Religious Persecution in Russia.

Manawatu Herald, 12 February 1895, Page 3

Religious Persecution in Russia.

» The Czar's reign has not begun auspiciously for religious freedom in Russia. The new Czar appears to be no improvement upon his father in this respect. The Odessa corres pondent of the London Daily Ifews writes : — " The new measures enacted against the Stundists by the Minister of the Interior have made a bad impression upon all liberal minded and tolerant Russians, who, under the new regime, looked rather for the removal of the disabilities under which these and other Nonconformists have suffered. It is difficult to understand how the Minister can describe the Stundists as most dangerous to the Church and State. The Stundists are quite as loyal as their Orthodox neighbours Obedience to the civil Powers is inculcated as a tenet of their puritan creed. In the manner of their lives they set the most beneficial example to their neighbours. Their industry, sobriety and morality are beyond question. They do not proselytize. Those who join their sect do so vol*. untarily, and out of admiration and respect for their many virtues. Their example has proved the salvation of thousands of their degraded Orthodox neighbours, who have never thought of abandoning their own faith. From a social, moral, and material point of view it would be well if there were twenty thousand Stundists in every Government of Russia. By precept and example they would do infinitely more for the regeneration of the ignorant and improvident Mujik than ever the sluggish clergy of the State Church will effect. The Stundists in this city, who are not very numerous, have for some time past been in the habit of meeting in suburban stone quarries for their prayer services, but the police have tracked them out, and there is an end to their meetings anywhere. The promulgation of M. Durnovo's edict is the first blot on the new regime. It were well if it were the last."