A RELIGIOUS SERVICE 31 



A temporary structure had been erected and 

 improvised as a church. It was completely cov- 

 ered with bunting of the national colours, our own 

 stars and stripes prominently figuring in the grace- 

 ful drapery. (See illustration.) 



Here an hour's religious service was held. The 

 gold-mitred Bishop of the Orthodox Greek Church 

 in the Province of Livonia officiated and made an 

 address, which, though brief, was filled to the 

 brim with grateful and earnest Christian sentiment. 

 By request of the Bishop, our Consul-General, Dr. 

 Crawford, translated and repeated the address in 

 English. This is the translation: 



In the name of the Russian Orthodox Church we 

 greet you, our American brethren, and bid you a 

 hearty welcome to the shores of our Empire, and in 

 evangelical love we pray that the blessings of God may 

 descend in abundance upon you and upon your fellow- 

 citizens. It is that divine love which Jesus Christ 

 preached to us, the love that knowing no difference 

 between nations, or religions, or individuals, has 

 brought you here. It is that love that is not stayed 

 by difficulties nor by vast distances; that love that 

 overcomes all obstacles and brings succour to all that 

 are in need; it is that Christian brotherly love that has 

 led you across the great ocean and over the inland seas 

 which separate your country from ours that you may 



