, 1875-07-04

] AA y, AoAAAC4 a4kAE4t LII HE We CAV
our readers general notion OF the Raskol 0
schism in the Russian Church we showed ho,
it had its origin in opposition to the liturgics
reforms of the Patriarch Nikone, and wa
strengthened by the opposition taised TO th,
I political changes introduced By Peter the Great
Since the article just referred to Was written
u. Anatole Leroy Beauieu has published
another paper on the Russian aects,-the
Popovtsy and Bezpopovtsy, ,-or the two branches
Of the Rasko1. The difference between tha
two branches ia this: The former recognize =
clergy, recusants from the Orthodox Church sho
latter recognize no clergy whatever.
| 1t has been found adif6cult matter to ASCERTAIN
[ the aggregate number OF adherents ct theso two
sects. The official statistics give the number 1t
about l.1oo.o00- But these figures are not re-
ceived by the most competent judges ~ in any uay
| reliable; and thero are those who claim that the
number Of ths RaskoInika reaches as high AZ
IT, 100, 600. The truth is however; that not even
the chiefs Of the Raskolnks themselves ara
Informed as to their numbers, It seems to be-
certain that the official figures are altogether
too small. 1t embraces only profesaed Rasko}
niks. But there ia n numerous class OF Rasko1-
niks inscribed among the Orthodox and auo:her
numerous class who are Raskolniks in Disguise
and whom shame or fear deters from appearing
in their true colors. N. Beaulieu considers it
most probable that the real number Of Raskol-
niks is between 5000 600 and 5000, 900.
Tho number Of tho Raakolnlka is no criterion
Of its influence. It's force lies in the sympathy
Of the namhera who do not openly profess
1t. The Raskol Is very highly respected in some
things, and lts Qaambers are not looked upon By
the masses Of the Orthodox a. rebels and
heretlcs; on tho contrary, they ara considered,
even By many OF those Who do not believe %
they do, III tue most Jealous and devout Of Chris
iana, not unlike the early Christians ia character
Or IN the perseeutions they are made to endure. |
species Of suspicion Turks among th, 1nasses I
Of the people in many quartara that the haako1-
niks are Alone in the right path, and that the
State Church ls fashionable institution. in
which it is no easy matter to WORK dut ones
salvation. It it said that it freedom OF COP
science we're allowed in RussiA the Orthodox
Church would In short time soe one-third. per-
baps one-half, OF its members join tia Raskol
scbism-
The Raakot finds ita recruits amonR ttose who
,"poae the modernization Of Russia-a11ouE The
reasantry, mechanics, and traders. Russian
society ls divided into two entirely distinct I
worlds: old, and modern Russian society--Rqs-
ian society as 1t existed previous to Peter the
Treat. and Russian society IS It began to be
fser the Introduction Of his Reforms.
The Raskol possesses two great elements Of
ower-morality and wealth. It is often re-
1arkcd Of the Raskolniks that they are the most (
ober, economical, and honest people in Russia.
'hier houses are clean and tidy The7 make 4
be most efficient worknlen. Thoy pay their i
axes more promptly than any other portion Of '
10 Russian people. The wealth OF the naskol- ?
TX is partly an effect Of their frusa]ity aud | b
orality: in part it Ia the result Of persecution
I'd the inferior condition which they have been n
'mpelled to accept. The Jews the world over, Ii
10 Armenians in the East, the Copts ia Egypt, Il
. al instances tending to show that when j.
aaa Of people are oppressed and hAyo little to Il
} with public Affairs, they find commerce their s
suge agAinst wrong, aud the only object to | p
hich they can devote their energies. In tho T
urse OF generations \ capacity for finance or y
,siness becomes hereditary among thcuu. In | b,
. cities Of Russia, like the Jews among our G.
Ives, the Reskonlks aze frequently the wealth. Il
Il nnerchants- Many Of the hAndsomsst d.
usss In MOSCOW belong to them. Il haa bean to
sred even that the RAskolniks were going TO u
'nopolze the finances OF Russial Thus p<
'ms to be little ground for such = fet1, how u
or. an
The wealth Of the Rsstol being thus great, It II,
aot TO be wondered At that It makes occasional
lreEts, "ho seek tor influence and advance.
ut BY protesting tts tanets. Tho wealthless co,
iia rnembars do no NOT AwAya diRer vas1 Ia
'arantly from tbs Orthodox. Although nom rec
aoooted 10 iii modsku innoYattouA 4b4y eoa