THE ORTHODOX OF RUSSIA. BY THE Rev. CHARLES R. HALE, D. D. PRIVATELY PRINTED. Reprinted from the July number of THE AMERICAN CHURCH REVIEW, by the kind permission of the Editor, the Rev. Edward B. Boggs, D. D. I 1 THE ORTHODOX MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF RUSSIA. Sbornik Svaidainie o Pravoslavnich Missiach , i Daitelnosti Pra- voslavnccvo Missionerskavo Obschestva. (Collection of Docu ments concerning Orthodox Missions and the Transactions of the Orthodox Missionary Society.) Moscow: 1872. 2 Vols. pp. 284,484. 8vo. Oustav Pravoslavnavo Missionerskavo Obschestva. (Constitution of the Orthodox Missionary Society.) St. Petersburg : 1869. 16 pp. 8vo. Otehet Pravoslavnavo Missionerskavo Obschestva. (Report of the Orthodox Missionary Society), for the years 1870, 1871, 1872, 1878, 1874, 1875, 1876. Moscow: 8vo. Izvletchenie iz Ysepoddannaiishavo Otcheta Ober-Prokourora Svaitaiishavo Synoda. (Extract from the Most Respectful Report of the Ober Procurator of the Holy Synod, for the year 1876.) St. Petersburg: pp. 418, 8vo. Missioner , Edjenedalnoe Izdanie Pravoslavnavo Missionerskavo Obschestva. (The Missionary, a weekly publication of the Orthodox Missionary Society). Moscow : 4to. At the close of an article on Innocent of Moscow, in the Church Review of July, 1877, the writer gave a translation of a Pastoral Letter, in which the venerable Metropolitan announced his purpose shortly to call about him the members of his flock, that they might proceed, first asking the Divine blessing, to found the Orthodox Missionary Society. In due time, notice was given that, January 24th, 1870, the Divine Liturgy would be celebrated, 4 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. and special prayers offered, in the Uspensky Cathedral, Moscow, to invoke God’s favor on the important work taken in hand; and that a meeting of those desiring to become members of the Society would be held, after the services, at the residence of the Governor General of Moscow, Prince Vladimir Andreevitch Dolgorouky. On the appointed day, the Liturgy was celebrated by the Most Reverend the Metropolitan, assisted by both his Vicar Bishops, by the Archpriest A. B. Gorsky, Rector of the Moscow Spiritual Academy, the Archimandrite Vladimir, head of the Missions of the Altai, and others. A sermon was preached by the Archpriest A. O. Klutchareff, from the text, “ Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Eph. vi., 15.) We should be happy, did our limits permit, to translate for our readers some extracts from this admirable Missionary address. The leading clergy of the city, and the most influential of the laity were present, and filled the venerable Cathedral. An eye* witness thus gives utterance to bis feelings, on seeing the general and hearty manifestation of interest: Glory to God, it has long been time for our laity, official and unofficial, to unite with the Church authorities in common labors for the good of the Orthodox faith and Church. It is time, in works of this kind, to lay aside foreign ideas, and to see things from the Orthodox point of view—recognizing that it is not for the Clergy alone to care for the Church, but to regard the work of spreading and upholding the truth and the Church as equally important for—equally obligatory upon—the laity and the clergy. Such harmonious action would bring out the true strength of the Orthodox Church, and be a true basis for hopes of success in all designs for her good.” At one, p. m., those who meant to enroll themselves members of the Orthodox Missionary Society met in the spacious hall of the Governor General’s residence. Among them were the Governor General, the Mayor of the city, and other high officials, both civil and military, the President of the University, etc. Prayers were said by the venerable Innocent, and then he chanted the ascription, u Glory to Thee, 0 our God, Glory to Thee,” and he Trisagion “ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.” In response, the clergy sang in most appropriate words,(from the Liturgy of St. Chrysostom,) “ O Heavenly King, the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, who art every- ( The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 5 where present, and fillest all things, the Giver of Life, come and take up thine abode within us, cleanse us from all stain, and save our souls, 0 Good God.” “ Our Father which art in Heaven, etc.” “ Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen full of all wisdom, sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and by them hast brought the whole world into Thy net; O Lover of men, Glory be to Thee.” Then the Constitution of the Society was read, after which the Metropolitan delivered an address, of which the following is an outline : u You have heard, my brethren, that the work of our Society is to labor together for the conversion of unbelievers to Christ our Saviour, that is, we undertake, each in the measure of his ability and zeal, to co-operate for the conversion to the light of Orthodox faith and truth, of our countrymen wandering in the darkness of unbelief. The task in which