auspices together with a few general remarks upon the great cause they have espoused.

The Committee appointed at the first meeting, "to prepare and publish an account of the formation of the Society, and a statement of the views and principles, which it is the object of the Society to disseminate," have performed that duty, and have caused to be printed 500 copies of an octavo pamphlet of 24 pages. Three hundred and eighty nine of these have been gratuitously distributed, chiefly within this State.

The Address delivered at the semi-annual meeting in Pomfret, February 14th, by Samuel Perkins, Esq. was published by subscription in an edition of 500 copies, of which only 167 remain on hand. Besides these, several hundred of the publications of other Peace Societies in this country and England have been obtained for the use of this association. Ten dollars worth of these we have paid for, the residue have been given us. We are especially indebted to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Peace Societies; the Rev. Dr. Worcester of Brighton, the first mover in this great cause; also to the venerable Moses Brown and William Almy of Providence for sundry tracts; to William Jenkins of the same place for 12 copies of the "Essays of Philanthropos," and to Dr. Rowland Greene of Plainfield for three bound volumes of the Friend of Peace. The four last named gentlemen are respectable members of the pacific Society of Friends. So many of these books and pamphlets have been given away or loaned by the Directors, as they have had favorable opportunities thus to dispose of them.

In addition to these means of diffusing information respecting the object of this association, there have also been published in the Windham County Advertiser, a variety of articles, original and selected, tending to expose the wickedness and the impolicy of war. Moreover letters have been written to many individuals in different parts of Connecticut, soliciting their attention to the cause of Peace, to most of which letters, very gracious answers have been returned.

Thus, by methods deemed most expedient, the Directors have laboured the past year to promote the object of this Society. We have reason to believe that our efforts have produced some impression favorable to the sacred and interesting design of promoting "Peace on earth, good will to men." We are happy to say, that we have become acquainted during the past year with not a few enlightened men in divers places, who have embraced the pacific principles of the gospel, and are ready to cooperate in their dissemination. We would mention with peculiar pleasure, the effort that is making in Tolland County to form an association similar to our own. In a letter from the Rev. Mr. Loomis, of Willington, we are informed that the plan of a Peace Society is to be laid before the Consociation of that County, at their next

session; and that he has reason to expect they will readily adopt it. Other gentlemen have written us to express their entire approbation of the project to abolish the custom of War. In short, we are confident, from our experience the past year, that very many minds may be found in all parts of our community, who will be ready to embrace most cordially the cause of Peace, whenever the claims of that cause upon every Christian, every Philanthropist, every Patriot shall be plainly set before them.

Who then will venture to say that our exertions to correct public opinion may not be crowned by the most important results. Though the sphere in which we act may be comparatively limited, we must not refuse to do our duty therein. Though we may have but one talent, we must not bury it, but use it to the best advantage. Let us then see to it, that every mind within our reach be thoroughly imbued with the pacific precepts and spirit of the Gospel, and leave the event with that omniscient, omnipotent Being, the God of Peace, who presides over all, and who delights to bless the creatures he has made.

[Want of room has obliged us to omit much of this interesting Report.]

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SUGGESTIONS OF BISHOP HEBER FOR PREVENTING INSURRECTIONS IN INDIA.

In the Christian Observer, for May 1827, are found some letters written by the late Bishop Heber, on the natives of India, in which he endeavored to correct some gross mistakes in re gard to the character of the Hindoos; and in which he also suggests means to prevent their rising against the British government of that country.

"I had heard," he says, "all my life, of the gentle and timid Hindoos, patient under injuries, servile to their superiors, &c. Now this is doubtless to a certain extent true of the Bengalese, who are never reckoned among the nations of Hindostan by those who speak the language of the country. On entering Hindostan, properly so called, I was struck and surprized to find a people equal in stature and strength to the average of European nations-exhibiting in their appearance, conversation, and habits of life, a grave, a proud, and decidedly a martial character, accustomed universally to the use of arms and athletic exercises from their cradles, and preferring very greatly, military service to any other means of livelihood.

