Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-12-25
RUSSI..N WOMErl.
The Duties and Pleasures OF Life as They
Exist In the Czar's DoInizicu-

The fluties and Pleasures OF Life as They
Exist In the Cars DoIniaicn-
The subject condition Of Russian
women Is one Of the principal causes ol
the rapid growt. among the people oI
certain radical Christian seets. some ol
which resemble in MANY particulars the
american revivalssts and Ansbaptists
The desposism of the family drives the
peasant woman TO these sects, which
teach that there can be no domestic ties
de itre where none exist De fasto. and
that il Is degrading to observe the letter
when the spirit Is dead She flies from
her home and lives under an assumed
name. lest she be dragged back to her
former servitnde. She feels raised to q
condition OF equality and Independence
bv her faith In a religious doctrine. and
ardently embraces the new belief. The
maiden. OF woman married against her
viii by the state church. having once
thrown in her lot with these enthusiasts,
NAV marry among them. Until within
the last two years Russian law did not
recognize these marriages. and de jure
the wife was always able to leave her
sectarian husband without his being
able to restrain her. In some Of these
sects the husband and wife stand on an
equal footing. and the marriage lasts rs
long as both parties are satisfied On
entering the conjugal state they declare
their intention before the elders of the
church. and on sundering the union
thew do the same Until Verv recently
these sects were prosecuted. and MANY
a peasant woman. by her devotion and
herOism, has shown herself worthy
OF .he MARTYRS halo. Women
ostsn preach. and the greater number
Of these religious bodies are dist 'nguish.
ed for n high moral level. purity and
tenderness of domestic life. which i all
the more remarkable when il Is rcmem-
bered thas an entire dissolution of all
family ties i permitted By some Of their
peculiar doctrines. Besides the sects
lust mentioned there are Othnrs of an
ascelc nature. in which the omen take
VOWS of cha .tity and consecrate their
lives 10 nursing The sick and studying
the Bible A new sect has very recent
ly sprung up, whose Distinguishing
feature is the exaltatiOR of woman. She
i placed above man because she car
give birth TO another immoral being
Her pain and travail are 20 great that
exemptinS her from all other physical
suffering aad annoyance would be but
a poor reward; she Is entitled TO the
deepest gratitude and reverence of man.
kind. Certain writers who have studied
these religious phenomena speak with
great admiration of some young girls
gifted with remarkable orat0rSal talents
and wonderful depths OF mystical
thought. The sects to wkich they be-
long seek sanctity in the acts of every
day life. A member Of one Of them-s
psalm--esding old maid--said 10 a
proud Bishop riding in carriage:
Christ went barefooted- The spirit
of the Russian sectaries il favor OF the
emancipation Of women shows what a
vital hold the woman question has o.
even the lowest orders OF our natiorsl
lie. What the upper and educ-tel
classes OF women seek in the scenes.
higher education and the liberal PRO
fessions. the poor, ignorant peasa4
Somen ind in mystical rel.gioa. -
St1Ilton.