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

every stopping-place they all Around the Stundists throng, And hear proclaimed the Joyful News In holy talk and song. His little Testament in hand— Much marked, much soiled, much read— He speaks of freedom for the chained, Of Easter for the dead. The Cross of Christ is lifted high. With Christ upon the cross— He speaks of losses that are gains, Of gains that lead to loss. And as a wire full-charged with power From Heaven's batteries. The word Ivan Nikitich speaks A word of power is. And while the chains of steel remain Upon the convicts’ feet, Their spirits, liberated, sing Around the mercy-seat. The Tsar condemned them for a crime, Christ Jesus pardons all I They go and sing to Him, " All Hail! Let Angels prostrate fall! " And as they halt along the way To pass the night in sleep, Some convicts here, and others there, In groups for prayer creep. They lift their hands in chains on high. They praise the Lamb of God, Who in their stead to Calvary, Worse than their exile, trod. 14 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE Worse than the worst Siberia, More cruel than their chains. . . . Thus from the convicts' barracks rise Their deep thanksgiving strains. THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE 15 VI Many of the converted convicts, sentenced to hard labottr, proclaim peace in Jesus in the Siberian gold mines. The exile path which seemed so dark Had turned triumphant, bright; Their days were as the golden sun, As noonday was their night. At last o’er mountains, brooks and lakes. Through taiga, 1 dreary, wild, The journey’s end is reached by all— Man, woman, youth and child. The men, for fear of their escape. To wheelbarrows are chained ; And thus, to get the precious ore From gold mines, they are trained. But other mines, more precious still They find as days go by : Souls of their fellow-prisoners, Which deep in darkness lie. They lift them up with Gospel spades, Melt them in flames of love. And scores of low-born criminals Are re-born from above. 1 Taiga—peculiar Siberian prairies overgrown with shrubs and thick forests, 16 THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE Until the mines imperial Sound with celestial strains, And none is freer than these men With wheelbarrows and chains! BIBLE COLPORTEUR KNOCKING AT IVAN’S HOUSE THE STUNDIST IN SIBERIAN EXILE 17 VII The Hope of Russia Ivan NikItich, hundredfold Blest in his work of love, Becomes a shepherd of the fold Of souls bom from above. The congregation is in chains ; The prison-court his church ; Wheelbarrows are the seats on which The Holy Writ they search. They hold no hymn-books in their hands. But in their hearts they sing Of Jesus and His righteousness - Of their Redeemer—King ! And from the prison-cell ascends Each night their fervent cry For millions of their countrymen, For Russia far and nigh. The men who knew to curse and swear Have learned to pray and plead;