The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-05-26
RUSSIAN MYSTICISM. .
Nsneeaansh l,entury.

The interesting sect of "Negators' offers to us the spectacle of strange religious pessimism. The doctrines of this scot push the idea of nihilism and of negation to their extremest limit. The members lead life of vagabond- age, and pass the larger portion of their existence in prison. Govern ment thinks their doctrines danger ous to public safety, and subjects them to the most rigorous punishments. Let us take as type of this sect a certain merchant named Shishkin. In his search for truth he four times changed his sect, and finally became persuaded that all religion was error and lying. He addicted himself to the study of the sacred scriptures, and thought he perceived that they were not in accord with human nature, and then he came to repudiate all ideas of God and religion, as we'll as all human institutions, all authority, government and society. He was promptly ar rested and imprisoned and all his prop erty confscated. He refused to justify himself or avail himself of legal help tor his defense, persisted in his opin- ions, and continued to preach in the prison. Here is curious specimen of his answers to the judge dfnstruction
 Judge-"Who are you?"
 Prisoner-"Don't you see Pm manT Are you blind?"
 J.-"What is your religion?"
 P.-"I have none."
 J.-"What God do you believe inp" P.-"I don't believe in any God. God belongs to you-to you people. It was you who invented Him. Idon't want Him."
 J.-"Do you worship tho devil, then?" (with some irritatioD.
 P.-"I worship neither God nor devil, because have no need of prayer. The devil Is also an invention of yours. God and the devil arc yours, as well as the czar, the priests and govern ment officials. You are all children of the same father. am not one oi you, and l wish to know nothing of you."
 Each for himself, say these scctaries there Is neither right, nor duty, nor social or political or religious hier- archy. Man, abandoned to his natural instincts, without hindrance from gov comment, will be irresistibly impelled toward truth and equity. They deny without exception. all rights of prop erty, and recognize no form of socia organization. For them, marriage the family, social duties, do not exist they live in fantastic world of lib. erty without limit, and despise all that surrounds them.
 For example, if any one asked Shishkin for anything whatever, h' would give it to them at once only it absolutely must be something use' ful, food, clothes, or money for vita needs, etc. But he would not give ( halfpenny for tobacco, wine, or sucl like things. "I should prefer to throw the money out of the window rather than help you to poison yourself witt tobacco" he answers to those who asl him for money to indulge in that habit. If any one thanks him, h, answers: "What stupid word You have received what you wanted; you have eaten well, now go."
 These sectaries are advocates of al that is natural they never shave ol cut their hair, they drink no spirits and do not smoke, 90 as not to spoi the natural beauty of the intellectua faculties. They dream of life 1T which each should work for himself satisfying his wants with the prcdrc. tions of the earth, and making for him. self all necessary articles. What Ii over ought to be given to those who are in want. They entertain a pro. found hatred for all compulsory worl under all forms. They never go into service, even if threatened with death and they employ no servants. Wher Shishkin was in prison they shaved him and tried to compel him to work but he utterly refused, saying "You have taken me by force. I did not ask you to shut me up. So now you ought to feed me and to work for me- It was of no use to fog him, to chair him to wheelbarrow, to shut hin pp in dungeon, to give him only bread and water-it had no effect. Hs remained immovable.
 These sectaries do not allow of ths exchange of products or of trade. "Ii you want anything and I can give fl you, take 1t. When I in turn want anything, you will give it me-" They preach free love, and do not recognize marriage. They consider women to be independent beings, equal to men, fret to choose lovers and occupations ac- cording to taste. They replace the word wife by friend.
 A man, a woman and a child were brought before judge, accused of be- longing to the sect of Negstors. "Ia this your wife?" asked the judge "No, she Is not my wife" "But you live with her.n "Yes; but she is moi