RUSSIAN CHRISTIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20966, 4 March 1930, Page 9

RUSSIAN CHRISTIANS

INTERCESSION SERVICES. THE GOVERNMENT’S BAN. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, March 2. The Sunday Graphic says that, following the Government’s decision to ban the intercession services on behalf of persecuted Russian Christians, it is understood that the Conservatives are moving an adjournment of the House of Commons tomorrow in order to draw attention to this matter.

Mr A. V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty) was interviewed and said that the Government only decided, after consulting the Fleet Chaplain, who fully agreed. “Mr MacDonald is in complete sympathy* with my statement in the House of Commons because there is no objection to voluntary services if desired.”

DR CARLILE’S ATTITUDE. ,

WILL DEFY THE ORDER,

LONDON, March 2. (Received March 3, at 11 p.m.) The Daily Mail says that Dr John Carlilo, ex-president of the Baptist Union, who is now officiating as chaplain in the Royal Air Force, has decided to ignore the Army Council order that chaplains should not offer prayers for persecuted Russians. He says: “I am a chaplain, and I shall offer prayers on March 16. Hi's Majesty’s Government can take my wings and do what it likes therewith. I am perfectly sure that hundreds of chaplains will take up that position, and I most respectfully suggest that the Govrennjent should immediately withdraw the order. It is a colossal blunder and an offence against England’s free churches.^

RUSSIAN WOMAN’S CHOICE,

WILL FOLLOW HER SONS,

LONDON, March 1, A mother, who is an ardent believer in God, but prefers to follow her atheist sons to hell, is the latest discovery in the course of the investigations into the antireligious campaign in Russia. She* l is Praskovia Stepanova, an elderly peasant, living in a single room, in which there arc several ikons. She 'says; “ I have four sons, all of whom are Communists. They make fun of my ikons, and 1 scold them.” When asked: “Are you not ashamed to be the only member of the household who sticks to religion?” the woman replied; “ I am going to burn the ikons directly. I shall be able to replace them with pictures of “Lenin and other revolutionary leaders. The priests say my sons wilt go to hell because they are godless. I love my sons, and I want to go with them." >

The correspondent says it is believed that there are thousands, perhaps millions, of Praskovias in Russia. It is a mistake to believe; that the Bolshevists’ atto eradicate religion is merely destructive. The Soviet is endeavouring to instil the spirit of self-sacrifice into the individual for the benefit of the masses.