On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
profession or way of business to which they feel themselves inclined . Every office , as well ecclesiastical as civil , is to afford to the Hebrews necessary protection and assistance at their conversion to Christianity , and in case they flee to them for refuge .
2 . Advantageous and convenient places for settlement , with adjoining' lands , will be appointed to the converted Hebrews , in the Northern and Southern governments of the empire In these places , those of them who Wish it , may settle oh their own account , under the denomination of the Society of Christian Israelites . These
assigned places will serve them for a secure and certain refuge , where , in communion with others of their nation who > also profess Christianity , they will be able to form a Society , where every one shall be able to support himself and his family by their own labour and industry , according to their ability and power .
3 . We have issued particular regulations respecting the Society of Christian Israelites , which , confirmed by our own signature , we shall adjoin here , that they may be brought under general observation , and be properly put into execution . 4 . A Committee will be formed at St .
Petersburg ' , for the supreme management of the affairs of these settlements , under the denomination of Tutelar } ' Committee for the Christian Israelites . This committee will consist of a president , several members named directors ^ and secretaries . All Hebrews of our empire , who either have embraced or are willing to embrace
the Christian faith , may apply to the Committee , either in person or by letter . The governments also , as well ecclesiastical as civil , are to confer with the committee in all concerns that respect the Christian Israelites , with the exception , however , as is understood of itself , of all personal criminality and process which comes under the established courts of justice .
5 . We command the Committee , which is to be formed for the management of all the affairs of the Society of Christian Israelites , to give us account from time to time of the progress of those settlements ,
and of all affairs which respect the Christian Israelites , through our Privy Counsellor Prince Galitzin , to whom the common concerns of the Hebrews are in general committed by us , with tlie exception of individual criminalities and process of
properties . Having thus laid a solid foundation in favour of Hebrewsembracing- the Christian faith , and for the security of their situation , we command that what is drawn up
here and in the adjoining pages be punctually put into execution . The Committee also is to advertise it in the Russian , German and Polish languages , that it may come undergeneiai notice , and be followed
Untitled Article
accurately by all governments and persons whom it respects . We are convinced , that by this arrangement , the state of the Hebrews who embrace the Christian faith is sufficiently secured , and that thereby all means will be afforded them in their new
situation to protect themselves from the persecutions of their nation , if any where they should take place , and to maintain themselves by their own industry , without being a burden to the government or to individuals . In this condition , if they
follow the precepts of that gospel which they have embraced , they will grow in all good works to their own and the common good , and to the praise and glory of that most holy name by which they are named . ( The original is signed by his Imperial Majesty , ) ALEXANDER . St , Petersburg ^ Easter Siinday > Mar , 25 , 1817 .
Untitled Article
Russian Society of Christian Israelites . 775
Untitled Article
REGULATIONS RESPECTING THE SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES . In order to insure to the Hebrews who hare embraced the Christian religion , of what confession soever it may be , a secure and peaceful abode in the bosom of the
Russian empire , we have permitted them to form among themselves a community under the denomination of the Society « f Christian Israelites—but to promote among the members of that Society , industry , trades , and all kinds of useful business , we constitute the following regulations .
1 . Lands for settlement and domestic ceeonomy will be assigned by the crown to the Society of Christian Israelites gratis , and for an everlasting possession to them and their posterity . These lands will not
be assigned to each individual in particular , but to all in common ; and for this reason they can neither be sold nor pawned , or in any other way be brought into the hands of others , but must always remain an unalienable property of the whole
community . 2 . On these lands appointed for them they may , if they please , settle on their own account , and build every kind of establishment , borough or town , according to their means and circumstances . It is
likewise left to their own choice either to build all in common , or each one for himself , provided he does not exclude himself from those connexions with the Society unto which they must all , without exception , belong * . 3 . To those Christian Israelites who enter
the Society , as also to their posterity , will be allowed an equal , full and entire freedom of the Christian confession of faith without any difference ; and each confession permitted to enjoy their divine service according * to the rules and customs of their church . Consequently the congregations
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1818, page 775, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2483/page/47/
-