ffer our
brethren the same assurance of pardon and salvation which we had
ourselves received. Hitherto the progress of our creed had received no
interruption from the Government authorities. We had worked silently
and quietly; even the priests knew nothing of the movement going on. We
were well assured that, should they discover it, they would oppose us
with all their power. We were, therefore, allowed to continue on
without persecution. By degrees, however, our doctrines began to make
progress among persons of a higher grade. An earnest, piously-minded
land-steward had a Bible lent him by a peasant; he expressed his
satisfaction at reading it, and was at last invited to attend one of our
meetings. He came, and his heart was turned to the right way. For many
months he worshipped with us, and at length the owner of the estate he
managed came to live on his property. He was an officer in the army,
who had seen much service in the Caucasus fighting against the
Circassians. He had the character of being a brave and a stern man in
the army. His serfs always found him a kind though a strict master--not
indulgent, but just. To his master the steward was induced, after some
time, to open the secret of his heart, and he at length persuaded him to
study the Bible. The master read and read on. He became convinced of
the errors of the Greek Church, and joined our fraternity. Truly as a
brother, humble and lowly in his own sight, he moved among us.

"The truth had now spread widely; many thousands believed and worshipped
with us, and we began to hope that the pure doctrines of Christianity
might extend over the face of our beloved country. Alas! We deceived
ourselves. We forgot that times of persecution, trial, and suffering
must ever be looked for by God's saints on earth.

"At length, as was to be expected, some of the Government officials got
notice of our meetings. One night a congregation of us were assembled
for prayer and instruction in the word in a rude hut constructed by us
far away in the depths of a forest,--the only temple we dared raise to
our God,--when we were startled by hearing the trampling of steeds and
the crashing of boughs. Before we could rise from our knees, a party of
police, headed by a priest and two of the neighbouring landowners,
rushed in upon us. Some attempted to fly, others stood boldly up to
confront our persecutors; but neither would it have been right or wise,
or of any avai