Page:Russian Church and Russian Dissent.djvu/287

272 He will sound the great bell of the Uspenski. He will collect all the trae believers together! He will plant masts that will not fail! He will set sails that will not rend! He will give us a rudder that will steer us safely! He casts his anchor in a safe harbor! We are landed! we are landed! The Holy Spirit is with us! The Holy Spirit is among us! The Holy Spirit is in us!"

This nautical phraseology is explained by the system of their organization, arranged with the remarkable aptitude for self-government displayed by Russian schismatics, from the "Old Believers " to the "Men of God" and the "White Doves."

They form themselves into "korabl," which may signify either "ships" or "naves of a church," and their confederation recalls that of Free-Masonry with its lodges; this latter institution was introduced into Russia at about the period of Selivanov's appearance.

Each korabl comprises the disciples of a city, a town, or a district, and is under the charge of a prophet or prophetess, whose inspired revelations are its law and guide. That of St. Petersburg, ruled over by Selivanov in person, was, in their mystic language, the Royal Ship, having for its pilot and commander the living God, who directed the evolutions of the squadron of smaller vessels.