The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-24
A GREAT GIFT FOR THE POOR
DOES STRANGE THINGS. But DIS
CLAIMs SUPERNATURAL POWER.
Performs His Cures and other "sMfr-
acIes" Probably by Hypnotic Sug-
gestfOn and Sympathy.

sumption and raises the paralyzed from the
sick-bed. John, whom the weak and hungry,
the deaf and leprous call Savior John. has
just received a million roubles ia silver
from an unknown friend.
do as Christ would do with the same"
the donor wrote on a sheet Of blank paper
that served as an invoice for the twenty
barrels containing the treasure.
Potatoes. 1 suppose" said John. "Put
them in the cellar. my good fellow"
TOO heavy for potatoes. Papa IVAN"
sang out the drayman.
Lard, perhaps"
Lead. l think" AS the driver said this
the barrel he was shouldeging slipped and
fell to the ground. where it burst strew-
ing the pavement with silver roubles and
half roubles.
John threw his cloak over the mass OF
money. Ring the bell" he bid his acolyte.
this shall be a feast day for our poor.
God meant TO be especially good TO them
this m~Orning-hence the mishap.'
The gate was closed and John and his
disciples gathered the coined wealth in
the skirts Of their cassocks. Fifty thou
sand roubles they counted among them.
How many barrels are there?'
Twenty. Papa Ivan"
"The Lord be praised. We have a million
to face the winter"
A hundred roubles were put aside for
immediate want, the rest and the nineteen
additional barrels were placed in Johns
private chapel, under the improvised altar
table. Some time afterwards. when your
correspondent, attracted Dy the throng OF
mendicants. sought the saints house. the
treasure was unhesitatingly displayed be-
fore him and half a dozen other strangers.
st. Johns is probably the most unique
depository for vast riches in the world.
Picture to yourself a low room with an
earthen floor, whitewashed walls. Zone OF
them severely out Of plumb and a single
small window. The only piece OF furni-
ture a roughly made pinewood table. legs
and lower part concealed by a white cot
ton curtain; on the table an enormous
wooden cross between flower pots and
saints pictures; behind the drapery the
big hoard Of coined money. the biggest TO
be found anywhere in this vast empire out
side OF the imperial treasury. for little
else but paper money is in actual circula-
ton.
THE FATHER NOT AFRAID.
Had you not better send It to the bank.
father?" said a policeman who had drifted
in with the crowd.
You suggest that because my walls are
shaky, because the window has no lock
and because the floor may be laid open
with a shovel" smiled John. "Ah. my
friend, my faith is built on more solid
ground and 1 wish yours were. too. No."
he continued. Il will keep this gift from
heaven right here. where 1 can lay my
hand on it at any moment. II I send II
TO the bank it might be used 10 make
more beggars by aiding people ia ruinous
commercial undertakings"
Saint Ivan, as the people call him. is the
most Christ-like person one can imagine
walking this earth. When at the corona
ton Of the present Gar he was seen in
the procession that conducted his Majesty
from the chapel TO the palace the ten
thousand Of foreigners present remarked
the striking similarity with one accord.
while the Russians. overcome. fell on their
knees and worshiped him. On that su-
preme occasion the good and great priest
wore a chasuble Of spun gold, but without
the cross and pillar designed 10 be en-
bIematical of the Savior's sunerings. HIS
head was uncovered and his long hair fell
in graceful curls upon his shoulders. Or
dinarily he wears the stately robes OF the
Russian higher clergy, resembling those
Of a Roman Catholic bishop, while his
breast is adorned by a massive cross OF
pure gold set with precious stones. which
the late Emperor Alexander presented him
with on his deathbed. But the show OF
grandeur is all outwardly. Like the good
shepherd. John is simplicity itself in bear
ing and demeanor.
His hair, parted on the crown OF his
head, appears 10 be blonde. rather than
brown, but its exact shade is hard to deter
mine, as it varies with the light OF the
day. He has a weil-shaped mouth and
nose, and his complexion is healthy. a
pair Of clear, bright and serene eyes add
ing to this appearance OF amiable rever-
ence. But the most striking part OF ST.
John is his address. whether in word or
deed. His language, aided by a musical
voice. is most tender and persuasive. He
rebukes with mildness. and I hay seen
great mulatudes ia tears when he invoked
them with tender prayers.
HE FORGIVES VICE.
Papa Ivan," said your correspondent
10 the holy man when he was handing out
half rouble pieces 10 the beggar swarms,
attracted by the bell. why don't these
miserable people try TO be cured like others
who seek your help?'
MY son." replied the priest. didn't
Jesus say the poor would always be with
us?'
4 know, Papa Ivan, but most OF these
mendicants are frauds; some. ] am as
sured. MANNED themselves. as they prefer
begging 20 honest work"
God forgive them" said John Far a
be from me 10 tax away ones livelihood
unless II be criminal"
Papa Ivan is the son OF an Archangel
peasant. He understands the Russians as
the Russians understand him. The peoples
sufferings are his own. he says. and his
purpose in life Is 10 alleviate pain and pro-
mote happiness. On this principle rests
his reputation as a miracle worker and
because OF his success on these line. he
! L. called a saLn. Rna ha cIalrra n ....-.