The state herald., 1912-07-19

property of his own, even OF purely
transitory kind, such as bed or a
suit of clothes. They have all in com
mon, and they have not that nicely or
necessity of privacy which would com
pei an Engli9h an to claim the right
TO wear the same coat and trousers
two days running. But the monks are
even ditiident OF claiming their own
separate mugs and plates at table, and
are unoffended by miscellaneous eat
ing and drinking from one anothers
dishes. Everyone is the servant OF all,
and without hypocrisy, not only in act
bat in sentiment and prayer Wher
ever | went / found the tone rang
true.
Day Begins at Midnight.
This fair exterior glory seems to
spring from strong inner life Reli-
gious life in the Holy Orthodox
Church, with its many ordinances and
its extraordinary proximity to every
day life, II allowed to be monoto-
nous and humdrum. Each day at New
Athos is beautiful in itself and II a
monks life were made into a book of
such days, one would not turn over
two pages at once.
The day begins at midnight. when
to the occasional melancholy chime of
the cathedral bell the brothers move
to the first service of the morning
On my second night at Atom ! wax.
ened at the prayer bell and Joined the
monks at their service. In the sky
was faint glimmer as OF morning.
The monastery. respl rndent with mar
bic and silver by day, was now meek
and white in the dark bosom OF the
mountain, and shining like u candle
In the church. as II confirming the i'm
preston. was but one dim light--the
clergy, the monks. the faces of the
holy lkons. all were shadows. and
from distance cane hollow shadow
music. the sound n the breaking OF
the waves. II was the stlll night OF
the heart. where the Dove yet broods
over the waters. and life Is only Just
begun. AT that service a day began.
small life.
returned to our rooms. morning had
advanced a snail step: the stars were
paler. one Just made out the contour
OF the shadowy crngs above US. Just
a little sleep, and then time TO rise
and wash for breakfast. The monks in
charge OF the kitchen must be up some
time before the rest OF US. At eight
o'clock the morning service com.
mences. and every monk must attend.
Then each man goes TO his work. some
to the carpentry sheds. others to tho
unfinished buildings. to the brick
works. the bas':et works. the cattle
yards. the orchards and gardens.
laundrics. leather works. etc: the
tenchers TO the schools, where the lit.
tie Caucasian children are taught. the
abbot TO his cell, where he receives
the brothers in turn. hears any confes.
sion they may wish to make and gives
advice In any sorrow that may have
come upon any OF thom. The old ab.
bot is greatly beloved. and the monks
have childre0's hearts. Again In the
evening the day is concluded In song
and prayer Such Is the monastery
day.
II IL modern Institution withal:
something young, Of only thirty years
standing. though built on the site Of
an ancient cathedral Russians pride
themselves on that that they have
no past, but only future. The
fourth century ruins OF the old cathc-
dpl and the bpttlcments OF lyor are
indeed Of great interest aud many
people climb tho two thousand feet
high orng 20 look out from the ancient
watch tower. But tho attitude OF the
monastery N well explained In the
words " n monk
People come here 10 worship God.
and we stand here as witness OF
God. 10 pray continually for tho com.
Ing Of the Kingdom and 10 sueeor
those who come to uh. II would be-
sign Of dlsrcapoct 20 our church II
people came here merely 10 sec tho
ancient remains"