The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-11-24
his brother to the Caucasus. He
fought in the Crtmean war, and at
Its close resigned his commission and
devoted himself to literature.

Its close resigned his commission and
devoted himself to literature.
Though his writings kept him busy
he nevertheless found time to work
out numerous schemes for the bet
terment Of the condition Of the Rus
sian masses. He organized peasant
schools on a new and original edu-
cational basis, co-operated In the
Improvement of cheap popular pub
LEGATIONS, organized relief for the
famine sufferers of Middle Russia in
the early nineties, and ten years ago
renowned all his property in copy
right, lands and money in order tint
the people might be benefited.
anna Marenina," written in 1S6.
is pronounced Tolstoi's masterpiece.
OF Anna herself George Meredith
says she is the most perfectly de-
picted female character in ali Rc.
ton. Prior to writing Cam Maren-
ina" Tolstoi brought out War and
Peace" 1t deals with the invasion
of Russia by Napoleon.
Tofstof gave himself up to social
problems. with the hope OF supply
Ing mankind with a better moral and
religious philosophy than that
which now obtains in the world.
"kreutzer Sonata" appeared in 1890,
presenting a certain theory Of NOR
ais. which SO shocked some eminent
Christians in America that It was
"raided" by the authorities.
The Kingdom of God Within U.s."
ritten In 1898, was a passionate
defense Of Tolstoi's favorite doc
trines. 1t borders on sensationalism
In Its outspoken, fearless attacks on
all social conventionalities. Otker
we'll known works of T6lstoi are:
THE 1lyitch," What 10 Religion!"
and ''The Power of Darkness"
From the early 10's until his
death Tolstof was . most prolific
writer. HIS writing consist Of nov
els, stories, works, esasys and arti-
cles of an advanced, radical, and
Christian character, on religious,
ethical, philosophical, economical.
political and social problems.
Tolstoi believed I nthe literalness
of the words Of Jesus. He held that
the only rule Of life is to precise liv-
ing up to the maxims Of the Sermon
on the Mount.
In his novel entitled ''The Resur-
rection," Count Tolstoi expressly de-
MED some Of the doctrines Of the
Orthodox State Church Of Russia. In
consequence he was exc0mmunicat-
ed from the holy synod, which In
March, 1901, isued a formal an
as follows:
II ntts solicitude for the children
OF the Orthodox Church, to guard
them from being led into corruption
and in order to saw those who have
gone sastray, the holy synod has de-
liberated upon the anti-Christian and
snti-ecclesiastioal teachings Of Count
Leo Tolstoi and has deemed 1t expe-
dent, in order to preserve the peace
Of the church, to issue q circular
with the heresies Of Count
Tolstoi. The circular is as follows:
"'County Leo Tolstoi, to the grief
and horror Of the whole orthodox
world, has. by speech and writing.
unceasingly- striyen to separate him-
self from an. ..commnainn. with. tho
orthodox church. 2nd this now only
clandesttnely but. openly and In tho
knowledge Of all persons. Ali at-
cOduct have proved without avail.
longer considers him to be one 81
it's members, and cannot regard him
as such so;long as he does not repent
and does not become reconciled to
the church.
We. therefore. place on record
his, apostasy from the church and
pray the Lord to restore him to .
comprehension Of the truth. We
praYlThee. .therefose,.o metcifnl God.
, xso does g not Ss.s s. 'sss ss1. d Ssls, ,o IS (
him and restore him TO Thy holy
nv Toistoi Is survived s. The Countess,
to whom he was married In 1851.
and by several sons and daughters.