In the Land of Tolstoi / 80 (1897) Author: Jonas Jonsson Stadling Translator: Will Reason With: Gerda Tirén, Johan Tirén - Tema: Russia Table of Contents / Innehåll | << Previous | Next >>
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Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - VI. Spring Scenes in Samara

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together nearest the doors, and the men inside. They had been
told of our coming, and on our entrance rose together in
greeting; our coats were taken, and we ourselves led right through
and given seats at the table. Like most of the sectaries, the
appearance and demeanour of these powerfully-built, though now
emaciated folk, indicated a higher degree of intelligence and
culture than that of the Orthodox peasants generally.

As soon as we were settled, the congregation rose again, and
struck up a very strange kind of chant. The words were from
a chapter of the New Testament, read out verse by verse by one
of the leaders. The music was a kind of canon or round, of
which the motive remained the same, but which was subject to
variations to suit the different words of the text. Like all
Russian songs, it was in a minor strain, and made a deep
impression on me, despite its primitive, almost wild character.
These simple, wailing tunes have been shaped during centuries
of remorseless persecution, and express the striving after light
and freedom of many thousands of souls. They were now sung
with great feeling and life by the whole assembly. I give an
attempt at reproduction of the motive of the chant:—



After the singing, one of the leaders read Matt, xxv.,
containing the parables of Jesus concerning the Virgins and the
Talents, making short and practical comments as he read. Then
the meeting was open to all, and several of the older members
expressed their views tersely and to the point. I must say I found
this mode of proceeding more instructive and helpful than many
of the set theological sermons I have listened to, although these
mushiks, who had frequently taught themselves to read in
advanced years and under extreme difficulties, had no other
source of instruction than the Bible and their observation of

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