登陆注册
5382300000110

第110章 CHAPTER XVII(1)

AMONG THE HERETICS

The Molokanye--My Method of Investigation--Alexandrof-Hai--An Unexpected Theological Discussion--Doctrines and Ecclesiastical Organisation of the Molokanye--Moral Supervision and Mutual Assistance--History of the Sect--A False Prophet--Utilitarian Christianity--Classification of the Fantastic Sects--The "Khlysti"--

Policy of the Government towards Sectarianism--Two Kinds of Heresy--Probable Future of the Heretical Sects--Political Disaffection.

Whilst travelling on the Steppe I heard a great deal about a peculiar religious sect called the Molokanye, and I felt interested in them because their religious belief, whatever it was, seemed to have a beneficial influence on their material welfare. Of the same race and placed in the same conditions as the Orthodox peasantry around them, they were undoubtedly better housed, better clad, more punctual in the payment of their taxes, and, in a word, more prosperous. All my informants agreed in describing them as quiet, decent, sober people; but regarding their religious doctrines the evidence was vague and contradictory. Some described them as Protestants or Lutherans, whilst others believed them to be the last remnants of a curious heretical sect which existed in the early Christian Church.

Desirous of obtaining clear notions on the subject, I determined to investigate the matter for myself. At first I found this to be no easy task. In the villages through which I passed I found numerous members of the sect, but they all showed a decided repugnance to speak about their religious beliefs. Long accustomed to extortion and persecution at the hands of the Administration, and suspecting me to be a secret agent of the Government, they carefully avoided speaking on any subject beyond the state of the weather and the prospects of the harvest, and replied to my questions on other topics as if they had been standing before a Grand Inquisitor.

A few unsuccessful attempts convinced me that it would be impossible to extract from them their religious beliefs by direct questioning. I adopted, therefore, a different system of tactics.

From meagre replies already received I had discovered that their doctrine had at least a superficial resemblance to Presbyterianism, and from former experience I was aware that the curiosity of intelligent Russian peasants is easily excited by descriptions of foreign countries. On these two facts I based my plan of campaign.

When I found a Molokan, or some one whom I suspected to be such, I

talked for some time about the weather and the crops, as if I had no ulterior object in view. Having fully discussed this matter, I

led the conversation gradually from the weather and crops in Russia to the weather and crops in Scotland, and then passed slowly from Scotch agriculture to the Scotch Presbyterian Church. On nearly every occasion this policy succeeded. When the peasant heard that there was a country where the people interpreted the Scriptures for themselves, had no bishops, and considered the veneration of Icons as idolatry, he invariably listened with profound attention; and when he learned further that in that wonderful country the parishes annually sent deputies to an assembly in which all matters pertaining to the Church were freely and publicly discussed, he almost always gave free expression to his astonishment, and I had to answer a whole volley of questions. "Where is that country?"

"Is it to the east, or the west?" "Is it very far away?" "If our Presbyter could only hear all that!"

This last expression was precisely what I wanted, because it gave me an opportunity of making the acquaintance of the Presbyter, or pastor, without seeming to desire it; and I knew that a conversation with that personage, who is always an uneducated peasant like the others, but is generally more intelligent and better acquainted with religious doctrine, would certainly be of use to me. On more than one occasion I spent a great part of the night with a Presbyter, and thereby learned much concerning the religious beliefs and practices of the sect. After these interviews I was sure to be treated with confidence and respect by all the Molokanye in the village, and recommended to the brethren of the faith in the neighbouring villages through which I intended to pass. Several of the more intelligent peasants with whom I

spoke advised me strongly to visit Alexandrof-Hai, a village situated on the borders of the Kirghiz Steppe. "We are dark [i.e., ignorant] people here," they were wont to say, "and do not know anything, but in Alexandrof-Hai you will find those who know the faith, and they will discuss with you." This prediction was fulfilled in a somewhat unexpected way.

同类推荐
  • 哭麻处士

    哭麻处士

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 茯苓仙传奇

    茯苓仙传奇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Hated Son

    The Hated Son

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 耄余杂识

    耄余杂识

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 訄书

    訄书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 妃常难寻之帝君追妻

    妃常难寻之帝君追妻

    一次不经意的野外旅行,一个迷迭花般的古老手镯不经意的出现,一个不小心让姚蒸蒸穿越了异时空!吃美食、遇美男、上战场、救死扶伤,这是一场意外还是幂幂之中的注定?一系列的奇遇与陷阱,到底是福是祸呢?一代枭雄流凌翼择伏于博源书院,不平凡的出身,不平凡的经历,注定了成就非凡的一代帝王。少年时候的他们,年轻气盛、意气风华。成熟后的他们,已是片片沧茫,身不由己。但任由沧海桑田、斗转星移,他总是愿意为她停留。权利、阴谋、野心之中,爱该如何在它们的夹缝中生存?他们之间的相识、相知、相思、相忘中又辗转了多少个逝水年华?平静温和的异时空里又隐藏着怎样的刀光剑影?待繁华落尽之时,爱又该何去何从......
  • 克罗地亚远古传说

