The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-05-18
The Creed of the stundists.

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 memorial feast, and most of them reject infant baptism In fact, not @ few of them will have nothing to do with the sacra- ments at all. Their all in all is the Bi-
 ble, which they read and study most diligently both at home and in their
 meetings. Since 1864 they have pub
 lished the New Testament in pocket
 edition, and this is found in every
 body's possession. They are not skilled
 theologians, and as consequence in-
 dulge in some religious peculiarities. They refuse to take part in war, and
 regard the taking of interest as sin. They are also not satisfied with the ex-
 isting agrarian property laws, and un- doubtedly their ideas in this regard furnish the authorities with the basis for considering the Stundists in the | light of communistic or even an anar-
 chistic sect. And yet the Czar 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- fession of faith. They acknowledge | only the Bible, in the interpretation of
 which, however, they do not entirely agree They also have fixed organi- zation. In accordance with the Bibli- | cal precedent, they have presbyters and elders at the head of their congre- gations, for which offices they select older and experienced men. These take 1 the lead in public services and officiate l at marriages and funerals. Although not theologically educated, they are ex- | pected to be thoroughly at home in the
 scriptures. These officers too are en- | joined to visit the congregation and further the unity of the spirit Subor- l dinate to them are the deacons, usually active young men, who occasionally take l the place of the elders in the conduct ot | public worship. They also keep the records of the congregations and look to the needs of the young and of the sick. Naturally these elders and dea- cons do not constitute a clerical order l but they labor with their hands, and serve in the congregation without any 1 remuneration. This organization has l been seriously disturbed by the perse- l cutions of recent years as the Russian 1 state and church authorities aimed 1 their blows first and foremost at the l leaders of the Stundists.
 1 The public services of the Stundists l are unique. They have no regular | churches, but worship in some hall ol generally in the largest room of some l private house. At one end there is l table and a chair for the elder Wher l the members enter they salute eacf other with the kiss of fraternal love Women and men sit apart. Then 2 hymn is sung, and it is claimed by those who have attended that the sing. ing of the Stundists is especially good
 Some of the hymns have been transla ted into English After the hymn tht l elder reads chapter out of the Bible and explains it,and each one present + | privileged to make remarks. The wo men, in compliance with St. PauPs in junction, are required to be silent audi
 tors. They, however, are allowed tt pray in public which is always don' in kneeIing posture. The services ar'
 closed with the Lords prayer.
 Very significant is the Stundist ordel of marriage The parents of the bride
 and bridegroom present the couple t' the elder. The bride is first asked i she wishes to enter the state of hol, matrimony with this young man, ant if she loves him, and if she is takint this step of her own free will and unde no compulsion, not even that of her pa
 rents When the bridegroom has an swered similar questions hymn i
 sung and a prayer is spoken. Then tn
 elder tells the couple to embrace eacl
 other and to grasp the right hands
 This ends the ceremony. Of course
 this ceremony is not recognized by tn
 law of Russia, as only the Russian
 church can legally perform this cere
 mony-Professor Godet in Public Opin |