If this gentleman’s story is correct, and it was corroborated by others, the Russian persecution of the Polish Catholics is not entirely without reason.

Among the dissenters in the Greek church there is a body called Staroviersty (Old Believers).  The difference between them and the adherents of the orthodox faith is more ritualistic than doctrinal.  Both make the sign of the cross, though each has its own way of holding the fingers in the operation.  The Staroviersty do not use tobacco in any form, and their mode of life is generally quite rigid.  Under Catherine and Paul they were persecuted, and, as a matter of course, increased their numbers rapidly.  For the past sixty years oppression has been removed, and they have done pretty nearly as they liked.  They are found in all parts of the empire, but are most numerous in the vicinity of the Ural mountains.

Russia has its share of fanatical sects, some of whom push their religion to a wonderful extreme.  One sect has a way of sacrificing children by a sort of slow torture in no way commendable.  Another sect makes a burnt offering of some of its adherents, who are selected by lot.  They enter a house prepared for the occasion, and begin a service of singing and prayer.  After a time spent in devotions, the building is set on fire and consumed with its occupants.  Another sect which is mentioned elsewhere practices the mutilation of masculine believers, and steals children for adoption into their families.  Against all these fanatics the government exercises its despotic power.

The peasants are generally very devout, and keep all the days of the church with becoming reverence.  There is a story that a moujik waylaid and killed a traveler, and while rifling the pockets of his victim found a cake containing meat.  Though very hungry he would not eat the cake, because meat was forbidden in the fast then in force.

[Illustration:  RUSSIAN PRIEST.]

The government is endeavoring to diminish the power and influence of the priests, and the number of saints’ days, when men must abstain from, labor.  Heretofore the priests have enjoyed the privilege of recruiting the clergy from their own members.  When a village priest died his office fell to his son, and if he had no male heir the revenues went to his eldest daughter until some priest married her and took charge of the parish.  By special order of the emperor any vacancy is hereafter to be filled by the most deserving candidate.

It is said that during the Crimean war the governor of Moscow notified the pastor of the English church in that city that the prayer for the success of Her Brittanic Majesty’s armies must be omitted.  The pastor appealed to the emperor, who replied that prayers of regular form might continue to be read, no matter what they contained.  The governor made no further interference.