When they began to divide the land, the tailor gave up drinking vodka, and, being consulted as to how much land was to be divided, and to whom it should be given, he proposed to give allotments to all on equal terms, not taking from the tenants more than was due for each piece of land out of the sum paid to the landowner.

“Why so?”

“We are no heathens, I should think,” he said.  “It is all very well for the masters to be unfair, but we are true Christians.  We must do as God bids.  Such is the law of Christ.”

“Where have you got that law from?

“It is in the Book, in the Gospels; just come to me on Sunday, I will read you a few passages, and we will have a talk afterwards.”

They did not all come to him on Sunday, but three came, and he began reading to them.

He read five chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel, and they talked.  One man only, Ivan Chouev, accepted the lesson and carried it out completely, following the rule of Christ in everything from that day.  His family did the same.  Out of the arable land he took only what was his due, and refused to take more.

The lame tailor and Ivan had people calling on them, and some of these people began to grasp the meaning of the Gospels, and in consequence gave up smoking, drinking, swearing, and using bad language and tried to help one another.  They also ceased to go to church, and took their ikons to the village priest, saying they did not want them any more.  The priest was frightened, and reported what had occurred to the bishop.  The bishop was at a loss what to do.  At last he resolved to send the archimandrite Missael to the village, the one who had formerly been Mitia Smokovnikov’s teacher of religion.

XIX

Asking Father Missael on his arrival to take a seat, the bishop told him what had happened in his diocese.

“It all comes from weakness of spirit and from ignorance.  You are a learned man, and I rely on you.  Go to the village, call the parishioners together, and convince them of their error.”

“If your Grace bids me go, and you give me your blessing, I will do my best,” said Father Missael.  He was very pleased with the task entrusted to him.  Every opportunity he could find to demonstrate the firmness of his faith was a boon to him.  In trying to convince others he was chiefly intent on persuading himself that he was really a firm believer.

“Do your best.  I am greatly distressed about my flock,” said the bishop, leisurely taking a cup with his white plump hands from the servant who brought in the tea.

“Why is there only one kind of jam?  Bring another,” he said to the servant.  “I am greatly distressed,” he went on, turning to Father Missael.