we wish to labor together, is, you see, great, holy, apostolic. “For desired success in ordinary works and undertakings, there is need, besides material resources, of reason, knowledge, experi¬ ence, ability and energy, and with these, when circumstances favor, we may look for success. But in the work in which we would now co-operate, there is a great difference. True, here also we need material resources, reason, knowledge, experience, ability, etc., but we cannot, and ought not to, count upon all these condi¬ tions as true means for reaching what we aim after, even under favorable circumstances. And why ? Because the turning of men into the way of faith and truth, entirely belongs to God. ‘ No man cometh unto Me,’ said our Saviour, 4 except the Father which hath sent Me, draw him” (St. John vi., 44), and therefore, if the Lord, in his inscrutable decrees, do not will that a man or a people should turn to Jesus Christ, then the most skilful and most earnest agents would not have the least success in the work. I do not now refer to the example of men, even of the Apostles, but to Jesus Christ, Himself. Who could set forth the truth, and persuade to the acceptance of it, better than He, the I AM, the Word, Incarnate Love? But how many of those who heard and listened to Him, went away with hearts unchanged ! 6 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. What then is there for us to do ? How shall we act when, in our country, the harvest is so great—there are so many not converted to Jesus Christ ? Pray to the Lord of the harvest. He Himself teaches us this. So the first of all, the greatest of all, our needs is Prayer. If in our ordinary work we pray to God at the beginning for His blessing on our undertaking, and during its continuance for His support and strength, Jiere prayer is no longer a help, but, in the work of Christianizing, it is the means, and a most effectual means. Without prayer, no success is to be looked for, even under the most favorable circumstances. So not only must the missionaries pray, but we also, who would co-operate with them, must show our co-operation by prayer. And for what shall we pray ? In the first place, that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into His harvest. In the second that He would open the hearts of those who hear the word of the gospel. In the third place, that He would increase the number of the members of our Society more and more, and lastly, that He would confirm and strengthen in us the desire we now feel to labor together for the end in view. For then we shall co¬ operate in good desires, in good words and in gifts according to our ability, which, although they may not be great in them¬ selves, will yet be accepted by Him who said, ‘ Whosoever shall give * * a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.’ (St. Matt, x., 42). We may thus give in the name of a disciple, when we give to our missionaries.” The reading of the Constitution of the Orthodox Missionary Society, has been mentioned. The writer, who had designed translating some extracts from from it, begs the reader’s permission to lay it before them in full, for besides that it gives a better idea than any description could of the organization of the Society, he thinks that many of its provisions deserve careful consideration from us at this time. It as follows: Constitution of tLe Orthodox Missionary Society. 1. The Orthodox Missionary Society is established under the high patronage of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress. The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 7 2. The Orthodox Missionary Society, acting on the basis of the present Constitution, is placed under the high direction of the Holy Synod. 3. The President of the Orthodox Missionary Society is the Metropolitan of Moscow. 4. The work of the Society is under the direction of the Council, meeting at Moscow under the Presidency of the Metropolitan of Moscow, and of Committees established in the See-cities under the Presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese. Remark: The Presidency of the Committees in those See-cities where there are now, or where there are hereafter appointed,Vicar Bishops, may be delegated, at the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocese, to a Yicar Bishop. 5. The Orthodox Missionary Society shall yearly eommemorate SS. Cyril and Methodius (the Ajoostles of the Slavic Races), on the day set apart for this by the Orthodox Church, May 11th. I. Object and Work of the Society. 6. The object of the Missionary Society is to co-operate, on the basis of this Constitution, with Orthodox missions, in the work of bringing to the Orthodox faith those not Christians living in the Russian Empire, and confirming the new converts in the truths of our holy faith, and in the duties of the Christian life. The Society is, in the first place, to assist missions in Eastern Russia, but as means are supplied its aid may be afterward extended to other parts of the Empire. [Foreign missionary work has since been taken up.] Remark : On account of the existence of the ‘‘Society for the Propogation of Christianity in the Caucasus,” approved by the Emperor June 9th, 1860, the work of the Orthodox Mis- i sionary Society shall not be extended to the Caucasians or the Trans-Caucasians. 