A DISCIPLE OF COUNT TOLSTOI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4254, 3 July 1895, Page 6

A DISCIPLE OF COUNT TOLSTOI.

There is in the May number of the ' Sunday at Home ' an interesting sketch of Prince Dimitri Khilkov, y. young man in the forties who inherited large estates from his ancestors, but who several years ago became a disciple of Count Tolstoi. Like the Count, he concluded that the life he was living as a wealthy and privileged person, surrounded by peasants wallowing in ignorance and untold misery, was opposed to reason as well as to the dictates of his conscience and the teachings of Christ. He consequently distributed his large estates and other property among the peasants, keeping only seven hectares of land to himself, not as his property, but only for his use, for which he paid taxes, and on the produce of which he supported his family. Dressed as a muzhik, the young Prince now led the life of a peasant, sharing the toils and sufferings of those around him, and in every way trying to help and elevate them. He walked about among the muzhiks reading to them from the New Testament, showing them a better way and a happier life, advising and helping them morally, as he had already helped them economically. And what were the results? The entire district was reformed. Drunkenness and crime, which formerly were common, almost disappeared, and peace and goodwill were established among the people. A few years before, indeed, such was the condition of the district that it was dangerous for any stranger to travel there. The actions of Prince Khilkov soon attracted the attention of the Russian authorities, with the usual result. Two years ago a police officer and ten armed men appeared in his village, and a Ministerial order was read to him, from which he learned that he was to be banished to Transcaucasia for five years "by administrative measure" — that is, without legal trial and sentence. This order was carried out ruthlessly some time afterwards. He was joined by his wife and children later, and in Transcaucasia they remain laboring for their support, but helping their unfortunate neighbors as much as circumstances will permit.