The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-12-05
CHARACTER OF
Count TOLSTOI

their souls from the Judgment of
God, '" said Rev. ]. e Carver at the
Presbyterian church last night
Such wns the encyclicai issued by
and ordered 10 be read from the pul.
pits OF the Russian church TO prevent
a general celebration OF Tolstoi's
olghueth birthday two years ago.
And yet all the world fClt a deep
sense OF loss in the passing of this
great soul, the greatest ia all this
age is the almost universal verdict,
when his strenuous lie closed with
his recent tragic death. Somehow the
world, judging him by the frcshness
oil his writings. had come 10 look
upon him as young. A Russian in
name only. he belonged to all the
world, and his words. as none others
OF the last fifty years, have been read
b. the millions oil every nation Lit
orally hundreds of thousands of his
books have been printed in almost
every language For years every
thought he has given TO the public
has been given space IN all the papers
ol the world. and though few OF our
city have ready many OF his books, all
were interested and many deeply
grieyed who read In our papers the In
cidcnts Of his death SO great was
his hold upon the world that his own
rulers, though they hated him for
his Views and burned thousands OF
hls books, dared not touch the man.
What strange spectacle TO see this
man, whom millions looked upon as
sincere Christian, and who had suf-
IcTcd and struggled long for a strict
adherence to the literal word OF
Christ In national, social and personal
Nies end his days under the ban OF
the stnte church, as quoted above, and
denied a religious burial, With Tol.
stoi, ms with HusS, Savonarola and
L1timer this will only rebound TO his
fame
III you have ever read many Of his
writings, YOU know that the genius OF
Leo TolstoI speaks for itself, and IL
YOU have not, ] cannot portray il to
you, for I am concerned tonight with
portrayIne the life and lis environ
ment. only 10 show the den.h of its
religious faith. Tolstoi arose In time
of need, and out of the hard facts of
4 suffering people as have all the
religious leaders OF the past He was
Lorn near the geographical center OF
Russia. In the region where the
gloomy forests begin TO merge into
the rich wheat lands of the south. in
the year 1928. in an economic environ
meHt similar TO that of the southern
states before the war. only in Russia
the slaves were white, the climate
cold and the bonds Of slavery even
more doadening. as they were landed
ones He was OF The royal blood and
Inherited not only a large estate. but
n name renowned for services to the
crown Educated at the university at
KJZdD, he soon became a leading So
cinl figure in the new and old capital.
He served four years in the Caucasus
Sad commanded a battery at the Siege
Of SebaStopol and other prominent
engagements OF the Crimcan war
Then for time he wns an undcr-Soy-
eTnor in a province, but as his heart
had ever been drawn towards the op-
pressed of his people, he, In spite OF
protests OF friends and kindred, re-
signed all national honors, and in
small province established a free day
and night school, acting as principal.
leading teacher and financial support
or. From university days he had been
one of Russia's leading literary con-
tributors. and now he commenced to
write upon needed reforms in educa-
ttonal and economic lines as he
learned them from his school and posi-
ton as justice Then and there his
lifelong trouble started. He was
young. only about So. He had been a
welcome and desired guest among the
leaders OF church, state and society.
Now, when he dared suggest reform
and urge 1t In the press all turned
10 hate him, and his school was closed
by troops. his printing Office and
manual training department ruined
and he compelled to live in retire
Iuent Then he turned from the
classes to the masses. and for nearly
fifty years has written, not only Tor
Russia, but for the world, with a pur-
pose. His writings all have a vivid,
horrifying portrayal of Whatsoever
man soweth that shall he also reap"
with a large harvest Basic and com
mon moral religious and economic
truths are clearly taught. while the
interest Is held by tho greatest liter.
Hry talent OF his day. The language
and plot arc SO fascinating that those
who would turn from the preacher
are held by the story teller until they
have had the burning truth of the
moral fastened in their memory. For
instance, his gambling stories have
been most widely read by gamblers
because OF the perfect delineation.
though In these stories he lashes
gamblers and gambling numerically
In 1879 a beggar woman one evening
sought shelter at the door of San.
t:icf, peasant preacher who lived
near Tolstoi. She was given lodging,
ond in the morning. stealing all She
could from her beuetactor. went away
She was arrested and Saptalen sen;
for. Why have you arrested here he
asked, She IS a thief and should be
punished. they replied. Judge not
and you will not be Judged Santaien
answered; I'VE are all guilty at some
point. What Is the good of condemn
ing her? She will be put in prison
AZ what advantage will that be2 II
would be much better TO feed anc
clothe her and let her 20 in the grac,
OF Cod Tolstoi heard of 1t, anC
went TO see the peasant preacher
The result WAS the formation of Tol
stors religious Views. which may b,
summarized In a literal following o
Christs word. Resist not evil.' o.
4 DppgIyo submission He gave yo1r,