The muzhik’s religion, so far as I had observed it, is a set of forms to which he bows—much as he pays his taxes—and an instinctive feeling which is never discussed nor thought about, that outside of himself is some great and mysterious power which he must not offend, and by observing the forms which this vaguely understood Being delights in he may expect in return protection in any hour of trial. The muzhik is naturally shrewd. This is a reasonable explanation, and adequate reason for his going regularly to church. And of course no God would see His children inflict the punishments of fasts and long ceremonials upon themselves without rewarding them at some future time.
That there is a genuinely practical element in the muzhik’s religion is indicated in a well-known popular legend which purports to explain how it comes that St. Cassian’s day falls only on the odd day of leap year. It also is a keen analysis of the psychology of the muzhik’s religious outlook.
The two saints, Cassian and Nicholas, so the legend goes, appeared before the Lord together.
“What hast thou seen on earth?” asked the Lord of St. Cassian.
“I have seen a muzhik foundering with his cart in a marsh by the way,” answered St. Cassian.
“Why hast thou not helped him?” inquired the Lord.
“Because I was coming into Thy presence, and I was afraid of soiling my bright clothes so that they would offend Thine eyes.”
At this moment the eyes of the Lord rested upon St.
