The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-28


of n Pagan. Still it must be admitted, they
show Indications of conscience which promi-
ncnt members of Plymouth Church would
do well to initiate. A Russian peasant, for
instance before committing theft or any
other hcinous sin, will invariably throw n
cloth over the picture of the Virgin. which
hangs as an object of worship I'm his room,
| thus. at all events. showing an anxiety to
conceal his crime from her sacred eye.
In some respects, undoubtedly, we should
consider the extension of Greek Church in
llucncc into Turkey TO be more desirable for
the Christian populations Of that country
than that of plymouth. and our astonish-
mcnt at the reverence and respect which the
latter has for the former ceases when we
observe how many features they have in
common. For instance, we all remember
the persecution which went on in Brooklyn
Of all those who doubted the innocence Of
1.-THE Beloved Pastor" The spirit of intul-
GRANGE and blind frenzy that the national
Church of Russia, which, according to MIR
BEECHER, possesses "thc true religion"
manifcsts toward those vino dissent from it.
evidently commcnds itself to Plymouth and
its pastor.
Three millions Of dissenting sect, for in
stance known as Omitted Greeks were
ordered by an imperial ukasc of the En-
pcror NICHOLAS to enroll themselves a.
members Of the national Church. They re-
fused. and then commenced n series Of per-
sccutions throwing the Bulgarian atrocities
far into the shade. Scores of thousands
were logged to death, or persisted through
maltrcatment and privatiun, or died ON their
way to Siberia those who reached their
place Of exile speedily terminating their
miserable existence in the mines. An entire
community Of nuns Of one Roman Catholic
convent We're either scourgcd to death or
died under the infection Of ingenious tor
lures, such a. dragging them through and
half drowning them in horse ponds. and
suhjccting them TO other unmcntiOnablc
horrors. or these only two the abbcss and
one nun. escaped to France. The pcrsccu-
tions of the Jews. which are still pract~cd.
and which force them constantly to take
refuge in Turkey, We have repeatedly al
uded - IN our columns. The treatment to
which the TchC"vassc and Tchcrcm, 81 Mo-
hammcdans of Europ' nn Russia are expos, 4
has constantly been made tho subject Of rep
rcscntation 10 the Porte, which IS powcrlcss
to protect them. The Wholesale expulsion Of
the Circassians from their mountains is mat
ter Of history, and these wrctchcd eNilcs
were at one time the objects Of sympathy Of
many Of those who are now calling down the
Divine vengeance ON their heads. procla-
nation by the Polish committee at Constant
tinoplc which We publish elsewhere. de-
scribcs the outrages to which they have
been subjected, the persecution taking
chiefly that ecclesiastical form which seems
50 palatablc to Plymouth Church, and which
has resulted in the Imprisonment and exile
Of priests for no other crime than that Of
refusing to compromise with their con
sciences in matters of faith
This is the Church which Mr. BrrcHTR
wishes to see triumphant in the East. its in
ilucnce extended 10y the bloodthirsty legions
who are its blind and fanatic votaric-. and
who have repeatedly proved their religious
zeal by putting whole populations Of mon.
women. and children ruthlc~-ly to the sword
In the name of the Prince 81 Peace. These
are the armies 81 which Mr.. BrrciIrE says.
when / heard ~ tho Russian armies go
ing out my sympathy went out with thom."
a sentiment which We are informed the Rev.
LYMAN ABBOTT and Dr.. EDWARD BEEcHER
endorsed Taking the past history Of this
church into account, its quarrcls with
the other churches Of Brooklyn. AMI
the noxious moral influence which has
for some years pervadcd the whole
atmosphere 10y which II is surrounded. We
can perhaps desire NO better evidence Of the
inherent fulscnoss of the Russian crusade in
the cause Of religion and civilization than
that 1t should have drawn forth this warm