New-York tribune., 1900-09-30
THE ExcoMuUNICATIoN OF ToL

The communication Cf Count TolstoI by
the Greek Church is not surprising. The really
surprising thing is that the Church delayed ac-
ton so long. In point of fact the Holy Synod
In 1897 practically decided to eXpel the novel
ist, but action was delayed because it was
feared that the results would be more serious
for the Church than for TolstoH But the alb
surdity of retaining such man in good stand
ing has at last become so patent that mere
considerations of expediency have had to give
way 1t must be remembered that cast iron
orthodoxy and a hidebeund conservatism are
the supreme characteristics of the Greek
Church. changeless belief expressed in
changeless forms is the norm of its life. 1t
cares nothing for passing gusts of opinion, and
just little for the great movements and ten
dencies of thought that leave an ineffaeeable
mark on other faiths more responsive to the
times. That in a civilization engendered by
such a religion should have appeared a re-
ligious unbeliever and social icOnoclast like
TolstoI is a striking proof of the fact that even
under the most favorable conditions the Church
cannot prevent dissent. So long as men ere
permitted to think and do think, even in the
Eastern Church, q nCHcOnfOrmst will here and
there arise, and if for any reason it is ineXpedi
ent to turn him over to the secular arm for
punishment. the Church must be content with
the spiritual discipline of accommodation.
In the case Of TOlstoT however, 1t is only
fair to say that he has no grievance against
the Church In his latest novel. "Resurrec-
tion, as indeed, in nearly all his writings, he
has cOntemptuOusly denied all the fundamental
beliefs not merely of the Eastern Church, but
of Christianity in general 1t is doubtless true
that he reverences Christ, his conception of
Christ: but he never tires of heapng scorn
and contempt upon Christianity which, In his
opinion. is n complete denial Of the funda-
mental teachings of Christ. In his book en-
titled my Religion he gives to the world a
SORT of religious autobiography. He was born
and baptized in the Greek Church, but in spite
of the most careful religious training he had
abandoned all belief in anything by the time
he was eighteen. For thirty years." he de-
clares Il was a Nihilist-nOt a revolutionary
Socialist, but a man who believed in moth
ing" 1t seemed to him that the whole world
was huge blunder, and he himself no less so.
There was Fatherhood of God and no
Brotherhood of Man. A blind fate was respon-
sible for the existence of man, and apparently
this fate took an almost demoniacal delight in
making his environment as wretched and hope
less as possible.
But in the course of time TOlStoT experienced
a mental and spiritual reaction, and in a char
acteristcally curious and unique way. Noting
the fact that fate or nature had made mans
life the antithesis of reason, he began to ask
himself If he might not be wrong in bringing
the universe before the bar of reason He an
swered this question by deciding that a thing
might be contrary to reason and yet right and
true. That being so, 1t was obviously wrong
for him to reject the Christian faith because
it was contrary to reason. And so he became
formally reconciled again to the Church. But
the reconciliation never amounted to much. 1t
was made with reservations the part of
TolstOI that robbed it of much of its value He
accepted tie Church's system its outward
ordinances, much as a Socialist might accept
and recognize n national government-for rga-
sons of necessity. But he made no pretence
of accepting the dogmas of the Church, though
its officers, for reasons of policy, amiably shut
their eyes to his cOntumacy. He accepted
Christ not as God, but as the author of a SUI
premely wise and good system of morals. This
world to Tolstoi was the main thing; the be
lief in immortality seemed largely specula-
ton On such terms as these the Russian re-
former strove for a time to make his peace
with the Church. But 1t could not be- He is
to be excommuncated at last And from his
point of view the anathema of such a body as
the Greek Church will be the best possible evi-
dence that he has stood up for righteousness
and truth.