The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-17

fluid state, so that it is impossible to pre-
dict what form it will ultimately assume.
We have not yet thought about that,
have frequently been told when L in
CURED about some abstruse doctrine, we
must talk about it at the meeting next
Sunday. What is your opinion? Be
sides this, their fundamental principles
allow great latitude for individual and
local differences of opinion. They hold
that Holy Writ is the only rule of faith
and conduct but that it must be taken
In the spiritual, not the literal, sense. as
there is no terrestrial authority to which
doubtful points can be referred. Each
individual is free to adopt the interpre-
tatlon which commends itself to his own
Judgment. This will, no doubt, ultimate
ly lead.to a variety.of sects, and already
there is considerable diversity of opin-
ION between the different communities
but this diversity has not yet been re-
cognlzed, and | may say that L nowhere
found that fanatically dogmatic, quib-
bling spirit which is the soul of secta-
rianism.
" For their ecclesiastical organization
the Molokani take as their model the
early apostolic church, as depicted in the
New Testament, and uncompromisingl
reject all later authorities. In accord
ance with this model they have no
hierarchy and no paid clergy, but choose
among themselves a presbyter and two
asslstants,-men well-known among the
brethren for their exemplary life and
their knowledge of the Scriptures
whose duty it is to watch over the rei
glous and moral welfare of the flock. On
Sundays they hold meetings in private
houses,-for they are not allowed to build
churches,-and spend two or three hours
IN psalm-singing, prayer, reading of the
Scriptures, and friendly conversation on
religious subjects. If any one has doc
trnal difficulty which he desires to have
cleared up, he states it to the congrega-
ton, and some of the others give their
opinions, with the texts on which opinions
are founded. If the question seems
clearly solved by the texts, it is decided
If not, it is left open"
There is decided leaning on the
part of the Molokans toward the cere-
monial law of the Old Testament. They
are strict IN practice, exercising a rigid
discipline over any member guilty of
moral obliquity In the account which
Mr.. Cole received from some of their
members, the origin of the sect is given
as not earlier than the first of this cen
tury, but Mr.. Wallace states that there
are documentary traces of it in the time
OF Catherine H. who came to the throne
in 1862. Though of the opinion that it
has hundreds of thousands of adherents.
Mr.. Wallace admits that it is difficult to
estimate with any accuracy the number
OF the Molokans in Russia. Thev GER
tainly are to be found in many parts of
the empire, about Samara and the Crimea
and In Siberia. And now we hear of
them meeting our missionaries on the
borders of the Turkish Empire. Itisap-
Parently the first time they have reached
out so as to come in contact with those of
other nationalities who will sympathize
with their religious life, and who NAV
help them in the development of their
faith. Our missionaries who have found
this Christian people have "struck a
vein better than any discovered by
miners for gold or silver. Who carf tell
what the future has in store for the mis-
sions of the American Board in connec-
ton with these interesting people Ms
SIOn0,77I Herald