hings is quite changed. The
sanction of religion--the thought that they are fighting in the cause of
God and of duty, nerves their arms, and gives them that confidence in the
result which is almost essential to victory.

It was so in this case. There was no class in the community more opposed
to the Czar's proposed improvements and reforms than the Church. Indeed,
it is always so. The Church and the clergy are always found in these
countries on the side of opposition to progress and improvement. It is
not that they are really opposed to improvement itself for its own sake,
but that they are so afraid of change. They call themselves
Conservatives, and wish to preserve every thing as it is. They hate the
process of pulling down. Now, if a thing is good, it is better, of
course, to preserve it; but, on the other hand, if it is bad, it is
better that it should be pulled down. When, therefore, you are asked
whether you are a Conservative or not, reply that that depends upon the
character of the institution or the usage which is attacked. If it is
good, let it stand. If it is bad, let it be destroyed.

In the case of Peter's proposed improvements and reforms the Church and
the clergy were Conservatives of the most determined character. Of
course, the plotters of the conspiracy in Moscow were in communication
with the patriarch and the leading ecclesiastics in forming their plans;
and in arranging for the marching of the Guards to the capital they took
care to have priests with them to encourage them in the movement, and to
assure them that in opposing the present government and restoring Sophia
to power they were serving the cause of God and religion by promoting the
expulsion from the country of the infidel foreigners that were coming in
in such numbers, and subverting all the good old usages and customs of
the realm.

It was this sympathy on the part of the clergy which gave the officers
and soldiers of the Guards their courage and confidence in daring to
persist in their march to Moscow in defiance of the army of General
Gordon, brought out to oppose them.

The two armies approached each other. General Gordon, as is usual in
such cases, ordered a battery of artillery which he had brought up in the
road before the Guards to fire, but he directed that the guns should be
pointed so high that the balls should go over the heads of the enemy.
His object was to intimidate them. But the effect was the contrary. T