    克罗地亚远古传说

    《克罗地亚远古传说》由六个短故事构成。虽然叫做“远古传说”,但实际上是全新创作的童话故事。故事中交织着远古斯拉夫神话的元素,被认为是作者的巅峰之作,时常与安徒生和托尔金的作品相比较。1924年,此书的英译本由George Allen & Unwin公司出版,《霍比特人》和《指环王》最早也是由该公司出版的,至今依然是作者最受欢迎的作品。本次翻译的是此书的英译本。
  • 廿一史弹词

    廿一史弹词

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 愤怒之乡

    愤怒之乡

    那年秋天,我们五仓村成了一个愤怒的村庄,这都是由于我的姐姐杨小凤。我姐姐是个腼腆而不爱说话的姑娘,她和村子里其他的姑娘没什么两样,她们都在杨子彪的轴承厂上班。她身上有一股混合了香水和机油的味道,那股味道一到吃饭的时候就冒出来,直扑我的鼻子,为此,我没少和她吵嘴。吵归吵,我姐姐,仍然要在身上洒很多很多的劣质香水,以便把轴承厂的机油味掩盖住。我姐姐长得很白,稍微有一点情绪激动,她就爱脸红。但是那个秋天,她的脸始终是阴沉着的。我的姐姐,她年轻的生命在寒冷到来之前,提前进入了冬天。
  • 中医药与中西医结合政策手册

    中医药与中西医结合政策手册

    为了进一步落实卫生部、国家中医药管理局关于三级甲等中西医结合医院建设的有关文件精神,发挥中西医结合医院的服务特色,提升科学化、规范化、精细化管理水平,经过精心遴选,我们编写了《中医药与中西医结合政策手册》。本书依据三级甲等中西医结合医院评审要求,汇集了近年来国务院、卫生部、国家中医药管理局公开下发的相关文件,以发挥中医药特色、中医药文化建设、科室建设为重点,便于医院领导、各职能科室、临床医技科室负责人系统掌握中医药和中西医结合政策、中医药和中西医结合知识及管理知识,同时,也可作为医院及科室开展中医药及中西医结合相关工作的依据,增加医院日常管理及监督考核的针对性和客观性。
  • 冷颜杀手

    冷颜杀手

    他,本是无情杀手,却为她百般柔情;他,坐拥天下,却唯独得不到她的心;他,为她付出所有,却最终选择孤身离去;他,一直默默守护,却始终不愿接受她勉强的爱情;他,为得天下不择手段,却还是逃不出她的情劫……
  • 打捞激情

    打捞激情

    你想偷窥大海裙下风光吗?除了色彩斑斓的珊瑚,还有意想不到的沉船珠宝。还是
  • 玄门都市

    玄门都市

    末法时代小人物周德偶得一枚神奇的玉佩,本来以为只是玩玩风水,却意外获得修炼功夫撞进了一个波澜诡谲修仙世界,由此揭开了一个个神秘千古修仙迷局!
  • 潘宫的预言7:暗黑神的黄金手杖

    潘宫的预言7:暗黑神的黄金手杖

    为了应对波塞冬的邪恶入侵,X基地举行了盛大的联合军演。在演习中,斗鱼操控的战机遭遇不明袭击,坠落至人迹罕至的两界山。行进在黑森林里,几乎每走一步都会遇到九死一生的危险。深夜,一群鲁猴进化成凶狠异常的食人兽,朝大家龇牙咧嘴袭来。斗鱼和他的小伙伴们被迫躲进阴森的地下坑道。漆黑寂静的坑道内,悄然隐现无数闪着青光的冷兵器。难道是地底亡灵们全都复活了?面对脚下的万丈深渊,伙伴们不由打起寒颤。是该顺从自己的意志无畏向前,还是就此退缩打道回府?寻找灵戒以来最为艰苦的一场战役,让我们给予冒险小分队更多的勇气和力量吧!
  • 我的温暖你的沉默

    我的温暖你的沉默

    一场阴谋诡计,让原本是千金的尹温暖从此变成了一个普通人,自己的青梅竹马沈沉默也被自己气出了国。几年后,沈沉默归来,一场为了改变尹温暖的追求迅速展开,让“沉默”的温暖真正变成了他沉默的尹温暖。【男女主双洁,青梅竹马,男强女强,1v1,是宠文哦~】