The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-03
"A. JOnN SON,
No. Ill East Twelfth street, New Yorh
RELIGIOUS PROSECUTIONS OF BAPTIsrs IN

RELIGIOUS PROSECUTIONS OF BAPTIsrs IN
RUSSIA.
The Rev. Professor Rauschenbosh, OF Rochester
University, writes to the Examiner ana Chronicle
OF this city, giving an account OF recent persecu
tons OF Baptists In Russia for religion and con-
science sake, which he has compiled from private
sources. He says the German Baptlsts resident in
Russia have freedom Of conscience and OF worship
but converts from the Orthodox Greek Church are
denied both because Of the hostility or the priests
About two months ago the Association OF Baptist
churches IN Southern Russia met In Newstadt, and
about fifteen hundred delegates were present
The proceedings were conducted in German, and
government officers, who were present, reported
favorably on the gathering. The imperial govern.
ment Is inclined TO permit liberty OF worship. but
the Church IN dineren, provinces uses its power
and influence TO persecute and Cypress all dis
senrers.
Last spring the joyful news went through the
religious press that the prisoners arrested for
conscience sake in Southern Russia had been
ity OF them, but not with all. Moreover, new ar
rests have since been made. And, what Is worst
the mos: stringent measures have been taken BY
the authorities to prevent all meetings Of the Rus
sian Baptlsts, large military force occupying all
the villages IN which they i've Most OF the villages
are situated IN the district OF Tarasntcha, Depart
ment OF Kew. Owing. perhaps, to the fact that
Kew, the ancient metropolis OF the Greek Church
in Russia, Is considered as 'hOly city," bigOtry
and superstition are stronger and more violent In
the Department OF Kew than in the Department of
Emerson, where there are Russian Baptists too
Ana vet those in the latter department are ban
tlZed, whle those around Kew are not, because
up to tue present they could not get an admins
traitor, the German Baptlsts being too far distant
They are, therefore, known as StuudlSts only. e.
as people VINO hold prayer meetings. from the Ger.
AS samples OF the severity OF this persecution
one OF Professor Rauscht nbushs correspondents
W was ne ahH
other part OF the country. BY the good hand OF
God he succeeded IN coming unobserved near the
made inquiry for the Stundlsts, and soon lOund
one OF them, who led him 10 the others. He saw
several women whose husbands are still IN prison.
being thrown into the most dismal dungeons,
where only murderers are kept ana to which no.
BODY mas access one OF me prisoners mad re.
vile mad Just returned from his funeral.
The place where the messenger met these bretn-
rem and sisters was IN forest. for there only
could they be safe from constabies and spies. They
wept for JOY as he told them that he was sent to
body knew OF or cared for them. SO, when they
learned that Others at many different places, even
IN distant countries, PRAYED for them, they lelt
greatly strengthened. They valued this sympathy
higher than the money which the messenger car.
ried to them. One sister ,t when she received aid
husband, in mis- prison, could get some of lei" But
this Is impossible
Nearly all these good people are very poor and
live by the labor OF their hands. They suffer in
various ways from the injustice and oppression Of
their prosecutors. The priests forbid people to
magistrates Tor various alleged offences fine them
and seize their property. One brother, for
conducting meeting, had from 200 to 800
roubles' worth taken from him. STILL amid all
these prosecutions the number OF converts has
greatly Increased.
AT Kew six brethren and two sisters are stIll in
prison who nave been there over two years. The
Golownaya Palata (high COURT had sentenced
them to only hall years imprisonment.
but the Procuror (proctor) thought this lnsufll-
cient and appealed to the Senate and the Minis
try for a prOon2ation OF the arrest. Now the poor
prisoners constantly told, ''No answer has yet
come from st. Petersburgn and thus they have
been lying III prison over two years. They are
kept In dungeon designed only Tor such murder
show themselves uD tractabe, and even
such may lawfully be Kept there Tor three days
only. But these prisoners ior conscience sake
have had TO suffer mere for so long time in very
narrow cells INTO which but faint glimmer OF
light can penetrate.
A brother BY the name of Baladan, who has been
recently dismissed from prison, has been sub
jected to still greater severity. He was one OF the
leaders in the religious revival. For this offence he
was thrown into cell just large enough to per.
nit him to lie down and rest with his leet drawn
up but this was made Impossible by chains on his
hands and feet, large iron ring arQund his body
and smaller one around his neck, both being con-
nected by an iron bar. HIS hands being fastened
TO the ceiling. he had to stand erect Tor twenty
on him about ten Tires. He has been in prison
I wo years and a half at Odessa Tarashtcha and
Kew. His eyesignt and nearing nave been
injured by the cruel treatment he has
received.
These stundists in the vicinity OF Kew are not
yet baptized; but nearly all hold Baptist sent-
ments and look upon Baptists as their brethren.