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

A cup to cheer and rest. 1 “ Self-boiler/ 1 Russian tea-urn. 6 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE The colporteur takes out his books And turns from place to place— Explaining words of Way and Life, Of Truth and Saving Grace. And, as if scales had dropped from eyes, Ivan Nikitich cries That what he long had sought in vain Now comes as a surprise. Christ sees he, and Him crucified, The spotless Lamb of God, Who took the whole world's sins away As to the Cross He trod. No more he to the ikon 1 turns. In corner of the place ; No more three fingers does he join To cross before his face : For now no picture does he need, He has a living Christ ! Ivan—so long unsatisfied— By Him at last sufficed I 1 Image of some Saint, usually in the right-hand corner of the room. THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE 7 III The converts are nicknamed “ Stundists” and persecution begins . The Word was live, the fire burned, Still others caught its flame; And soon wild rumours carried far New faith and a new name. And whisperings and threatenings, Against “ foul Stundist creed '' Were heard from priests and strazhniki 1 — From higher up indeed ! For in the Empire's capital, St. Petersburg the Great, Pobedonostseff 2 held his sway In Church and in the State. The accusation was received. And by the Tsar's command Ivan Nikitich must be sent Forth from his native land, To cruel, cold Siberia— As many others went: 1 Village police. 2 Procurator or Head of the “ Most Holy Governing Synod ” during the reign of Alexander hi. and the beginning of the reign of Nicholas n. He was an avowed enemy of all “ Sec¬ tarians " (as the Evangelicals were also called), and instituted ruthless persecutions, resulting in imprisonment and banish¬ ment to Siberia and Trans-Caucasus. 8 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE In misery and poverty, To lonely banishment. One day gendarmes 1 and strazhniki With warrants duly signed, Came riding through the village street With many folk behind. The village priest points out the house, The pristaff 2 bangs the door— Ivan Nikitich will be free Henceforward never more. The strazhniki surround the place. The pristaff enters in To apprehend the criminal For Russia's greatest sin— “ For heresy, apostasy, From Holy Mother Church ; To send thee to Siberia For thee to-day we search. Give up thy cursed Stundist books. That I each one may bum— Ivan, say not a word, for thou Shalt never here return 1 ” They take his Bible, book of songs; They snatch a tract or two. By Spurgeon, Moody, Newman Hall— And Pilgrim's Progress, too. 1 Special force in Russia dealing with political propaganda; also employed in guarding State Railway stations and Customs¬ houses. 2 Chief of the " Strazhniki." THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE 9 They take his horse, his only cow, A table, chair, and bed— In chains they put his hands and feet. And fort