Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-11
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TOLSTOI PHILOSOPHY.

The prominence into which Count
Tolsto has come through the recent
acts Of ecclesiastical and civil authorl-
ties makes his views upon certain topics
Of peculiar interest. No man now llv-
ing, perhaps has had harder strug-
gle for light than he has had. II he
still remains In darkness on many OF
life's greatest problems, II Is not be-
cause he has not sought earnestly for
the thread Of Ariadne that might lead
him out OF the labyrinth II Is rather
because he has searched within him
self for that which can only be found
outside the recesses OF human under
standing.
On the question OF property right
Tostol has come to the conclusion that
possession Is in itself sinful. BY what
mental processes he has arrived at
this view, It Is difficult to say Others
before him. have, however, taught
similar doctrine The example OF the
Master. they have held condemns not
only the improper use of wealth put
wealth itself. Tolstol has carried THIS
to the extreme. To him, a man or wo-
man who has large estate Is realiy a
transgressor OF Gods laws, to spend
money on the finerles for sale In mod
ern mercantile establishments is sin.
Equally glarlng are his views on ex-
lstlng forms of government Speaking
In condemnatory language of the levy
ing OF taxes by States, he says the fact
that in England France. America, and
all constitutional countries, taxes are
determined by pariaments, that Is, by
assemblies of pretended representa-
tlves OF the people" does not affect the
question, because elections are so or
ganized that 1.-THE members Of parlia-
ments do not represent the people be-
ing nothing but professional politicians
occupied only with their personal am
billions and the interests of their par
ties, or, II they are not so at first they
become so as soon as they enter parlia-
ment." To Count Tolstoi, consequent
ly. all who are In authority whether by
virtue of birth or by the choice OF the
people. are really usurpers. He can see
no necessity for government and no
good In those who hold positions OF
power
II is almost pathetic to find master
mind like Tolstois, thus cropping In vain
for something whereupon to ouild us
hone for the future OF the human race
He finds fault with everything that
exists, but can offer no substitute HOW
different would the entire world appear
TO him, IL he could view
through the light that reveia-
ton sheds upon IT, In that light TOO
there appears many flaws aud lmper-
fections IN the organization of human
society But there is also presented
remedy for all such,and the assurance Is
given, on the word Of omnlpotenee
that all will be restored to perfection In
due time, with the added assurance
that the work OF progression Is going on
daily. That Is what makes believers
in the Gospel optimists though they
may discover around them as many
evils. as does Tolstoi when he focuses
his mind upon the world in which he
lives. That is what makes them 90
to work, with cheerful hearts. for the
betterment Of mankind. They know
that every little thing done In this d.
rectlon will bear abundant fruit There
is a great difference between the phil-
osophy Of mere human origin and the
philosophy of the Gospel.
The great Russian has still much to
learn. Among other things, he should
acknowledge that wealth can be used
in the service Of mankind, just as well
as intellect; also that governments are
instituted by the Ruler of the universe,
and that there can be no order, no
progress, without proper government.
Tolstoi may not. in this life, advance
far enough to realize this. but he has
numerous followers, many of whom
are bright, young, and intelligent. He
has prepared good soil in which the
most precious seeds Of truth should
find nourlshment and growth, His lfe's
work cannot be In vain
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