Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Omsk to Tobolsk to acquire from an in
habitant of Tobolsk some gold diggings,
of which the latter wished to dispose.
This merchant was known to carry
large sum of money, and as he never
reached his destination inquiries were
started. At last his body was found,
with the head battered by blows, hid
den in a ditch by the high road, to-
gether with that of the coachman who
had driven him. The murderers were
never discovered, but dark TumOrs con-
corning the participation of the youth
Rasputin in the deed spread all over the
village.
Whether il was the desire to put an
end to them. or remorse for an action
of which he knew himself to be guilty
it is difficult to say. but the fact sub
sists that suddenly Grischa, as he was
called, developed mystical tendencies
and took to attending some religious
meetings at which a certain wandering
pilgrim used to preach. The latter used
to go from place to place in Siberia
predicting the end of the world and
the advent of the dreadful day of judg-
ment, when Christ would once again
appear to demand from humanity an
account of it's various good or bad ac-
lions. For something like two years
Rasputin followed him, until at last he
began himself to assume the character
of a lay preacher, to apply himself 10
the study of the Scriptures and to try
to establish a sect of his own, the prin-
ciples of which he exposed to his fol-
lowers in these terms;
81 am possessed Of the Holy Spirit.
and it is only through me that one can
be saved In order TO do so, one must
unite oneself with me in body and soul.
Everything which proceeds from me is
holy, and cleans one from sim
On the strength of this theory, Ras-
putin declared that he could do what
ever he liked or wished. He surrounded
himself with worshippers of both sexes,
who believed that by a close union with
him they could obtain their eternal sal
walton, together with divine forgive
ness for any sins they might have
committed during their previous exist
ence.
Strange tales began to be related con-
corning the religious assemblies at
which the new prophet presided. But,
nevertheless, the whole village of
Pokrowskoie, whittier he had returned
after his few years wanderings, &C
cepted his teachings and submitted to
his DEGREES with scarcely any excep-
tions These unbelievers were looked
inhabitats, who had succumbed to the
monks" power of fascination and hyp-
notism. 1t was with nothing else that
Rasputin kept his flock" subjugated.
He introduced among them the cult of
his own person, together with certain
rites which he called SACRIFICES with
prayer"
According to the narratives of some
people, who out of curiosity had at
tended these ceremonies, this is how
they proceeded: In the night, as soon
as the first stars had become visible in
the skies, Rasputin, with the help OF
his disciples, dragged some wood into
a deep ditch dug for the purpose and
lighted a huge bonfire. On tripod
placed in the midst of this fire was put
a cup full of incense and different
herbs, around which people began 10
dance, holding themselves by the hand
all the while. and singing in voice
which became louder and louder as the
wild exercises became more and more
accelerated different hymns which al
ways ended with the phrase: Forgive
us our sins, o Lord, forgive us our
eli