The record-union., 1896-11-13
THE sTUNDISTS.
Greed of a Religious Sect Founded in
Russia.

The Stundists. who since 1870 have
been the special object of persecution by
| the orthodox church of Russia, are an
| evangelical and Protestant Church with
| reformed tendencies. In the Lords
| supper they see only a memorial feast,
and most of them reject infant baptism.
| In fact, not few of them Will have
| nothing to do with the sacraments at
ALL Their all In all is the Bible, which
| they read and study most diligently.
both at home in their meetings. Since
| 1864 they have published the New Tes-
| lament in pocket edition, and this is
| found in everybody's possession. They
| are not skilled theologians, and as
| consequence indulge in some religious
peculiarities. They refuse to take part
| in war, and regar dthe taking of inter-
| est as sin. They are also not satisfied
| with the existing agrarian property
| laws, and undoubtedly their ideas in
| this regard furnish the authorities with
the basis for considering the Stundists
| in the light of a communist1c or even an
anarchistic sect. And yet the Car has
no subjects so industrious, so moral, SO
| order loving and peaceful as are the
| Stundists They are noted for their
| cleanliness, honesty and temperance.
| From the very outset they have ban
! ished that curse of the Russian peasant
Intoxicating liquors
| The Stundists have no common con-
| fessfon of faith. They acknowledge only
the Bible. in the Interpretation of which,
| however, they do not entirely agree.
| They also have a fixed organization.
y, f1a r1rsp
dent, they have presbyters and elders at
| the bead of their congregations, for
which offices they select older and ex-
perienced men. These take the lead in
public services and officiate at mar
riages and funerals. Although not the
| ologically educated, they are expected
| to be thoroughly at home in the Scrip
| lures These officers too, are enjoined
to visit the congregation and further the
| unity of the spirit. Subordinate to
them are the deacons, usually active
young men, who occasionally take the
place of the elders in the conduct of
public worship They also keep the rec
| ords of the congregations and look to
| the needs of the young and of the SICK.
Naturally these elders and deacons do
not constitute a clerical order, but they
| labor with their hands, and serve in the
| congregation without any remunera-
ton. This organization has been seri-
| ously disturbed by the prosecutions OF
recent years, as the Russian state and
| church authorities aimed their blows
| first and foremost at the leaders of the
Stundists.
| The public services of the Stundists
la T.
| churches, but worship in some hall or
generally in the largest room of some
| private house. AT one end there is
| table and a chair for the elder. When
| the members enter they salute each
other with the kiss of fraternal love.
Women and men sit apart. Then
hymn is sung, and it is claimed by those
who have attended that the singing of
the Stundists is especially good. Some
of the hymns have been translated into
English After the hymn the elder
reads a chapter out of the Bible and
explains it, and each one present is
privileged to make remarks. The women
in compliance with st. Paurs injunc-
ton, are required to be silent auditors.
| They, however, are allowed to pray in
public, which is always done in a kneel-
ing posture. The services are closed
with the Lords Prayer
Very significant IS the Stundist order
! of marriage. The parents of the BRIDE
| and bridegroom present the couple to
| the elder The bride is first asked if
| she wishes to enter the state of holy
matrimony with this young man, and if
| she loves him, and if she is taking this
step Of her own free will and under no
compulsion, not even that of her par
ents. When the bridegroom has an
swered similar questions hymn is
| sung and a prayer is spoken. Then the
| elder tells the couple to embrace each
| other and to grasp the right hands.
This ends the ceremony. Of course,
| this ceremony is not recognized by the
law Of Russia, as only the Russian
Church can legally perform this cere-
mony.-Professor Godet, in Public
| opinion.