"But to say that the Hindoos or Mussulmans are deficient in any essential feature of a civilized people, is an assertion which I can scarcely suppose to be made by any who have lived with them. Their manners are at least as pleasing and courteous as those in the corresponding stations of life among ourselves; their houses are larger, and, according to their wants and climate, to the full as convenient as ours. Nor is it true, that in the mechanic arts, they are inferior to the general run of European nations.-They are so inquisitive, and have such opportunities of information, that it is ap VOL. IV. NO. 14. 55

parent how little sense there is in the doctrine, that we must keep them in ignorance if we would continue to govern them. They know enough already to do us a great deal of mischief, if they should find it their interest to make the trial. And the question is, whether it is not the part of wisdom, as well as duty, to superintend and promote their education, while it is yet in our power, and supply them with such knowledge as will be at once most harmless to ourselves and most useful to them.

"In this work the most important part is to give them a better religion."

This discerning and amiable Bishop, who had been a personal observer of the character of the Hindoos, was evidently of the opinion that it was folly to rely on the ignorance of that people as any security against their revolt; and that it would be a wise measure to superintend their education, and imbue their minds with the benevolent principles of the Christian religion. If the true principles and spirit of the religion of the gospel should be seasonably and generally imbibed by the Hindoos, they would be unquestionably rendered a more happy and peaceable people, and less dangerous to the government of India.

But, alas! what is the situation of the Britons in regard to recommending to the Hindoos that religion which breathes nothing but peace and love! Perhaps millions of the people of India have already been sacrificed to the avarice, ambition, and revenge of men, who professed this very religion. If the Hindoos are to infer the character of the Messiah and his religion from the barbarous conduct of the Britons, in conquering their country, they would naturally suppose that Christ was a military chieftain like Mahomet, his followers robbers and murderers, and his religion peculiarly adapted to render men warlike and ferocious. If then the people of Britain, for their own advantage, wish to imbue the Hindoos with the Christian principles of peace, they should, in the first place, confess their sins to God and to the natives of India, freely acknowledging that their conquest of the country, their innumerable military robberies and murders, were all in violation of the precepts of their own religion; then, laying aside their haughty, martial, and vindictive spirit and attitude, set an example of the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and of the justice and benevolence of the Gospel. In this way they might hope for access to the minds and hearts of the natives, and to make an impression which would tend to perpetuate their government in India, and render it a real blessing to all the inhabitants of the country.

We are clearly of the opinion that the policy, recommended by Bishop Heber, is wise and benevolent, if his meaning was to give to the Hindoos the Christian religion, unassociated with the barbarous military principles, which have long been popular in Britain and other countries denominated Christian. It is, perhaps, the only policy which can save the British government in India from subversion and ruin.

With equal propriety the same policy may be recommended in our country, in relation to our two millions of colored people. Our policy has hitherto been like that of the Britons towards the Hindoos, to keep the slaves in ignorance to prevent insurrections. But this is sowing the wind, and a whirlwind is the natural harvest from such seed. Such a policy, it is firmly believed, cannot be much longer pursued with impunity, either by the Britons in India, or by the white population of the United States. In its nature, it is positive injustice; and injustice naturally tends to ruin. God is on the side of the oppressed, and his Providence will punish the oppressors. "That which a man soweth shall he also reap ;" and this has been the fate of nations as well as individuals. The impressive lan guage of Jefferson, "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just," may well be adopted by every Englishman in India, or in Ireland, and by every white man in the United States. The military preparations and apparatus, so much relied on by Britons and Americans, may, by the providence of God, be converted into besoms of destruction, to sweep from the earth, those who rely on such means of defence, while they hold their brethren in fetters of servitude.

JANE TAYLOR ON NELSON'S VICTORY.

Colchester, Dec. 20, 1805.