7. The Missionary Society, inciting and developing among Orthodox Christians an active co-operation for the attainment of the end set forth, furnishes material aid for the assistance and support of missionaries, for the establishment and maintenance of mission 8 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. churches, schools, hospitals, etc., and also for the printing of books suited to the comprehension and spiritual needs of the heathen, and co-operates with the missionaries in removing every sort of impediment to mission work. 8. The Missionary Society, aiding whenever there is need, in sustaining missions and the various institutions connected there¬ with, does not go beyond this to direct them in their ecclesiastical, scholastic and administrative concerns. Remark : In case of the unsatisfactory condition of any mis¬ sion, it is left to the President of the Society to make preliminary inquiries in regard to it, from the President of the Committee of the Diocese in which such mission is situated, and then to take further steps in a lawful manner, at his discretion, for the correc¬ tion of the evil. 9. The establishment of, and changes in mission stations, the erection of mission churches, schools, etc., as also the designation of missionaries to them, do not belong to the Missionary Society, but are entirely under the control of the diocesan authorities. If help be asked for these things of the Society,this may not be given without previous consultation between the ecclesiastical authorities and the Council of the Society. 10. If the Missionary Society, on the basis of reliable informa¬ tion received of trustworthy persons, or in other ways, sees that there is need for opening a mission in a place where there is none as yet, and that from the means in hand it is practicable to do so, the Council of the Society, after consultation .with the authori¬ ties of the diocese in which it is proposed the mission should be set up, will refer the whole matter to the Holy Synod for its judg¬ ment thereon. 11. The organization of new mission stations, in their various arrangements, and likewise the building of churches, schools and like institutions are entrusted, under a commission from the Society, to special persons chosen by the Society; or, in case of need, to members of the mission, on mutual agreement, each time, with the proper diocesan authorities. 12. The Missionary Society will render, according to its judg¬ ment, and in the measure of its means, material aid towards im- The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 9 proving the manner of living of the converts. Should any philanthrophic persons desire, through the Missionary Society, to make special offerings for the needs of the new converts, the Society will receive such offerings, and forward them according to the will of the donors. 13. The Missionary Society, with a view to improving the manner of living of the converts, accustoming them to work suitable to a settled life, may ask the co-operation of capitalists known to it, or from its own funds make an arrangement, suitable to the local circumstances, for industrial institutions and farm schools, in con¬ formity with the regulations determined upon in such cases. II. Membership in the Society. 14. The Missionary Society is made up of persons of every rank and condition, and of both sexes, and consists of honorary and active members. 15. The class of honorary members, in accordance with the ratification of Her Imperial Majesty, the Patroness of the Society, consists of (a) members of the Imperial family who are minded to show sympathy in the work by accepting such a position ; (b); persons who are entitled to special recognition on the part of the Society for co-operation in its work, either by their influence, through their high position in Church or State, or by their ex¬ perience in mission work, or by unusually large offerings toward the funds of the Society. 16. The active members of the Society consist of those persons who are willing to pledge towards the funds of the Society not less than three roubles yearly. Remark: There are counted among the active members, clergy who, as followers of the Apostles, the first missionaries, can, if they wish, be active members of the Society, although they do not make a money offering to it, showing their co-operation with the Society in this matter, by good words in behalf of mission work, by complying with the requests of the Council or of the Committees, or even by their simple concurrence, and without departing at all from their regular work. But the right to speak and vote at the General Meetings belongs only to those clergy 10 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. who, being in such way active members of the Society, engage to make a yearly offering to its funds. 17. The members of the Society may, in place of a yearly offer¬ ing. make a donation at one time, of which the annual interest shall be equal to such offering. 