Page:The Novels and Other Works of Lyof N. Tolstoï-v17.djvu/14

 feel, in spite of all the obstructions that have been put in its way to nullify its action; and if any would seek for strength from the primary source of power, who shall say him nay? And so although we may smile at the artlessness of this Russian evangelist in his determination to find in the Gospels the categorical imperative of self-renunciation, although we may regard with wonder the magnificent audacity of his exegetical speculations, we cannot refuse to admire a faith so sincere, so intense, and, in many respects, so elevating and so noble.”

Count Tolstoï makes several references to a “Criticism of Dogmatic Theology” and a translation of the Four Gospels accompanied by a Concordance on which he has been laboring for a number of years. As these works are thoroughly technical and repeat much of what has already been given, and however valuable to the special student and the controversial theologian, are not likely to be of interest to the general reader, it has been decided to omit them from this edition.

The pencil sketch by Repin of Count Tolstoï reading is reproduced for the frontispiece, from Harper’s Weekly, by the courteous permission of Harper & Brothers.