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Notice was
given, at the close of the services, that "baked meats" would be
furnished to the multitude, and that all beggars who came to
Kinesma would be charitably fed for the space of six weeks. Thus,
by her death, the amiable Princess Martha was enabled to dispense
more charity than had been permitted to her life.
At the funeral banquet which followed, Prince Alexis placed the
Abbot Sergius at his right hand, and conversed with him in the most
edifying manner upon the necessity of leading a pure and godly
life. His remarks upon the duty of a Christian, upon brotherly
love, humility, and self-sacrifice, brought tears into the eyes of
the listening priests. He expressed his conviction that the
departed Princess, by the piety of her life, had attained unto
salvation,--and added, that his own life had now no further
value unless he should devote it to religious exercises.
"Can you not give me a place in your monastery?" he asked, turning
to the Abbot. "I will endow it with a gift of forty thousand
rubles, for the privilege of occupying a monk's cell.


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