18. The honorary members (Sec. 15, Rem . b.) receive diplomas signed by the President of the Society. The active members, if they desire it, receive certificates signed by the President of their Committee, or, if at Moscow, by the Vice-President of the Council. III. Rights and Duties of Members of the Society. 19. All male members of the Society, except those of the clergy who, accepting the position of active members, do not undertake to make an offering to its funds, (Sec. 16, Remi) enjoy the right to speak and vote at the General Meetings, and are eligible for election as members of the Council, or of Committees, or as Treasurer. 20. Every member of the Society, besides making pecuniary offerings in the measure of his ability, is expected to use his best endeavors to increase the funds of the Society, and the number of its members. He can also communicate to the Council, or to Committees, his views of measures affecting the interests of the Society. IV. Funds of the Society. 21. The funds of the Society consist of (1) the annual offerings of members, (2) donations of money and useful articles, and (3) offerings (a) by means of boxes, whether put in the churches for the Propagation oj Christianity , or furnished by the Society, in different places, with the sanction of the proper authority, and (b) through subscription books or lists, given to members of the Society. 22. Gifts made instead of a yearly offering (Sec. 17) constitute the fixed capital of the Society, and donations, the objects of which are not definitely stated, are put to the reserve capital. The interest on both the fixed and the reserve capital may be appro¬ priated to current expenses. The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. ll 23. All payments, collections, and offerings, in regard to which a committee of the Society has taken no action, belong to the general funds of the Society, and can be expended only for the missionary work. Y. The Council and General Meetings. 24. The Council, under the Presidency of the Metropolitan of Moscow (Sec. 4), consists of two Yice-Presidents, and of members. 25. One Yice-President is appointed by the President, from his Yicar Bishops, the other is chosen by the Society, every two years, from the laity. The First Yice-President, in the absence of the President, takes his place, and attends to the current work of the Council. 26. The members of the Council are twelve in number, of whom four are appointed by the President, the remaining eight are elected at the general meeting, all serving for two years. 27. Every member of the Council has the right to resign his position before the end of his two years’ term. 28. The Council has a Treasurer and Secretary. The Treasurer is chosen by the General Meeting, for two years, and serves gratuitously. The Secretary, chosen and dismissed from office by the Council, receives a compensation corresponding with his labors and the means of the Society. Remark 1: In case of the illness or temporary absence of Treasurer or Secretary the presiding officer of the Council shall entrust the discharge of the duties of such person to one of the members of the Council. Remark 2: Clerks may be hired by the Secretary, and recom¬ pensed at the discretion of the Council. 29. The Council shall meet not less frequently than once a month. 30. Questions shall be decided by a majority of votes, the pre¬ siding officer having the casting vote in case of a tie. 31. For the transaction of business by the Council, there is required the presence of a presiding officer, and of at least half the members of the Council. 32. The Council, as the Central Body, gives direction as to the 12 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. work of the Committees in reference to the objects of the Society. 38. The Council receives full information of the doings and of the means of the Committees, as also of the needs of the missions. 34. The Council, when the list of expenditures is determined on, shall proceed to make payments accordingly, from its own means, or from those of the Committees, (Sec. 23), without wait' ing for the approval of the yearly estimates, but after the first, only after approval by a General Meeting. 35. The Council deliberates upon questions and proposals brought before it by committees and members of the Society, and after considering the matter either gives a decision, or, if so minded, refers it to the next General Meeting. 36. The Council recommends (Sec. 15, Rem. 5) to the General Meeting the names of persons it deems worthy to be honorary members, and gives diplomas to those chosen to be such. 37. The Council confers with the Government, and with other institutions, either directly, or, when necessary, through the Ober- Procurator of the Holy Synod. 38. Concerning matters requiring special attention, the Council at a fitting time expresses its opinion for the high consideration of the Imperial Patroness of the Society, through the Ober-Procurator of the Holy Synod. 