New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-10

srordence between the two men. Indeed, they
were not acquainted with each other. and had
never seen each other. But after the putting
forth of their little books, the two became close
friends.
The common people heard Prince Khilkop
GLADLY They called him teacher and master"
and begged him TO found new church This
he refused to do, but contented himself with
stirring up the people to earnestness OF thought
on religious subjects and cxhorting them 10 higher
and spiritual lives. His work NATURALLY
aroused the hostility OF the Established church,
and Mr. Pobiedonostzeff began to seek cause
for arrestng him. lie was accused OF treason. and
Of Nihilism and was placed under police sur
VIGILANCE.
At last he was entrapped. 1t was between two
and three years ago. priest of the Orthodox
Church went to him privately. pretended to be
o convert TO his doctrines and asked for ADVICE
and counsel The Prince, not suspecting trap.
talked freely with him. and indeed, opened his
whole heart TO the man, who was. by the way,
one of his neighbors in Kharkon The willy priest
listened, and went away. Soon after he preached
an deliberately prepared sermon, in which ne de-
bounced the Prince and his teachings unsparlngly.
declaring him to be hereto and a traitor. The
Government thereupon ordered the Prince to cease
his teaching and it arrested and exiled a num-
Der of his friends and followers. The Prince him.
self remained at liberty. though closely watched
by the police.
The next move occurred last fall, when Mr..
Pobiedonstzeff sent OF the ablest and most
eloquent priests In the Orthodox Church to visit
the Prince and convert him TO orthodoxy. The
result was disastrous The priest was utterly
confused, confounded and defeated in argument.
and went away from the Prince in a furious
rage threatening him with all sorts OF penalties
nc a M
Government turned its attention TO the peasant,
whom the Prince had taught, and strove to turn
the Established Church. Orthodox priests
were at frequent intervals sent DOWN 10
preach TO the peasants. to discuss religious ques,
become Nonconformists. or Stundists. or followers
OF Prince Khkotts doctrines. The rustics were
forced TO come and listen 20 these sermons. anu
were ordered to kiss the cross in the hands OF inc
preacher. those who refused being arrested ana
imprisoned blasphemers. and those who com
piled being registered as true members OF IN. .ne
Orthodox Church, 10 be banished If ever they
again apOstatiZed.
Prince Khkoff was present at some Of these
theological discussions in which the Noncon.
formists dared not speak freely. lest they should
be accused Of blasphemy and sent TO siberia;
Some priests delighted to sheer at Stundlsm anc
all forms of Evangelical Christianity and. re-
citing texts Of the gospel challenged any Of their
opponents TO answer il they could. or TO embrace
Orthodoxy if they could not. On one of these
occasions, Prince Khilkof. who was requested
very courteously. combining himself TO the QUO
tation Of passages from the New Testament. But
these proved pertinent. so conclusive. and 81
unanswerable. that the priests position became
untenable. lie complained TO the Archbishop Of
Kharkof that the Prince had brought him AMI
true religion into contempt. Archbishop Am
brose communicated with his friend. Mr. Pobie
donOstzef asking him 10 remove the one obstacle
to the conversion of the peasants. Mr.. Pobie-
donostzeh requested the Minister Of the Interior
10 move in the matter. and Prince Khilkof was
soon aterward arrested. That was in March
last. The peasants. hearing that he was about
to be sent away. assembled in large numbers
and signifed their intention Of rescuing him
and resisting the authorities. This they would
have done had not the Prince besought them
TO allow him 20 20 10 his place Of exile. whence
he would write 10 them regularly. unless for
hidden by the authorities fe was then taken
by the police 10 s-Caucasias and there he
has since remained: or was supposed 70 have
remained, until Yesterday. when that astonishing
apparition greeted the eyes Of the Russian officers
in the Macmillan Platz. Whether il was really
Prince KhilkOf. and il so. how he has escaped
from his prison in Trans Caucasa. are questions
to the answering Of which everyone is looking
with the utmost interest.