There were fewer than 50 Kingdom publishers in the entire country at the time. Still, in order to get some legal footing, the brothers applied for registration. Imagine how thrilled they were when on March 14, 1933, the International Bible Students Association was officially registered! Although they did not receive permission to import Bible literature, the brothers took advantage of their legal status to have some booklets printed locally. Translation into Latvian was done by the acclaimed writer and editor in chief of the Rīts newspaper, Aleksandrs Grīns.

REGISTRATION IS SHORT-LIVED

A coup d’état in May 1934 led to the imposition of martial law. Exploiting the political volatility, enemies of the truth accused God’s people of being Communists. On June 30, the minister of the interior closed down the office of the International Bible Students Association and confiscated over 40,000 books and booklets along with a small amount of cash. Clergymen were appointed liquidators! Applications to reregister were rejected.