L. A. S by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1902

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

The Doukhobor pilgrimage through Manitoba, which recently engaged the attention of people in this portion of the civilized world, and was brought to a forcible termination by the Canadian officials, exemplifies a conception of Christianity which was characteristic of mediæval times. Religion, by this conception, does not consist in useful activity, but rather in a disregard of the things which are most essential to the material prosperity of a people, as being opposed to the spiritual interests of the soul. The Doukhobors left their homes, where they had been engaged in the useful occupation of tilling the soil, from which they derived a comfortable support, and set out afoot on an aimless journey through the wilderness “to find Jesus.” Most of them were barefooted and clad only in cotton garments, since they did not believe in wearing the skin or the wool of animals, and in this condition they wandered on through a bleak, barren region, swept by the cold winds and storms of advancing winter, sustained only by religious enthusiasm. “No one can read the accounts given by the newspaper correspondents of the marching Doukhobors,” says a Toronto paper, “without a strong feeling of pity for the misguided people. . . . ‘Where are your boots?’ was asked of the wild-eyed leader, who is called ‘John the Baptist,’ and who had thrown away his footgear. ‘Jesus had no boots,’ was the quiet answer. ‘But your feet will get cold!’ ‘Jesus keeps my feet warm!’ was the reply. And then occasionally he stops and cries out: ‘I see him! I see Jesus! He is coming! He is here!’ At such exclamations a flutter of expectancy runs through the daft and melancholy procession, and for a minute or two it stands still, only to resume its dreary march when assured by the clearest evidence that John the Baptist is once more mistaken. Fortunately,” it adds, “the authorities have at length put an end to the childish exhibition; and it is to be hoped that the poor wretches, having been with much persuasion and some little force taken back to their families and homes, will once more begin to appreciate the advantages of civilized life.”

To understand the causes which gave rise to this singular religious exhibition, it would be necessary to go back to the conditions that surrounded these people in the despotic country from which they came. In view of the extreme oppression to which they were subjected in their native land, it is possible to understand their extreme regard for freedom which led them to refuse to put a yoke upon even domestic animals. Fanaticism is a natural product of oppression coupled with ignorance. This unfortunate combination was the inheritance of the people of the Middle Ages, the history of which abounds with manifestations of misguided religious zeal. The Doukhobors, unable to shake off in their new home the influence fastened upon them by their mediæval environment in Russia, were actuated by mediæval conceptions of religious duty, which led them to disregard the material things of this life, and undergo a sort of physical penance, for the supposed welfare of their souls.

The true conception of Christianity, which is being given to the world in these last days, reveals Jesus Christ in every sphere of natural, useful activity in this life. It sets no value upon neglect of the body, upon any kind of penance, or upon disregard of the duties pertaining to any sphere of usefulness. On the contrary, it teaches regard for physical health as a necessary care of the temple of the Holy Spirit, and proclaims that the only truly Christian life is a life of service. It sets a value upon consecrated activity in the practical things of life. It leads no one into a long, mystical search to find salvation, but reveals salvation at hand to every person willing to see with the eye of faith.