The Stundist in Siberian Exile AND OTHER POEMS, William Fetler, 1922

..... Wanted : Prophets Out of Tune .... True Gold can Wait . God’s Heroes .... “None of these Things move me”. Always God .... CHRISTIAN HOME My Only One .... To my Wife .... My Isaac ..... The Ishmaels and the Isaacs God’s Angels .... The Eternal Home RUSSIA Siberia ..... The Cry of Russia The Russian Missionary’s Longings EPILOGUE by Barbara Fetler Memories of my Childhood . vii PACE 3 21 2 7 31 32 33 37 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 49 51 52 53 57 59 62 65 67 69 70 • 73 • 75 • 77 • 79 . 81 • 83 . 87 . 88 . 90 • 95 ILLUSTRATIONS The prisoner of hope in prayer . Frontispiece FACING PAGE Ivan NikHich returning home from the Holy Land ....... 3 A Bible Colporteur knocking at Ivan’s house 17 The conversion of Ivan NikItich . . 24 The village priest points to the heretic’s HOUSE . . .33 Ivan Nikitich is arrested . . 48 Imprisonment of the Stundist and his family 64 On the road to Siberia . 81 A PREACHER IN CHAINS 88 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE I In which Ivan Nikitich travels far seeking salvation , but does not find it. Ivan Nikitich was a man Esteemed by small and great; Much had he read, and travelled much Through Russia's mighty state. And even to the Holy Land A pilgrim had he been— Jerusalem and Bethlehem And Jordan had he seen. ‘ His sins had driven him afar In search of lasting rest ; He worshipped at the holy shrines. And yet was he not blessed. With greater burdens on his soul Wearily home he turned— A deep heart-thirst for righteousness As fire within him burned. His thoughts were sad, his heart was sore. His spirit lone and faint, But all his native villagers Began to call him “ Saint." And so from far, and so from near, They came to hear him speak 3 4 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE Of wondrous realms which he had seen. Of treasures he did seek. And none was there so high esteemed For many a mile around. As old Nikitich —who himself The treasure had not found ! THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE 5 II Where Ivan Nikitich is led to Christ through the visit of a Bible Colporteur . It happened once upon a time A stranger comes his way. Already evening was in sight And far-spent was the day. A case with books is on his back, His looks are calm and quaint. But from his weary steps one sees That he is sorely faint. He stops a moment in the street. Takes off his hat and prays For Heaven's guidance on his steps At parting of the ways. Then on he treads, and at a house He gently knocks, and waits Until Ivan Nikitich comes— To whom the stranger states : " I am a Bible colporteur, I've travelled much to-day ; Please could I spend the night with you ? What's needed, I will pay." A moment—and he is inside, A welcome friend and guest; A samovar 1 is steaming soon,