Page:The Complete Works of Lyof N. Tolstoi - 09 (Crowell, 1899).djvu/487



problem of life, as elucidated by Count Tolstoï, is one of very simple principles. As Christ in the New Testament story advised the rich young man to sell all he had, distribute his great possessions among the poor, and follow him, if he would enter into the kingdom of heaven, so this modern prophet would advise the rich young men of our day to cease living a parasitic life, to cease chasing the will-o'-the-wisp of pleasure, to earn their daily bread in the sweat of their faces, to follow strictly the precepts of Jesus, not as interpreted by a selfish, luxurious, and decadent Church, but by the light of experience. If the so-called Christians of all denominations and sects would really take Christ as their master and guide, poverty would cease, the dangers of too great private magnificence and pride, such as wrecked the Roman Empire, would be obviated, courts and litigation, wars and the need of the enormous armies which now sap the vitality of the nations, would be done away with; the exclusive and meretricious art, which now foments the passions, would be replaced by simpler and more genuine music, poetry, painting, and drama, such as the great mass—"the milliards" of mankind can understand.

Thus it is Count Tolstoï answers the question, Chto zhe dyelat'?—"What is to be done?" He answers it theoretically, and, as far as the circumstances of his