"BUT now for your grave and appropriate question, namely, 'What do you think of this famous victory? To which, after due consideration, I reply, Why, pray what do you think of it? for I make little doubt that we have thought much alike on the subject. Should you however question this, and suppose that my humbler ideas have not reached to the same height as yours, I will convince you of the contrary by endeavoring to recal some of the reflections inspired by this famous victory.' And at first I thought it was a very famous victory;' did not you? And, besides this and much more, I thought a great many things that the newspapers had obligingly thought ready for me. Well, but to speak in a graver strain, and if you are disposed to hear what I have really thought about our late glorious victory, why read on.

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"Now, impressed with the idea that my private opinion could in no way effect the public weal, I have allowed myself to form one without restraint, well knowing that I might vainly endeavor to pluck one leaf from the hero's laurel, even if I were disposed to do so, which I assure you I am not. For every one who performs his part with zeal and success, claims respect; and who can deny that Nelson has nobly performed his? But tell me, is the character of the warrior in itself to be admired, or rather can it be loved? From what motives does a man first devote himself to the trade of war? Do you not think it is more often from a desire of glory than from patriotism? And now, though I have often endeavored to discover what there is, either amiable or generous, in the love of glory, I have never yet been able to discern it. I cannot tell how or why it is a less selfish principle than the love of riches. Is he not in reality the truest patriot who fills up his station in

private life well-he who loves and promotes peace, both public and private ; who, knowing that his country's prosperity depends more on its virtue than its arms, resolves that his individual endeavors shall not be wanting to promote this desirable end; and is not he the greatest hero who is able to desnise public honors for the sake of private usefulness; he who has learned to subdue his own inclinations, to deny himself every gratification inconsist ent with virtue and piety, who has conquered his passions and subdued his own spirit? Surely he is greater than he that taketh a city,' or a squadron. If the great men of the earth did but act on these principles, our heroes would be sadly at a loss for want of employment. I fear they would be obliged to turn to making ploughshares and pruning-hooks.

"Now, perhaps, you will call me an ungrateful creature, but really I think am not so; though certainly I have not joined without some secret misgiv ings in the unqualified plaudits that have sounded from all quarters. If so many brave men must be sacrificed, I heartily rejoice that the dear-bought victory is ours; but how is it possible, while we regard them not merely as machines of war, but as immortal beings, to rejoice without sorrow and dismay in the result of the rencontre ?"-Memoirs and Remains of the late Jane Taylor, vol. ii. p. 142,

THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC EXECUTIONS.

THE late execution of Jesse Strang for an atrocious murder, has occasioned many newspaper remarks. It is supposed that more than 30,000 people were assembled on the occasion, of whom a great number were females! It has also been reported, that many crimes were committed by some of the spectators; and that in the course of a few days, one of the witnesses committed the same crime for which he had seen Strang executed, and is now likely to share a similar fate.

We have also observed with pleasure, that people are becoming more and more convinced, that public executions are of pernicious tendency. In this we sincerely rejoice, because we have long been of the opinion, that such scenes tend to harden the hearts of men, and that, instead of being means of reformation or prevention, they are, in fact, means of multiplying crimes. If the malefactor, at the gallows, displays a remarkable share of hardihood and bravery, glorying in his feats of mischief, and despising the terrors of death, others of similar dispositions are emboldened to pursue their career of crime, hoping that, in case of detection, they also shall die heroes. On the other hand, if the criminal appears truly penitent and humble, he naturally interests the feelings of the spectators in his favor, and against the laws which will not suffer even the penitent offender to live. Besides, as it is very common for malefactors to be reported as having evinced unfeigned repentance, cordial submission, and cheering hopes at the gallows, many may be encouraged to go on in sin by the belief that, should they ultimately be brought to the halter, they will be quite as likely to repent and be saved, as those who are more apparently honest ;-that the gallows will very probably be to them as the gate to heaven, and that they shall leave behind them, for the consolation of their friends, the honorable fame of having " died in the Lord."

We shall not deny that there have been such occurrences as genuine conversions of malefactors under sentence of death; but such supposed conversions are, in general, of a very questionable character; and the manner in which they are too commonly spoken of and blazoned abroad, tends, as we believe, to defeat the object proposed by human punishments, the prevention of crimes.