Colonel V. A. Pashkov and the Late Nineteenth-Century Protestant Movement in Russia, Jan M. Surer, 1999

luence of both rationalism and the populist spirit so dominant at the time, he then applied such teaching to his misgivings about the social situation and in effect sought to achieve the Kingdom of God on earth (although he would have frowned upon some socialists' wish to realize that Kingdom by means of compulsion). The Pashkovites, with their emphasis on the doctrine of 4 After several years, the peasants ceased paying into the communal fund and speculated in the land themselves. See Simmons, pp. 438 and 556-58. 5 Although Tolstoy at first encouraged colonies set up in accord with his principles, he later became critical of their cloistered nature. These colonies were also beset by practical difficulties and typically ended in failure. See Simmons, pp. 459- 60; 503-04. 48 salvation by faith, concentrated their efforts on the spreading of that message. As we have seen, the Pashkovites 6 7 embrace of their creed did significantly change their lives, even if they did not preach the radical prescriptions Tolstoy advocated. They did not disregard the great economic disparities that existed in Russia, and they clearly were motivated by a wish to improve the general situation. Count Bobrinsky was said to have turned his estates into centers for both the spread of the Gospel and for social and agricultural improvements. 6 Because Pashkov had to correspond with his managers from exile, however, it is for his estates that evidence of their practice as landowners is available. Estate management The revenues from Pashkov 7 s estates came primarily from the sale of copper, grain, and timber. The Pashkov family had been among the court nobles prominent in mining in the Urals in the early 1800 7 s, 7 and in Pashkov 7 s time they employed several thousand peasants. 8 Farming took place at Matcherka in Tambov province and at Kargalinsky in the Urals, where he owned over 10,000 and 30,000 hectares, respectively. 9 Pashkov mentions the sale of wood from Matcherka; a possibly more "industrial" timber operation was begun on his Bogoyavlensk 6 Heier, p. 83; Trotter, p. 199. 7 D. Lieven, Aristocracy . pp. 124-25. Heier, p. 134. Ikonnikov, L. 2, pp. 502-03. 9 49 holdings around the year 1887. 10 Pashkov requested to be informed frequently about affairs on the estates and sent his managers his questions and wishes. "An estimate of cost for timber operation and probable profits [ — ] has it been drawn?... Does any order for timber to be delivered to Astrakhan stand for next summer?...What about sale of corn?...When and how much money do you expect to send?...Is Malty in our employ?...How are the peasants faring at Vetoschkino?" 11 In May of 1888 he wrote to Leonard Owen, his chief manager from 1887, regarding the new timber operation. He advised Owen to "do quite away with sawing planks by hand as they must cost much dearer." He wished to be sure that the forest was not being damaged but t