Altogether the mission was a complete failure, and all parties regretted that it had been undertaken.

"It was a great mistake," remarked to me confidentially an Orthodox peasant; "a very great mistake.

The Molokanye are a cunning people.

The monk was no match for them; they knew the Scriptures a great deal better than he did.

The Church should not condescend to discuss with heretics." It is often said that these heretical sects are politically disaffected, and the Molokanye are thought to be specially dangerous in this respect.
Perhaps there is a certain foundation for this opinion, for men are naturally disposed to doubt the legitimacy of a power that systematically persecutes them.