted daughter.
This kept him occupied between 1875 and 1887.

For the next 18 years he preached to prisoners. His first epic trip, covering 1000s of kilometers, took him across Russia and Siberia… Through the influence of an unnamed countess he obtained a special command from the director of prisons to visit prisons and hand out Holy scriptures. He had a renewable 2 year permit, with enlarged privileges which gave him permission to visit prisoners in their cells. To reach these prisons he travelled by boat and by tarantass - an old fashioned coach.

Frederick seemed to be able to communicate with the prisoners as well as he had the nobility.* He was moved by a compelling desire to proclaim Christ to Russians, whether they were in a prison house or in an aristocrat’s reading room.

• Harold Rowdon

Sources used *Ambassadors for Christ * contribution by Harold Rowdon
Gospel Hall Biography 65