The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-17
CHANGES IN THE RITUAL.
REFORMS CONTEMPLATED IN THE
RUSSIAN CHURCH.
tn America, the Organization
Mast Make Thorough Revision
Views Of Teacher From Sitka.

Basil Bouror an Americanized Russian
who has been teacher AZ the RUSSIAN
mission school OF Sitka for the
last nftsen months Is In the city on his
way TO (hcago. bringing with him a
bright .l5- aear-old boy. John Hanlan, IT..
who is on AS way 10 ST. Petersburg 70 en-
ter SEMINARY there for the purpose Of
studying for the priesthood. The boy IS
an American. being the son OF special
United States Deputy Marshal John Han
Ian. OF Sitka
Mr.. Bouror appears to be well versed in
the history OF the Russian church and
commenced his early education In the cier-
ical academy OF he University Of ST.
Petersburg. remaining there for three
years. He speaks excellent English.
though with a somewhat Russian accent.
While In the United States only since jan
Dsry, 1885. he was seven years In London
student IN the Harley Theological COL
lage. non-conform!st institution where
he first mastered the intricacias of the
English language. He came 10 this coun-
try al the suggestion OF Pobedonostzeff
the procurator of the Holy Synod and Sec
rotary of state OF Russia. and entered up
on the study of sociology and political
economy In the University of Chicago.
This he continued for two and a half years,
a; which time was sent 20 Stka as teach
er In the orphanage He IS now on his
way back 10 complete his course Of
studies in Chicago and sociology and po-
litical economy.
Members of the Greek Cnurcn.
The Russian government" said Mr..
Bouron. is now contributing about $50 on
year Tor the support and maintenance Of
churches and missions in the United States
Including Alaska, which latter gets abou,
one-haH of that amount. I suppose we
nave over 10000 people up there who speak
only the Russian language. All the natives
or the Alentian and Prib.lof islands speak
only in the Russian tongue: in fact ali the
people 10 the westward OF the Yakutat
practically belong to the Greek or Russian
church. or course, 1t is the severe old
thodox church; the ceremonies of which
have had much TO do with inspiring awe
fear ana respect in the minds Of the simple
natives OF tha; country, and In keeping
them in wholesome subiueation. The ad-
vent OF the white man however especially
The American is gradually undermining
those old customs. ana while the older men
and women still do. and will perhaps con-
ttnue to, adhere TO the orthodox church
the rising generation is gradually becoming
Amcricanized. and while uuconsc:ousiv ac-
curing the English language and being
brought into closer contact with Americans
Ihey cannot help bat gradually fail away
hom Oil set customs. and finally seek ng
fo. Themselves Il mode Of worsh!ping God
les, hampered with dogmas ard ceremonies
that are relics OF supersfitious age. aud
must tend 90 ALLEVIATE those Of more adj
VancoE thought
'Onc OF the FIRST steps 10 be taken In my
opinion ~ for the Russian Holy See of 81
Petersburg 10 translate the orthodox
church ritual into English ana hav. all tina
services in English speaking countries car
ried on in hAat tongue. Thai would ne the
first step toward a needed reformation If
the ch lrCh fn~ II would insure the attend
ance no, on.y 81 alt the Russians and
Greeks in this country. but Americans a.
well. In other words Il would give tha
church - hette' footing in this country.
well tend 10 maintain It's supremacy.
which It viii los otherwise
Need Of Sweeping Reforms.
That Is not all thar is needed. however.
am IN favor Of more radical reforms.
There are ceremonies connected with the
present services that should be dispensed
With. especially 4 they are translated mo
English. The entire services should M adj
jusgsd 10 the American mind broad ana
liberal Such reforms mean that many
things fhat the Russians believe in now
couhd not he expected a. os believed IN hv
tae Nor" Nheralizs3 and advanced Rus
siatg~ S}s fie&n- WIN the removal ~ Ger
ia.n ceremonies the fundamental doctrines
az the church. the earliest in tne history
az Christianity. Cou!t DE accepted hV ali
aud thu church made universal. For in
stance t7e u$e - the censor and The uo~-
shtp % images ana the boncTing Of ght.
saints ara some ~ The more obtect icnahle
foaaurs> r1ag wanf eliminating from the
services r could he done without afTect-
ing ans ~ the doctrines Of ,he church
Mann uf tas - things were tho Inventions
of crafty monks for the purpose 90 WORKING
oh the feelings and s7lperstluonS ~ an
ignorant class Il people Those conditions
are al charged and tAe church should
change With 1nf-.1 auI rfu8oie. is service.
20 n4t~at she requirements % this adsancr.i
axe
Nj Bcuror explained ;nat Ska ht4
E4>s.an cathedral. ever which Rev. Father
Antony presided IS ,aStor lie Se.o~vS ~
what Is known - enc vralar ~ BACK
Priests. that fs tse Dri@7's MO 50 nat sslar-