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into many languages, and gone to all civilized lands. In this country it was followed by immediate results. The Massachusetts Peace Society was formed the next year, December 28, 1815, "and if there was a happy man that day on earth," says Dr. Channing, "it was the founder of this institution." Under the sanction of this Society he began in 1819 the publication of the first periodical of the kind, "The Friend of Peace;" which was continued in quarterly numbers for ten years, nearly all of it from his own pen. And we suppose it is hazarding nothing to say, that no one man in the world has done so much to rouse the general mind to the evils of war, and awaken at least an interest in behalf of peace throughout Christendom, as Noah Worcester.

There are many, and some among good men, who would not envy him this reputation. There were few who went with him entirely when he began to write, and there are few now to whom his views do not seem extravagant. And yet we do not remember to have ever heard him called a fanatic. His character forbade it. His uniform temper forbade it, on whatever subject he wrote. Naturally quick and vehement, he had schooled himself into perfect composure and gentleness. He did not fight for peace. In him was no war of passions, or of words. He breathed the spirit which he inculcated. Never was a man better fitted to speak for peace. And has he not spoken strongly, as well as gently? Can he be refuted? We have no space, and perhaps no right here, to take up the subject. But we should do little justice to our own sense of its importance, as well as to the memory of him whose life is before us, if we failed to say, that we have as strong and immoveable a faith in the soundness of his views of this subject, as in the truth of Christianity. If Jesus has said anything clearly and incontrovertibly, he has said that which is utterly inconsistent with war. For deduct as we may from the literalness of his precepts, the question remains, and must be answered,-will those precepts bear any sense, which is not violated by any and every kind of war? And even if Jesus had given no direct precepts, could the spirit of his religion be fully manifested, can its design be ever fulfilled, while war is continued or countenanced? For ourselves, we thank the biographer of Dr.

Worcester, that he has made this his chief glory. "His labors for peace elevate him to a rank among his Master's most efficient co-workers, and the substantial benefactors of his race." And heartily do we enter into the feeling which the aged disciple and faithful laborer himself expressed, before his death: "If I am thankful for anything, I think I am thankful that I was not called out of the world in darkness on the subject of war, and that my mind has been led to examine the subject with so much care. I can reflect on no part of my life or my labors with more pleasure, than on what has been devoted to the cause of peace."

At the age of seventy Dr. Worcester resigned the office of Secretary of the Peace Society, desiring to devote the few years that might be yet given him to distinctly religious subjects. Though infirm and afflicted for years with painful disease, he wished not to be idle, but worked on to the end. His mind seemed unimpaired, and he engaged earnestly in studies which resulted in works of permanent value, such as are not often produced at that period of life. He had not to this time felt entirely satisfied in regard to some of the doctrines of Christianity. Early impressions still remained, and he resolved even at the last hour to inquire how far they were right, and if not right to discard them. The result is known. His book on "The Atoning Sacrifice, a Display of Love, not of Wrath," which has gone through two editions here, and three or four in England; his little treatise on the "Causes and Evils of Contention among Christians," a subject always near his heart, and on which his whole life had spoken; and his larger work with the title of "Last Thoughts on Important Subjects," treating particularly of human depravity and freedom, have been given to the world. Besides these he wrote largely on many kindred themes, and left an astonishing amount of manuscripts ready for the press. Some of these Dr. Ware examined and marked for publication, relating to the Messiah's Kingdom, the Bible, Redemption, Reformation, etc. He wrote numerous poetical articles also, enough, his son says, to make a large volume. The fertility and activity of his mind at that age surprise us. He seems never to have been idle, and never to have read or thought on any subject without writing upon it. It was

this habit in part, perhaps, that led to so diffuse a style, and exposed him to repetition. He may have written too much and read too little. He certainly wrote from his own mind, more than from other minds. It may not be best to publish the half that he has left, but we hope a selection will soon be given to the public.

Not least would it please us to see his thoughts on the last subject which occupied his extreme age- Slavery. It was a fit conclusion of a long life devoted to truth, peace, liberty and love. Dr. Ware says, "he wrote and re-wrote with care a considerable treatise for the press, not many months before his death," on the subject of Slavery. Loose pieces and various essays on this subject have also been found among his papers. Whatever their comparative value, and whatever his views, it would gratify many to know how such a man, on the verge of life, regarded the most important and difficult question affecting the destiny of our country.

