The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-09-25
"A New Set Of Religious Fanatics in
1kMssia--Tarlnr Revenge.

Russian sects appear to be little less thaa q
vast religious disease. No sooner has the fan
atheism of SkOpzen been unearthed and the lead
ers of the body punished, than other sects spring
up, almost exceling the former in the extent to
which human nature can be debased. CORES.
pondent of the Vienna Neue Freie Presse now
sends an account of a new religious fanatcal
body, whose dogmas and practices, though of a
less dangerous character than those OF Skopzen,
are still sad picture Of the religious life OF the
interior of Russia. The members of this new
sect are called "Springers," and their worship
shows itself in violent paroxysms, which leads
to mystical dancing and vehement self-castiga-
tions. Therefore the name "Springers" or
jumpers.
The chief prophet of the sect is a rich old
peasant of the government of Tambof. The
fame of this saint has spread as far as the gov
eminent of Saratov; and pilgrims in great num-
bers wsnd their way thence to the village of
Uwarowo, the home of the prophet. Among a
a late batch of new converts were very many
young woman who made the journey. As these
were returning home again, there being twelve
wagon loads of them they all fell into state of
ecstacy, between which condition and insanity
there is no appreciate difference, when they
stripped themselves of their garments, and be.
gan IL real witch-sabhath of fiagellating orgies.
One male member OF the party declared himself
to be Jesus Christ and female impersonated
st. Barbara. The religious passion led to severe
injuries being committed by the members upon
each other.
The fsnaticism went SO far, indeed, that final
ly one woman was executed as human sacrifice,
though it was quite voluntary on her part she
being just as fanatically excited the rest. She
was bound fast to spoke of wheel, when the
wagon was driven on, the wheel passing ever
her until the body was transformed into per-
feet jelly. The mort active of the party were
the two who personifed Christ and Saint Barba.
ra. When the returning band reached the vii
lage of Pestchanka, in the district of Balaschou,
government Ssratov, the civil authorities stopped
its further progress, and an investigation into
their actions was ordered. Whatever new may
now be revealed about their actions can hardly
he surprising, after what has been revealed in
the many similar acts which have of late been
discovered.
Mr.. Dickson in his intended journeyings in
Russia, might do some service to the world by
applying his powers to the description of the
Russian sects, and their peculiar fanatical beliefs
and practices.
The Russian journals also contain accounts of
fearful revenge taken by colony OF Tartars,
which forms an excellent supplement to the
above narrative. This colony are Musselmans
AiV'hS hC"i Duit", w cStcHu Ituosios Ouc VI
them had daughter Of extraordinary beauty,
whom rich Russian nobleman of the neighbor-
hood CHANGED to see, and Immediately fell in
love with. She returned his affection, and con-
cluded to secretly leave her friends, follow her
lover, be baptised into the Greek Orthodox
church, and become his wife. The fight began
successfully but the two had hardly got ten
miles away from the village and entered little
wood, before they were surprised by hearing
frightful yells behind them. 1t was the Tartars,
who Were in pursuit of them. The Russian,
who was armed with good carbine, took up his
position behind tree, and challenged his perss-
cutors to come on. Two of them advanced, but
being wounded. the whole party drew back for
deliberation. They then began to collect dry
wood together with which they set the forest in
flames. The two lovers met sad end On the
following morning they were found in each
others embrace, having been suffocatcd by the
smoke. The perpetrators Of this horrible re-
venge boast openly Of it. and say, in palliation,
that had the maiden become Christian the
whole village would have been dishonored.