Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-23
CHAPTER III

THE beginnings of the of Gregory Raspun srouded
of deep mystery He Siberia of small
village the government of TobOk called Pokrowskoe Some
people relate that when quite youth he compromised in
rh attracted attention at the murder of rich
merchant who travelling from Oms Tobols acquire from
!, nhabant of Tobok gold diggng which the latter
Wished dispose This merchant carry large sum
money and he reached his destination inquiries were
.rd At his body found with the head battered bv
blows hidden in ditch by the high road together of the
chman who had driven him. The never dscov
but dark rumorS concerning the participation of the youth
Rssputn in the deed spread all over the village
RaSputin's Start "Prophet"
Whether the desire put them or remorse for
an action of which he knew himself guilty it is difficult to
m the fact subsists that suddenly Grcha called
developed mystical tendencies and attending some religious
meetings which certain wandering pilgrim preach The
latter used from place place Siberia predicting the end
world and the advent of the dreaded day judgment when
Christ would once again appear to demand from humanity
account its various good bad actions. something like two
years Rasputn followed him, until last he began himself to
the character of lay preacher apply himself to the study
the Scriptures and to try to establish own the
principles of which he exposed his followers these terms
possessed of the Holy Spirit, is only through
that be saved In order do must unite
with body Everything which proceeds from
holy and cleans one from SIM"
On the strength of this theory Raspun that he could
whatever he liked wished He surrounded himself with wor
Slippers Of both sexes, who believed that by union with
him they could obtain their eternal salvation together with divine
forgiveness for sins they might have during their
previous existence
Strange began be related concerning the religious as
es at which the prophet presided But nevertheless
few years wanderngs accepted his teachings and submitted his
DEGREES with scarcely exceptions These unbeeves
upon akance by the majority of the inhabitants WHO
the monks" of fascination and hypnotism
nothing else that Rasputn kept his flock" subugated
uced them the cult of his person. together
rites which he called Sacrifice with prayer"
According to the narratives of people, who curiosity
had attended these ceremonies this is how they
night the first had become visible the SKIES
n with the help of his disciples, dragged into
deep ditch dug for the and lighted huge bonfire
tripod placed the midst of this fire put full of incense
harbc
themselves by the hand all the while and singing voice which
became louder and louder the wild exercise became and
more accelerated different hymns which always ended with the
phrase: Forgive sins, Lord forgive sins"
The dance went until people fell exhausted to the ground
and and tears replaced the former singing The fire died
out slowly and when the darkness had become complete the
voice Of Raspun heard calling his disciples proceed
the sacrifice which God required them perform Then followed
scene of general orgy
As one by this tale the strange practices introduced
the about whom people already beginning to talk
offered from those generally among the Khysty
and indeed Rasputn made of his allegiance to this
har form Of heresy which, however, he had introduced few
aon For instance he did admit that the souls of his
could be saved by general but only thanks to