The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-09-15
THERUssIAN CLERGY.
Their Tnhaence ON Society In the
Czar's DOminicns.

Czar's DOminiens.
Russian society, iceptical to the core, has
unfortunately psrochial clergy utterly in
capable of putting itself into relation with
the thinking portions of the community--a
clergy among whom men of literature and
men of the world alike have cessed 10 look
for learning or moral elevation. Neither in
their writings .or in their ministrstions, still
less in social intercourse, are the Russian
clergy as body able, or apparently
willing, to enter into the discussion Of
those problems of life and mind which
border upon religion. But the negation of
the infinite leads inevitably 10 nihijism, and
philosophical nihilism, in its practical appli-
cation, ends in the disintegrAtion of the social
and moral life of the nation. In fact the
influence Of the clergy al this momentous
crisis 10 most unwholesome; it is that of the
salt which has lost its savor.
Illiierate themselves, furnished with scsnty
information picked up in ill-organizsd semi
naries, they fail entirely as pioneers of cul-
ture among one of the most backward peas
sntries OF modern Europe.
God be thanked, q devout Russian Law
man 10 reported TO have said, the eastern
church has never ruled that religious light
and instruction are confined to the clergy!
1t is pity that what light there is should be
almost entirely confined to the laity, who
themselves arc only in the possession of re-
fracted light from German and French
sources. But an ignorant priesthood will of
necessity put impedments into the way Of
intellectual advance. Thus We find the
reading of tho bible not forbidden, indeed.
yet At the same time not encouraged. Prins,
and people kiss the book reverently, vet 9th,
erwise neglect y. lsses bave come under
the notice OF Tao i.,t... NJ ter of copies
of the Bible having been c.refully wrapped
up and put by in the house of peasants, with
the remark, 'Now, little mother, the good
God cannot bo hard on us when we have
such treasure in the house." Religious
Ignorance accordingly reigns supreme. A.
instance related by an English traveller of .
Russian peasant who, being asked II he could
name the three persons of the Trinity, re-
piled without hesitation 'Of course, il is the
Saviour; the mother OF God, and ST. Nicho.
las, tbe miracle>worker,' is by no means q
| very unusual exhibition of ignorance
Religion amounts In many cases TO mere
czar worship. What kind Of obedience do
we owe to the czar! inquiries the catechism.
Answer: An entire passive and unbounded
obedience In every point of view. The czsr,
in short, Is the infallible yicegerent of God
Almighty. The devotions of the people are
reduced TO mechanical formula; thore are no
service books in which TO follow the prayers
of the church, and sermons are seldom ever
preached to appeal 10 their minds and con-
sciences. The sight of small prayer book
In the hand Of q lady at macs causes much
concern 10 an old fashioned church-goer in
one Of Tourgenietl's novels: What is she
abou,i he eIclsims. God, forgive mel She
must DO vitch-or What?
In the report on ecclesiastical matters by
Count Tolstoi, already referred 10, q rather
porlly volume, two pages only are occupied
with preaching, where II says, however, very
properly, that the religious and moral oduca.
tion of the people depends on church schools
and preaching In the frat instance Reli.
gious acts arc regarded more in tho light of
magic incantations, and religious belief de-
generates into dobssing superstition. Faith
in the wonder-w working power of icons and
sacred relics Is unbounded.
The effect ofthis on minds of the higher
c,asses, half cultured themselves, blase, and
morally vitiated,. 10 most pernicious, while
students Of science and the modern Russian
party, With its strong lesnings toward reals.
tic views Of life, turn away disgustsd from
the teachings Of clergy whom they consider
only m ignorant Doors. Tho nihilist con-
spiritors mostly belong to this advanced
section, and II is notable fact that not one
OF them, whom condemned In former state
trials. would have anything 70 do with the
comforts osreligion, but scornfully rejected
The offices Of the church In tho extreme
moment.