39. It appertains to the Council ; (a) to decide on ways of procedure in the management of the account books and the keeping of the funds ; (b) to assign to the members of the Council their several duties ; (c) to invite to their meetings persons not of their number, or to establish special commis¬ sions for the examination of questions requiring special informa¬ tion, and (d) to print, as to them may seem best, from time to time, appeals for offerings, minutes of their meetings, and infor¬ mation as to the condition and work both of the Society and of missions. Remark .. Drafts for sums belonging to the Society, deposited in Credit Institutions, the depositing and transfer of such sums, require the signature of the presiding officer, and of two members of the Council; other papers are signed, according to their I The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 13 i nature, by the presiding officer and one member of the Council, or by one of these. 40. The Council has its seal, with the design of the Holy Gospels and the Holy Cross surrounded by rays, and this inscrip¬ tion, “The Seal of the Council of the Orthodox Missionary Society.” 41. The Council enjoys the right of franking its correspondence, and packages sent by it, observing the regulations established by law (See Code of Laws, 1857, Vol. II. p. 205, Vol. XII. p. o69). 42. The Council each year publishes a report of the condition and doings of the Society and of the Missions, for the year past, and also presents such a report, with its estimates, to the Annual Meeting. General Meetings are held yearly. There may also be extra¬ ordinary meetings. Such are called by the Council notice being given in the journals, or in other ways, it being also stated what questions are to be discussed. 44. The Annual General Meeting is held in May. The extra¬ ordinary meetings at such time as the Council may think need¬ ful. 45. At the General Meetings, the President of the Society, or, in his absence, one of his Vicar Bishops, as Vice President, presides. 46. At the General Meeting there is (a) read the Annual Report of the Council, (b) The estimate of expenses for the ensuing year is considered and approved, (c) There are chosen from among the members of the Society, suitable persons, with full authority, to audit the financial part of the Annual Report of the Council, (d) An election is held for Second Vice President, for members of the Council, for a Treasurer, and for Candidates for membership in the Council, (e) Persons nominated by the Council (in con¬ formity with Sec. 5., Bern. 6, and Sec. 36), to be honorary members of the Society, are then elected, should the Society see fit, to such position, (f) Questions and measures are discussed which have been brought forward by the Council, by Committees, or by other members of the Society. 14 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. Remark. The propositions of Committees and of members of the Society, are brought before the General Meeting only after preliminary examination by the Council. 47. Questions in the General Meeting are decided in the way mentioned in Sec. 30. 48. The Report of the Council, with that of the Auditing Committee, is, through the Ober-Procurator of the Holy Synod, brought to the high consideration of the Imperial Patroness of the Society. It is also presented to the Holy Synod, and afterwards is printed. VI. Committees , and Local General Meetings. 49. Diocesan Committees, under the Presidency of their respec¬ tive Diocesans, carry on the work of the Missionary Society, each within its own limits. 50. Each Diocesan Committee shall consist, beside the Presi¬ dent, of a Vice President and members. 51. The Bishop of the Diocese shall appoint, to be associated with him as Vice President, either a Vicar Bishop or a prominent lavmen. The members of the Committee shall be chosen at a •j Local General Meeting, to the number of from four to eight. Remark. The heads of missions, when presented at a Com¬ mittee Meeting, shall have the same right to speak as if a member of the Committee. 52. The Committee shall have a Treasurer and a Secretary. 53. In regard to the terms of service of the members of the Committee, of the Treasurer, and of the Secretary, the calling of meetings, the rendering of decisions, and Rules of Order, the Committees shall be governed by regulations determined by the Council of the Society. 54. The Committee shall see (a) to giving certificates to active members (Sec. 18). (b) To furnishing boxes for offerings (Sec. 21). (c) To providing collection books and lists, for all members of the Society who are willing to have such, and are personally known to the Committee; and (d) to publishing monthly, in the local journals, a report of all offerings, and of all disbursements. The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 15 Remark. The sums gathered by the collection books or lists, are sent, at the time designated by the Committee, either directly to the Committee, or, if sent by clerical members, through their Rural Deans. The books or lists when filled out are returned to the Committee in like manner. 