Their deities are not jealous gods, and do not insist on having a monopoly of devotion; and in any case they cannot do much injury to those who have placed themselves under the protection of a more powerful divinity.
This simple-minded eclecticism often produces a singular mixture of Christianity and paganism.

Thus, for instance, at the harvest festivals, Tchuvash peasants have been known to pray first to their own deities, and then to St.Nicholas, the miracle-worker, who is the favourite saint of the Russian peasantry.

Such dual worship is sometimes even recommended by the Yomzi--a class of men who correspond to the medicine-men among the Red Indians--and the prayers are on these occasions couched in the most familiar terms.

Here is a specimen given by a Russian who has specially studied the language and customs of this interesting people:* "Look here, O Nicholas-god! Perhaps my neighbour, little Michael, has been slandering me to you, or perhaps he will do so.

If he does, don't believe him.