Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-12-05


50 far a the example was seen and felt. The
mass Of the population declared boldly the
reason for the faith that was in them. and 1t
was the given one that that religion must
be good which IS adopted ~ the Prince and
the boyards.'
Beyond the influence of the imperial pow
or. there are many who chung to their pagan
Ism, and in their more inaccessible districts.
the old system continued TO the twelfth cen
tury. more than two hundred year, after the
Greek had become the government religion.
Such was the introduction OF the prevailing
faith in Russia. 1t was almost the work of
one man of a gigantic power of mind,-
great in war, great in peace man whose
different traits of character were at the anti
podcs. but who in all his extremes was a mas
ter-spirt. With the Greek religion came
Greek churches, palaces, and Grecian style
of architecture throughout. The religion of
that day remains in form as it was,-imprOv-
cd, perhaps. in its character, but not essenti-
ally modified. The clergy have, and have
had from the commencement. immense pow
or. In the countless revolutions of Russia,
the clergy have generally escaped unscath-
cd. When the state had been losing power,
often they have been gaining power. In CT
vii discussions it has been the mcdiating pow
er, and in all foreign aggressions its counsel
has been asked and granted. The power of
the priesthood is not as great rs it was, for
there was time when the primatc here held
a more magnificent court than the prince,
with power next to the omnipotent over the
lives of the people; when the monks of the
Greek church inhabited fortified dwellings,
and even more than the prince and mobiles
were supported by the revenues OF the state.
/ The primate then instituted the public cerc-
monies. and the priests stood by as hls ser
wants, holding the bride of his ass. The
cowl was the badge of honor, and the prime
cs of the realm became priests. to increase
their power and magnitlccncc. 1t was the
aid of this powerful monopoly that the tartars
sought, when they invaded Russia. Gold was
showcrcd upon the clergy of the Greek
church like rain-drops, but with no other eff
feet than to make the givcrs the more dospis-
cd and opposed by the receivers. The favor
of the Tartan Pagans was rightly deemed
such as vulturcs give TO lambs. twas the
idolatry the Russians had renounced on the
one hand, or an intolerance worse than Pa
ganism on the other, and between two such
enemies they gave the Tartar gold to the cof-
fers of the government treasury to resist the
Tartar invasion. This bright spot in
the dark history Of the Church OF Russia. II
is hard to find any other voluntarily taken.
When Peter the Great contemplated needed
ecclesiastical reforms, the clergy were his OPP
poscrs. When he sought to cnlightcn n pco-
pie even now more ignorant, ] should think,
than almost any others upon the face OF the
4 globe, the clergy were against him. and in
! almast all the wholesome reforms which have
tlkcn place for the last century and half.
they seem to have had neither part nor lot i'll
the matter.
4 The Burman Priesthood are divided into
two classes. monastic and secular, and each
with peculiar powers. The monastic clergy
can alone fill the higher offices in the hicrar-
chy, and before entering upon any service
connected with that vocation. they take upon
themselves the vow of cclbacy. Not so with
the secular clergy. Marriage with them is a
part of the church creed, and the marriage
must take place before the administration OF
any part of the lay orders. MI marriages
beyond the first, are. however, strictly forbid
den. and all promotion after the original or
dination Is impossible. Another peculiarly
of the church government here requires that
ii thc. wife OF deacon die before the huS-
band has gone through the prclim nary SER
vices necessary for his admission, he must
then give up all hope OF entering the church.
The Roman Priests are easily distinguished
from the multitude around them. Those OF
the monastic order wear long black robes
and high conical cap. with leaf or veil OF
the same sombrc color. The secular Priests
usually are seen folded in cloaks of dark
color. and low crowned hats, having brin
of more than Quaker brcadth-a beard OF
Al. t.lt
head of hair that would make a BARRIERS scis-
sors laugh outright. are additional appcndag-
f cs to these pticstly vestments. The appear
ance OF neither the monastic secular cler-
d. " is preposscssing to a stranger. lou see
neither gravity or chccrfulncss upon their
, countcnanccs and frequently more signs ol
cupidity than vitality. Nevertheless, some O.
, the monastic clergy have the reputation Of
being men of learning as well rs devout and
, honest observers of their peculiar faith. Nc
f one would doubt that some of the stoical and
, rigid faces YOU may see everywhere in Rus
: sia among the priesthood, indicate a heart
and mind tutorcd TO the severe discipline o
their creed. There are. it is said also. smil
, ing faces among these men whose object i
/ should be to impart checriuness as well a.
seriousness of character to those whom they
teaCh out OF TIC HuhuiSu> VI P'.N'N' '''''
I seen in Russia, and sometimes have seer
1 twenty at n time. remember not one happ,
e or contcnted face.
' The religious festivals in the Russian
n Church seem to be even morc!numerous thar
i the Lutheran or Catholic, and all such day
a seem to be observed with far more ceremo
# nv. The Saints number little legion an'
e the days of fasting, partial or entire whicl
@ the poor and humble alone arc faithful to oh
snrre number n good norton of the DAYS @