55. The Committees shall deposit the sums coming to them, in the District Treasuries, their Treasurers each retaining on hand not more than one hundred roubles for current expenses. 56. The Treasurer of each Committee shall furnish to the Council as ummary account of Committee funds, every four months. 57. The Committees shall communicate with the Council as to the aims and interests of the Society. 58. The Diocesan Committees within whose bounds there are missions, have the following duties: (a) to attend, in the way that may be most convenient, to satisfying the material needs of the missionaries and of missionary establishments, (b) To co-operate with the missionaries, by their mediation, in the work of Christ ianizing the heathen, and establishing them in the Orthodox faith, (c) To seek, by lawful means, to remove obstacles to the prosperity of the missions, acting within the limits of the Consti¬ tution. (d) At proper times, to furnish to the Council, beside the yearly report, information of doings or events at the missions, etc., out of the usual way, e. g., of the conversion of a number of heathen, and at the same time, for the information of those interested in missionary work, to print an account of these things in the local journals. Remark. 1. These Committees, together with the Diocesan authorities, establish according to local agreement, the detailed instructions defining the relation of the missions to the committees, and the ways of accounting with the Missions for the sums appropriated by the Missionary Society. These instructions shall be, after examination by the Council of the Society, subject to ratification by the Holy Synod. Remark. II. The giving of instructions to the Missionaries, relative to the work of Christianizing the heathen and building them up in the faith, belongs directly to the Bishops, independently of the Committees. 16 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 59. Each Committee has its seal, designed in conformity with that mentioned in Sec. 40, and with the legend “ The Seal of the- Committee of the Orthodox Missionary Society,” and documents stamped by it shall be sent free of postage, in accordance with Sec. 41. 60. The Committees, at the begining of each year, shall bring in at the Annual General Meeting, reports of the doings, of the receipts and expenditures, and of the number of members, of the Society, and, at the same time, copies of these reports shall be sent to the Council. Remark. The Committees established in parts of the country where there are Missions, shall, in their Annual Report, give (a) an estimate of the expenses of the Mission for the current year, and (b) information as to the condition and doings of the Mission for the year past. Such shall be sent at the same time to the Bishop of the Diocese, and to the Holy Synod. 61. The Local Annual General Meetings are called by the Committees, and must be held not later than the beginning of February. Extraordinary meetings may be held at any time. 62. In the Local General Meetings, the President of the Com¬ mittee shall preside, but in case of his absence, the Mice President* 63. In regard to the manner of calling the Local General Meet¬ ings, the order of business, the decision of questions at these gatherings, the election of an Auditing Committee, etc., these shall be done in conformity with the principles set forth in Sec¬ tions 43, 46 and 47. 64. The reports of the Committees shall be published in the local journals, and shall also be printed separately, for distribution among members of the Society. 65. Suggestions as to the interpretation, or the development, of this Constitution, presented or forwarded by the Council of the Society, shall be sent, through the Ober-Procurator of the Holy Synod, to the Council of Ministers. Such being the Constitution of the Orthodox Missionary Society it is interesting to inquire as to its actual working. An effort has, we see, been made in the Russian Church, to arouse a general interest in the Missionary work, by the establishment of Mission- The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 17 ary Committees in the different Dioceses, and giving them definite work to do. How far have these efforts been successful ? This is a question of special interest to us at this time, when, owing in part, perhaps, to a change in the administration of our Missionary work, there is widely recognized the necessity of what to some has long seemed most desirable, the hearty co-operation of Diocesan Auxiliary Committees—to incite a more wide-spread zeal for missions, and to draw out, what will follow upon an increased interest, enlarged offerings for the Missionary work. There are, we may well believe, many who might be led to give according to their ability, who have hitherto stood aloof, and who are likely to stand aloof in the future, but for some such instru¬ mentality, to their own great loss, as well as that of the Church, and of the cause of missions. The writer is far from saying that a plan which may prove efficient in another country, would, of necessity, work well in our own. This might, indeed, be very far from being the case. But, on the other hand, it cannot but be of benefit to us to know what others have done in endeavoring to carry on a work similar to what we have at heart, even if under somewhat different circumstances. Let us briefly examine the last Keport of the Orthodox Missionary Society, made at the Annual General Meeting at Moscow, May 8, 1877. We learn from this, that the receipts of the Society for the previous year amounted to 111,598 roubles, 28J copecks. 