THE CREED OF THE STUNDISTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 50

THE CREED OF THE STUNDISTS.

The Stundists, who since 1870 bave been the epecial object of persecution by the Orthodox Church of Russia, are an evangelical and Protestant Church of reformed tendencies. In the Lord* Sapper they see

only a memorial feast, and moat of them reject; infant baptism. In fact, not a few of them will have nothing to do with the sacraments at all. Their all in all is the Bible, which they study moßt diligently, hoth at home and at their meeting*. Since 1864 'they have published tbe New Testament in a pocket edition, and this is found in everybody's possession. They are not BkSUed theologians, and as a consequence indulge in Borne religious peculiarities. They refine to take part in war, and regard the taking of interest as sin. They are also not satisfied with the existing agrarian property laws, •and nndoubteaiy their ideas in this regard furnish the authorities with -the basis lor -considering the Stnndists in the light of a oommunietio or even an anarchistic sect. And yet tbe Czar has no subjects so industrious, so moral, so order-loving and peaceful as are the Stnndists. They are noted ior their cleanliness, honesty, and temperance. From tbe very outset they have .banished that curse of the Russian peasant — intoxicating liquors. The Stuntlists have no common confession of faith. Tbey acknowledge only tbe Bible, in the interpretation of T\rbicb, however, they do not entirely agree. Tney also bave a fixed organisation. In accordance with the Biblical precedent, they have presbyters and elders at the head of their congregations, for which offices they select older and experienced men. These take the lead in public services and officiate at m images and fanerals. Although not theologically ectaoatecl, they are expected to be thoroughly at home in the Scriptures. These officers, too, are enjoined to visit the congregation and further the unity of the Spirit. Subordinate to them are the deaoong, usually active young men, who occasionally take the place of the elders in the conduot of public worship. They also keep the xeoords of the congregations and look to the needs of the

young and of the sick. Naturally f'ese j eldera and deaoons do not cone>i<uf><) a] clerical order, but they labour with their hands, and serve in the congregation without \ any remuneration. This organisation has been seriously disturbed by the persecutions of, recent years, as the Russian S;ato and Church authorities aimed their blows first and foremost at the leadsrs of the Scundists. '

The public services of the Stundists are unique. They bave no regular churches, but worship jn some hall, or generally in tha largest room of some private house. At one end there is a table and a chair for the elder. When the members enter they salute each other with the kiss of fraternal love. Women and men sit apart. Then a hymn is sung, and it is claimed by those who have attended that the, siugicg of the Stundiats is eepe.cially good. Some of the hymns have been translated into English. After the hymn the elder reads a chapter out of the Bible and explains it, and each one present is privileged to make remarks. The women, ia compliance with St. Panl's injunction, are required to be silent auditors. They, however, are allowed to pray in po£>'ic, which is always done in a kneeling posture. The Berviceß are closed with the Lord's Prayer.

Very significant is the Stundist order of marriage. The parents of the bride and bridegroom present the couple to the elder. • The bride is first asked if she wishes to enter the estate of holy matrimony with this yonng man, and if ehe loves him, aud if ehe is taking this step of her own free will and under no compulsion, not even that of her parents. When the bridegroom has answered similar questions a hymn is sung and a prayer is spoken. Then the elder tells the couple to embrace each other and to grasp the right hands. This ends the ceremony. Of course this ceremony is not rscogniged by tbe law of Russia, as only the Russian Church can legally perform this ceremony. - '