The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-12-02

Of Russian pilgrims who annually were
accustomed "a 30 20 the Holy Land. eN'
hibited the same trait.
Three of the mos; admirable % the
Russian sects have been iikened 10 the
Quakers the PresbyteIians and the
Haptlsts These are Bible raading seek
err after spiritual truth whom the
elaborate forms % the old church did
not satisfy. Best known % these Ia
Canada and the United States are ,he
uoukhohors who. under the stress %
ferce persecut!on, aud aided bf Fhlln'
de!phia Quakers. emigratei % Canada.
After trying times they have settled
down into prosperous communities. ana
are valued citizens They have mysil'
cal elements On their belief. such a. the
doctrine of the Inner Light. which. Ike
their practice of non-resistance. they
hold On common with the Society of
Friends: but essentially IL Is the ethical
side % religion that appeals 20 them.
They entirely repudate the h!erarchi'
cal and slceradotal system of the or
thodoN church. and their name mems
"Splrit-wresiis-s' which term indicate
their opposition 20 rites and ceremon-
les
Somewhat similar 20 the Doukhobors
are the Mo.1kaLs, VINO N.esc -een c1llei
the Russian Presbyter.lns because OF
the similarity of their doctrines and
practices o. tEat Protestant body. They
rely entirely upon the Bible. and reject
icons. and crossings and the other char
acteristic forms Of Russian worship.
In the same category are the much
persecuted Siundists. or Baptists, who
are the only one of these larger sects
known 20 have a western origin. They
developed in a German colony near
Odessa. among people who called them.
selves simply the Friends of God
Their principles are essentially those
Of western eyancelic Christianity, Of the
BAPTIST type and they have always
shown marked missionary fervor. Per
secution has scattered them far and
wide in Russia, and one historian says.
the SEui.Sts are sober. frugal IN
dustrious psaceable people. obedient 10
the laws and exact in the payment OF
taxes AIl Of these there groups OF
spiritual seekers after light and life have
won golden opinions concerning their
character. Many there are " no expect
that the next Development OF Russian
religious interest VIII be In ;re form OF
extensions OF these groups. now tha,
the ban q official persecution has been
removed from them
What Of American Proselytes?
Right here arises a delicate question.
upon which il Is not pleasant 70 speak
candiiiy Already the American Bap-
lists have number Of churches In this
country. and so far j. the principle u
indiyidUa.isrn carried among :aem snat
I have been told Of one small town
in which there are six varieties Of
Baptist churcheH Several Americans
in Russia have spoken 10 me OF the
tendency Of the Baptist missionaries TO
provoke difficulties with the authorities.
There j. also a Methodist Episcopal pro
paganda. centering in Petrograd, in
charge Of Rev. George Simonds The
manifest needs OF the Russian church.
and the equally patent desire -or a SIN
pier form Of Christianity on the part Of
many Russians. has been the warrant
Of those who have carried these mis-
sions" into Russia
Aside from those persons officially
connected with the Methodist and Bap-
tist propaganda. I have hear- only one
opinion in Russia. from Americans as
well as from progressive Russians. con-
cerning the desirability OF the projec
ton of American denominations into