1 Certain offerings, “ For the Propagation of Christianity amongst the Heathen in the Empire,” which have long been made in the Churches, are now disbursed through the Missionary Society. These for the year amounting to 30,100.37^ roubles, made the entire sum received by the Society, 141,698.65f roubles. Let us analyze the receipts. Of the 111,598.28^ roubles received by the Society directly, 16,384.60 roubles were received from 1 A rouble equals about seventy-five cents; a copeck is the one hundredth part of a rouble. In the other sums mentioned in this article, copecks will be given as decimal parts of a rouble, just as we write cents as decimals of a dollar. 18 The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. interest on invested funds; 2,214.144 roubles from miscellaneous sources; 19,984.404 roubles came to the Council directly; 73,015.134 roubles came through the Diocesan Committees. These Committees have been founded, thus far, in about one- half the Dioceses of the Russian Church, and some of these among the poorest in the Church. Of the Dioceses in the remaining half, sending their Missionary offerings through the Council, are those of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yaroslav, Kazan and Nijni Novgorod. Of course, it does not, of necessity, show a luke¬ warmness of missionary feeling to have no definite Diocesan organization for missions. In Moscow, the Council, with the venerable Metropolitan at its head, takes the place most properly of a Diocesan Committee. It may be thought wise that some of the neighboring Dioceses, as Yaroslav and Tver, and others who, if not so near, are yet in very close connection with Moscow, should join with it to make a strong central body. But the fact remains, that, of all that is given, by far the larger part comes from dioceses in which, but for the influence of the Diocesan Committees, little would, in all likelihood, be received. In the following list of Dioceses in which there are Missionary Committees, there is given, in parenthesis, the number of mem¬ bers of the Missionary Society in each Diocese, followed by the amount of offerings as reported at the Annual General Meeting in May, 1877. Astrachan (290), 2,859.87^, R. The Don (about 500), 3,435.89 R. Kalouga (about 50), 632.44 R. Kostroma (271), 3, 928.77^- R. Orenburg (220), 843.63 R. Perm (137), 5,891.55 R. Samara (173), 721.25 R. Tamboff (239), 1,965.91 R. Tomsk (74), 475.62 R. Vitebsk (63), 233.86 R. Vologda (237), 1,974.96 R. Yakoutsk (about 110), 610.50 R. Kharkoff (408), 3,049.70| R. Mohileff (no report, just founded). Blagovaischensky on the Amoor (117) 805.81, R. Irkutsk (about 490), 26,522.90^ R. Kieff (69), 1,447.10 R Minsk (45), 261.24^ R. Or]off (140), 2,398.75 R. Riazan (201), 1,855.65 R. Simbirsk (352), 1,801.06 R. Tobolsk (462) 3,598.83^ R. Viatka (138), 2,375.79 R. Vladimir (185), 2,550.89 R. Voronej (148) ; 1,486.71 R. Yenisee (about 150), 919.42^ R. Tchernigoff (63), 368.00 R. The Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia. 19 The Diocesan Committees of the last three dioceses were established during the year. The members of the Society, as reported by the several Diocesan Committees, number in all 5,232, those connected with the Counci] 2,328, the entire number being 7,560. The amount of the offerings have been already mentioned. Of the entire sum of 141,698.65f R, received by the Society, 15,480.75 R., were added to the Permanent Fund, making it in all 261,104.40 R; 16,354.41f R. to the Reserve Fuud, making it 170,383.19^; 100,659.36 R. were expended, and there remained cash on hand, 74,876.62^ R. Of what was expended as above, 73,311.49 R., were appropriated at the Annual Meeting in May, 1876. 7,397.13i R. were special offerings for Japan ; 2,060.80 R, given to Missionaries, in the way of special relief, and 9,708.87 R, were appropriated by Diocesan Committees. The expenses of the Diocesan Committees amounted to 3,211.62!- R.; those of the Council, including 880 R. for the traveling expenses of Missionaries sent out, to 4,969.44 R. The other items in this statement of expenses of the Council are, Salary of Editor of the Missioner, the bright weekly paper which is the organ of the Society, 1,000 R., Clerk hire, 1,805 R., Office rent, 336.37 R., Printing, 364.68 R., expenses of General Meeting, 86.00 R., sundries, 317.94 R The writer has aimed in this paper to give some account what the Orthodox Missionary Society of Russia is, and of what it is doing. At another time, please God, he purposes telling of the work of Russian Missionaries among heathen and Mohametans, in China, Japan, Turkestan, and in Eastern and South Eastern Russia. CHAS. R HALE.