A RELIGIOUS SERVICE 33 



they would confer an inestimable blessing on their 

 people, though they might lose some of the power they 

 now wield. Better yet, make school-masters of nine 

 out of ten priests, or if they are not willing to change 

 their vocation send enlightened schoolmasters abroad, 

 separate church and state and a wonderful change 

 will soon be wrought. 



An intelligent Russian, who, as most of the intelli- 

 gent ones do, spoke French, told me that the wealth of 

 the Russian Church is almost incalculable; that it 

 could pay the Russian national debt (some $3,500,000,- 

 ooo) and would then be enormously wealthy. Yet 

 this same church has hardly been heard of during 

 the great distress prevalent in so many provinces; no 

 soup kitchens have been opened by it ; no contributions 

 given. It seems bent only upon saving souls for the 

 world to come and upon laying up for itself the riches 

 of this world. 



The Bishop having presented the jewelled cross 

 to the Americans present to be kissed, and that 

 ceremony having been performed, the service was 

 concluded with chanting and songs of praise by a 

 fine male double-quartette, and the last nine bags 

 of flour required to complete the train load were 

 put on board, each of the following named persons 

 carrying one bag to the car: Count Andre Bobrin- 

 skoy; the Governor of the Province; the Mayor 

 of the City; the City Prefect; the Director-General 



