sion and arbitration, and finally of settling all national controversies by an appeal to reason, as becomes rational beings, and not by physical force, as is worthy only of brute beasts; and that this shall be done by a congress of Christian nations, whose decrees shall be enforced by public opinion that rules the world, not by public opinion as it now is, but by public opinion enlightened by the Gospel of Peace."

Now are these objects visionary? Are these schemes impracticable? Is there no encouragement to attempt any thing?

On this point let us reflect. Let us understand. For ourselves, we are prepared heartily to adopt the position so well stated by Mr. Ware: "if it be a duty which we are called upon to perform, it is no matter whether there be any visible encouragement or not. Duty can be done, sooner or later. It must be begun,-in the dark perhaps; but we shall work our way to the light."* 'This is sound. This is the spirit in which this subject should be approached. There is a moral decision about it which we like. It is right-minded; it is right-hearted.

Now on this point there are some things which we are ready to lay down fearless of all contradiction:

1. That the adoption of a peaceful policy by which the differences of nations should be decided, without recourse to arms, on the principles of moderation and equity,-would put an end to immense evils, and would in every way, incalculably promote the physical, moral, and social welfare of mankind, and is therefore commended by every consideration of enlightened self-interest.

2. That Christianity in its whole spirit and tendency, aims to produce, and if its legitimate influence were now predominant in Christendom, infallibly would produce such a consummation.

3. That the spread of Christianity and the full develope- ment and application of its principles, as the remedy for human evils and the means of human advancement and perfectionment, is, in the intentions of Providence, to be effected by the

* Promise of Universal Peace. By Professor Ware, of Cambridge. p. 20.

agency of its friends, and is required of them by its express commands,—and of course in relation to this, as well as every other object involved in the application of its principles.

4. That through this agency, such shall be the ultimate result, Christianity, by express predictions, renders certain.

5. To attempt, therefore, what the welfare of the world requires, what the true spirit of the Gospel tends to effect, and if prevalent would effect, and what through the commanded exertions of its followers it is destined to effect,-is beyond all contradiction a DUTY.

And here are grounds enough for a confident attempt to perform our duty. Shall it be thought a thing impossible to achieve what the good of man requires, what the Gospel tends, and through the agency of its friends, is destined to effect? The thought is not to be entertained. It is not impossible; it cannot rationally be thought so. To think so, is a pusillanimous subjection of the mind to the tyranny of the Present, it is to be incapable of instruction from the Past, and incapable of faith, even in God, for the Future.

United exertions can, united exertions infallibly will, sooner or later, accomplish the end. United exertions are a duty, and to unite in such exertions to the utmost of each one's ability, is, therefore, the sacred duty of every individual; a duty which cannot possibly, in any just view of Christian obligation, be declined.

Here, perhaps, is the place to advert to an objection sometimes offered, an objection so frivolous, indeed, as hardly to deserve an answer: that all our special exertions are needless and fruitless, because the predominance of the spirit of the Gospel is the only influence that can put an end to war; till then, all we can do will be of no material avail, and our exertions in regard to this object should be involved in the general effort to promote Christianity.

This objection is absurd. It proves so much that it subverts itself. For the same reason would be valid against special exertions to put down any and every other evil in the world. All other evils, as well as war, have their origin in human cor

to war.

ruption; the spirit of the Gospel is as much opposed to them, and would, if prevalent, as effectually put an end to them, as On the ground advanced, therefore, we might as well decline co-operation with special exertions against Intemperance, and even the legislative and judicial action of society against vice and crime, might be dispensed with.

But enough for this objection.-The united activity of the friends of man is requisite to bring about the immense revolution at which Peace Societies are aiming; and besides the grounds for such activity which we have mentioned, there are, likewise, from numerous sources, visible and ample encouragements to quicken the zeal of those who are engaged in this

cause.

They are found in the history of the past;-in what advancing civilization, and the force of opinion, have already done to put an end to many customs, once, to all appearance, as deeply rooted, as that against which our efforts are directed. Here we may indicate the trial by ordeal, the judicial combat, witchcraft, &c.;-the abolition of the baronial wars of the middle. ages, the overthrow of the inquisition, the abolition of the slavetrade; and the numerous modifications of international law, and the influence of civilization in repressing the barbarities and mitigating the severities of war itself.

