Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-29

temple. She was surrounded by ad-
herents who had faith in her super.
natural wisdom. She harangued the
mob. She was dressed in a wild,
fantastic attire-a woman with fair
but strangely painted features. In
one uplifted hand she held a crucifx
surmounting a white wand.
"Oh, my peopler' she exclaimed, in
a loud and solemn voice, 81 have come
from far provinces to save you-not
merely from this deadly scourge, but
from otlIer consequences of your sins
against heaven. Kneel not, but rise
and calmly listen"
"Great Olinska, what shall we do ?"
asked one of the foremost, clinging
reverently to the hem of her flowing
mantle. 'We have heard of your
miracles ard prophecies in other prov
inces, and will do as you command
u.s."
I "Hurl Gown that impudent and
senseless deceit !" she replied, point
ing to the Inscription in Arabic.
"Wheref0re ?" cried many, horri-
fed at the order.
"They are nothing but the idle
words of a captive, an infdel, vile
slave of Musselman. He would
have you waste your time in unmean-
ing worship. He would have you per-
ish while you pray. Act for your
selves, but not as idolaters."
"What can we do p cried the mob.
"Obey the directions of your en-
press and the advice of the mighty
Prince Orloff. What else should rea-
son and loyalty prompt you to do?
Purify your bodies, your garments,
your dwellings,, and your Streets
Your sovereign mother and mistress,
the allpotent Catherine, has CON-
manded you to do this, but you have
chosen 10 disregard her. You would
prefer to butcher your own country
men and die by the plague, and dy
ing, pay homage to the cheating words
of Turk. Tear down the blasphem-
Gus sign. Christians of Muscovy |!
trample in the dust the lying words
of the tfeacherous Ottoman, who, as
he sees you perish, rejoices p
ayes, yes, down with it p now cried
many.
But this proceeding was consider
ed by others as an offense to heaven,
and was opposed. Still the believers
in the enchantress prevailed, and af-
ter much commotion the golden let
tiers were torn from their conspicuous
position and hurled into the street,
Many who yet believed in them strug-
gled lu gain possession of the frag-
ments. When successful in so doing
they hurried away, kissing them in
frantic idOiatry.
Some fell in the act of pressing
them to their lips, for they were over
taken by the plague. Others in turn
snatched the pieces from their spot
ted hands, deeming that the mystic,
glittering relics would save them from
the ail-dreaded destroyer.
"Seize the enchantress Make way
for the soldiers Of her majesty the en-
press y was at this moment the setnto-
rian command of the captain Of a
troop of horse.
He had been dispatched from a cit
adel to arrest Olinska. She had been
represented as intending by her acts
to overthrow the power of the en-
press, and as melting the distracted
populace to sedition.
The stubborn masses became infu-
rated al the arrival of the troops
Their religious frenzies were aroused
They believed that Olinska must be
an agent of the Most High. And now,
with united and discordant yells, they
threw themselves like waves of the
sea upon the soldiers. Many were
borne from their horses and slain or
trampled to death by the insane mob.
The steeds, atfrighted by the deaf
ening cries, became unmanageable,
and the cavalry fed in terror and con-
fusion.
At this juncture the loud, melodi-
Gus voice Of Olinska was heard again ::
"Now, my people, my good Rus
SLAMS, to your homes and do as |, as
Catherine, as Orloff, have enjoined
you. Become cleanly in body and
soul, and God will listen to your
prayers. Let those who would Ell
ther molest or disobey me, let them
tremble, for greater curse than the
plague will befall them. | will ap-
pear again to you ere long. Home,
good people, home,p
The multitude obeyed. And after
traversing several streets repeating
her injunctions, Olinska suddenly dis
appeared from the view of the scat
tering throngs.
"We are forbidden by the enchant-
ress to worship the inscription of the
infdel," was now the saying of many !;
"but at the Carvartskoi gate is the
picture of the Mother of God. We
have neglected our duties to our
faith. Let US go thither. Let US 60 I"
In that superstitious belief which
requires something visible to adore,
and resolved to worship something,
the masses of Moscow now FASTENED
to the public picture of st. Mary,
where a mercenary enthusiast was
levying aims while pointing to the
representation of the Virgin Mother.
| The result of this ill-timed devo-
tion was such a neglect of what they
should have done in a sanitary way,
that the Archbishop Ambrose, then
Primate of Moscow, on the second
night sent soldiers who seized the pic.
ture to bear it away.
| The mob were indignant at this i'm
agined sacrilege, and denoucccd the
j good archbishop as hereto. The
troops were driven away, the church
bells were rung, all Moscow was
aronsed. the intended crime nroelaim.