Dr. Worcester lived to the age of seventy-nine. He died at Brighton, October 31, 1837, in calm faith and the hope full of immortality. We attempt no delineation of his character. His humility and candor, his conscientiousness and courage, his love of truth, his spirit of piety, his fidelity to every talent and trust, his disinterested and unbounded benevolence, appear in every part of his life. 'His heart was open as the day,' and every one who approached him in any way could read it. We are grateful for his life. We think not of his death, for such men never die. We are grateful for these Memoirs, broken and unfinished as they are. We thank God, that he permitted Henry Ware to spend his last strength upon the life of Noah Worcester. And we have felt, that the least we could do, was to record the prominent events of that life, in the pages of a journal so associated in its origin with the name of this Christian philanthropist.

E. B. H.

ART. VII.-OUR RELIGIOUS TIMES.

An Address delivered before the "Association of the Alumni of the Cambridge Theological School," on the 12th of July, 1844. By Rev. N. L. FROTHINGHAM, D. D.

FELLOW STUDENTS AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERS: -It is with unaffected reluctance that I have come here to-day, to endeavor to perform a service, which I had no opportunity to decline. Not from any insensibility to the honor you have conferred, and not from any indifference to the time and occasion. These meetings of those who have been trained to the sacred profession under the same influences furnish fit audience, however few, to call out the exercise of the best powers. And these returning seasons, these eras so soon closed of what we call the student-life, these little generations of three years, these religious "commencements " which have reminded us this morning that the oldest among us are continuing to learn what the youngest are just undertaking to teach, are full of the most serious and tender associations. But the topics to which I am the most used, and the most attached by use, - whether relating to theoretical or practical religion, would be here out of place. A ministerial position that has been somewhat recluse offers few advantages and leaves small inducement to deviate into unaccustomed subjects. I could wish, therefore, that this service had been committed to hands. not so entirely mistrustful of possessing any power either to instruct or gratify you. This apologetic preface shall close, however, with the simple expression of confidence that your candor will excuse every thing, with which you are wearied or from which you dissent, in a discourse that your inexorable kindness has compelled me to prepare.

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In deciding upon its theme, I have been led, though with some misgiving, to choose that of the posture of our religious times; if, indeed, that can be called a posture which is never in repose. Our part of the Gospel domain has been reached by the agitations of opinion, that have shaken and divided all other parts. It is continually presenting different aspects, which it may be interesting to contemplate. It is continually turning up to view different devices. and modes of action, which may profitably be put to the

question, whether they are wise or not. There are cravings among our congregations, unknown to the more quiet days that have passed by; and there are movements among those who guide them, that would have seemed strange to their predecessors; and there are tendencies in various directions, leading to good, no doubt, in the general result, but which at present are of a mixed and uncertain character, dangerous from being overcharged, and in some instances threatening the wildest revolutions. Here is more ground than I could well cover at once, or lay out in any even distributions. But will you give me your indulgence, in a rambling course of remarks upon these recent phenomena; in a few observations, not very nicely arranged, upon some of the experiments and dangers of our own religious day, and in our own religious denomination? And let no one start at the phrase, "our denomination," on an occasion so general as that on which we are assembled. No one will have reason to complain, I hope, if the term is defined rather rigorously. I am aware that very different creeds and church methods may be arrayed before me in this holy and academic spot, that brings together and disperses abroad every year a fresh family of the most various persuasions. I am aware that the School at which we were nursed may number among its children - good and faithful children, too-persons who have arrived at very different results of inquiry. For it is a generous institution, inviting research, imposing no stint and declaring no disabilities. Let me greet them all, the farthest off from my way of thinking as friendly as those that are the nearest. But I know also as well that it has brought us up, in the main, according to the largeness of its free nature. I know that, on the great points that divide Christendom, we are on the whole agreed. We are Protestant; we are Congregational; we are un-Calvinized. If there are any of whom this is not true, they must be an extremely small company. I do not feel called upon, therefore, by any supposed proprieties of the occasion, to suppress or avoid the fact. It shall rather be assumed; and not studiously kept out of sight, as if we would appear ignorant of it, or were sorry for it. I desire to record my allegiance to the community of a faith, the broadest that is known among revering believers. I rejoice that it brings so many of us as it does

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