The Czar’s Decree

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 12.

The Czar’s Decree

Probably nothing that the Czar of Russia has done has caused more comment and commendation than the reform decree issued recently at St. Petersburg. This decree grants, to all sects under Russian jurisdiction, religious liberty. The Jewish faith is not mentioned specifically, but it is understood to apply to the Jews as well as to the exponents of other religions. The decree is general enough in its language to cover freedom of religious teaching in all parts of Russia by the various denominations. Whether it will be so interpreted by the conservative officials charged with carrying it into effect is a matter for future development. While the decree grants, in a measure, local self government and the freedom of the peasantry from enforced labor, with certain other reforms, yet the portion of the decree which interests the world most is that pertaining to religion. The language of that portion of the decree is as follows: “We are irrevocably decided to satisfy the needs for which the State has become ripe, and have deemed it expedient to strengthen and decree the undeviating observance of tolerance laid down by the fundamental laws of the Russian empire, while recognizing the orthodox church as the ruling one, to grant to all of our subjects of other religions and to all foreign persuasions, freedom of creed and worship; and we are further resolved to continue the carrying out of the measures for the improvement of the material position of the orthodox rule and clergy, while enabling them to take a larger share in intellectual and public life.” The work of carrying out this decree has been placed in the hands of the czar’s ministers, and much depends upon the way in which they relate themselves to it. It is feared that the ecclesiastical authorities, which are very powerful in Russia, may find a way to modify the tolerant features of the decree. If the decree is carried out according to its spirit, it will do much to quell the enmity of the peasantry toward the government. We believe also that it is one of the opening providences of God to enable the Gospel to be preached unhindered in the Russian empire.