They are found in the aspects of the present :-in the multiplied results of awakened philanthropy and Christian benevolence, the new developements of moral power which the age displays. They are found in the progress which this cause has actually made, in the attention it has awakened, the numbers, intelligence, and zeal of those it has engaged in its promotion. They are found particularly in the political aspects of the in the measures and declared dispositions of many sovereigns. They are found in the growing industrious and commercial interests of Christian nations, and the consequent growth of the pacific spirit among the people, and of the pacific policy among the governments.

age,

Many of these topics, to which we have alluded, are susceptible of full and rich illustration; and several of them we shall

have occasion, hereafter, to unfold more at large. We shall for the present leave them, barely adding that the result is sure. "Already," says Mr. Ware, "the powers are at work which are to accomplish this desirable consummation. Already the process is begun, by which God is to fulfil the amazing predictions of his word. The fire is kindled at the forges, where the swords are to be beaten into plough-shares, and the spears into pruninghooks. The teachers are already abroad, who shall persuade men to 'learn War no more.' If we would hasten the day, we have only to throw ourselves into the current, and we may row with the tide. There may be here and there a counter current; but the main stream is flowing steadily on, and the order of Providence is rolling forward the sure result."

Such is the cause to which our labours are devoted; so vast, so noble and sublime in itself; so coincident with Heaven's own plans of love in its aims; so rich in blessings for the world; and, by the guaranty of God's own Word, so certain of suc

cess.

And we invite all the friends of human welfare to unite together in advancing this great and good cause. Especially we invite all those who are engaged in the diversified activities of benevolence, by which the present day is distinguished. We invite them particularly, because the existence of the custom of War opposes the grand obstacle to the success of their various enterprizes, and absorbs the resources they might otherwise apply to the accomplishment of their ends. We invite them, because, while they are thus engaged in advancing the day of universal holiness and happiness, it certainly seems unsuitable that their sensibilities should slumber, in regard to the greatest curse and shame of christendom, and the most monstrous contradiction to the ultimate destiny of man. It certainly is an inconsistency, for them to be so intent on spreading Christianity abroad, and correcting minor contradictions to it at home; and yet be so backward to engage in the work of putting an end to this grand contradiction to the spirit of Christianity and the revealed purposes of God. They should be aware, that though they may go on converting Heathendom to Christianity; yet

if they convert it to no other kind of Christianity than the present fighting Christianity of Christendom, their converts must be re-converted, or the grand purposes of the Gospel, and its predictions concerning the world, will never be fulfilled. They should be aware, too, what a prodigious stumbling-block in the minds of the pagans, and what an obstacle to their reception of the Gospel, is found in the monstrous contrast between the peaceful spirit of the Gospel as it breathes from the sacred word, and as it is practically manifested in the conduct of those who offer it to them. This is no fiction. It has occurred more than once; and it should not be without its influence upon those who are engaged in extending Christianity over the earth.

Finally, a hearty union in this great and noble cause is strikingly recommended to Christians at the present day, by the happy influence it is calculated to have upon the spirit of Christian activity and zeal. It presents a common ground for union of feeling and action. It will form a common bond for all who are engaged in the diversified enterprises of Christian benevolence. It will do them all good to become members of the Peace Society, and thoroughly imbued with its spirit. They can come here and breathe a common atmosphere of love, and carry away a pure influence to animate all the other exertions in which they are engaged. It will lead them to "speak the truth in love."

The present is a day of agitation. The moral elements of the world seem all in commotion. There are parties, and subparties; there are conflicting principles, and conflicting exertions ;-and to hearken to the confused murmurs and discordant watchwords, one might be tempted to think of Babel and its throngs, rather than of God's chosen servants, under his eye working harmoniously to one common end, the building up of the great Temple of his Glory!

It is the age of exaggeration. The principle of communion -in its true developement one of the most beautiful principles of our nature, and so noble in some of its applications, runs the hazard, through exaggeration and undiscriminating allian