Page images
PDF
EPUB

edly the right of self-defence, but we are persuaded that the expedi ency of waiving the right on the ground of its inevitable abuse, offers a position on which he can safely stand. Making all due allowance for the perversion of the doctrine, it may yet be asserted that the extent of a Christian's permitted, we might say, commanded, reliance on the succours of an overruling Providence, is but imperfectly apprehended, even by pious men. We are well aware, that the idea of trusting to Providence, when armed legions are pouring down upon us, will be at once branded as the height of fanatical folly. Yet the charge moves us not. We grant, indeed, that if a people in such circumstances are not unanimously confiding, they cannot assure themselves of divine protection. The right-minded may suffer from their fellowship with the unbelieving. But let any community, in the spirit of meekness, conscientiously and unitedly cast themselves upon the defences of Omnipotence, and that not merely as a temporary expedient, but as part of a general course of devout obedience, and we see not why the same power which planted an impregnable bulwark around the ancient race of Israel, so long as they remained steadfast in allegiance, will not interpose for the safety of those who trust in his Providence, from the fear of transgressing his law. Or if we suppose that they should fail to be protected, and should become the victims of a brutal soldiery, yet their voluntary sacrifice, which could easily be compensated in another world, would tell so powerfully on the moral interests of the universe, that they could even afford to make it. But after all, our views of the grand process which is to result in the abolition of war, repudiate the hypothesis of one people's thus invading and destroying another, from the mere wantonness of cruelty; for the same causes which will render the one averse to resisting evil, will make the other unwilling to inflict it."

3.—The Peace-maker's exalted Parentage and rich Inheritance: a Sermon, &c. By the Rev. Cornelius C. Vanarsdalen. Hartford: 1834. pp. 31.

THIS discourse was delivered at New Haven, in June last, during the session of the Legislature of the State, by appointment of the Connecticut Peace Society. After a brief but vivid exhibition of the evils and miseries of war, and its deadly moral influences, the author proceeds to consider the application of the text,-" Blessed are the Peace-makers; for they shall be called the sons of God"— to efforts for the suppression of the custom of public war. He shows that the blessing here announced, rests on those who seek to make peace, to promote and diffuse the peaceful spirit of the Gospel among men, as well as to cherish and exhibit it in their own persons.

He justly argues, that if by the obligation here implied, we are to do every thing in our power to put a stop to hatred, dissension and strife among individuals, we must of course with equal, or with larger reason, be bound to do every thing in our power for the suppression of war and the promotion of peace among nations. The encouragements to effort and the modes of exertion are then pointed out, and strongly and eloquently enforced. The whole discourse is written in a fervid and glowing style; we hope that its delivery and its publication will contribute largely to promote the good cause to which it is devoted; and that the blessing pronounced upon the peace-maker may rest upon the excellent author.

We have room only for the following sentence:

66

Every one will admit that the cause of Peace is beautiful in theory-that it proposes the richest blessings to mankind. Nor can any doubt for a moment that such an object is worthy of their efforts, and that God demands of them, to the utmost of their power, to strive for its accomplishment. Yet they ask how can it be done? The answer is plain, and the means are perfectly practicable. Let pastors of churches, or other friends to the cause, at once begin to organize Peace Societies through the land-let these societies take their place by the side of our missionary, and Bible, and tract societies, for they belong to the same heaven-born family, and are by no means behind the most important of them all."

Entelligence.

PEACE SOCIETIES.-RESOLUTIONS, &c.

BRITISH SOCIETY for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace.— Through the kindness of the Secretary, we have received, since our last number was published, several documents, containing, among other things, the proceedings of the Eighteenth Annual Meeting and the Report of this Society.

The Annual Meeting was held on the 20th of May last. Samuel Gurney, Esq., in the Chair.-Several able and highly interesting addresses were delivered on the occasion, but our limits forbid us the pleasure of doing any thing more than thus alluding to them. This Society, like that of Geneva, and the Society of Christian Morals at Paris, appears to be directing its attention to the question of the abolition of capital punishment.-Among the resolutions past at the meeting, was one directing the Committee to open a correspondence with the "Société de la Morale Chrétienne" established at Paris, with reference to the printing and circulating of tracts in France, and appropriating £100 to that object.

From the Report it appears that, during the year, Auxiliary Societies had been established at Manchester, Norwich, and Hitchin. The public journals had of late reprobated war, in terms indicating an increasing conviction of

its impolicy. The tone of the political press shows that this conviction is fast gaining a wide and deep hold upon the public mind.-A new tract had been issued, entitled an Essay on War, by Joseph John Gurney, Esq. New editions of tracts had been published, making altogether 50,000 for the year, and forming a total of 694,245 since the establishment of the Society. Abstracts of the Reports of various Auxiliary Societies are then given, showing that the principles of the Society are, beyond doubt, rapidly spreading themselves. The Report closes with an animating account of the co-operation of the Geneva, the Paris, and American Societies.

GENEVA.-The Count de Sellon, the Founder and President of the Geneva Peace Society, in his Address at the Third Anniversary of the Society, says: "I have received lively proofs of interest in, and sympathy for, our cause, on the part of the Society of Christian Morals at Paris. Several academies and societies, upon appointing me for their correspondent, have done me the honor to request me to communicate to them al! that related to the Peace Society, and to the cause which it has embraced. I will do what I can to cultivate these good dispositions."-M. de Sellon called another meeting, which renewed the offer of a prize for an Essay on the best means of securing a general and permanent peace. The Programme adopted by the Society at its sitting on the 1st of February, 1834, gives a sketch of the principal ideas to be embraced in the Essays. The authors are to show that offensive war is contrary to the precepts of the gospel and of humanity, and opposed to the progress of civilization, the real prosperity of the people, as well as to the interests of governments.-The arguments of the apologists for war are to be refuted by proofs drawn from reason, and from facts, supported by authorities. (The principle of the inviolability of the life of man, and a brief developement of their ideas on duelling, are also suggested.)—They will next examine, 1st, What are the laws and existing institutions which may be considered as favorable to war; 2d, What laws, what institutions, and what measures, will lead to the establishment of a general and permanent peace.

FRANCE. Society of Christian Morals.-This Society, embracing many of the highest public officers of government, and of the most eminent men of France, still continues to maintain a correspondence with the Peace Societies of England, Geneva, and America; and to notice and advocate the objects of these Societies in its Journal. It thus concludes its description of the object of the American Peace Society: "We must hope that Christianity will, sooner or later, triumph over war; and that this horrible custom will cease from moistening the earth with blood, breaking the social ties which unite men with each other."-In a recent number of that Journal, considerable extracts are given from Clarkson's "Essay on the Doctrines snd Practice of the Early Christians, as they relate to War."-Among the subjects to which the labors of the Society are directed, are: "The abolition of the Slave Trade and Slavery ;"- The causes, the errors, and the effects of national hatred, and the best means of effecting their abolition."

RESOLUTIONS OF CONSOCIATIONS.-The following Resolutions were passed at the meeting of the North Consociation of Hartford county, at East-Windsor, on the 18th of September last :

1. That while the temporal evils of war seem almost to defy calculation, we regard its agency in destroying the souls of men, and its baneful influence on the spiritual interests of the world, as the most lamentable of all its results, and as demanding the special attention of the Christian community.

2. That the prevalence, among Christian nations, of evangelical sentiments on the subject of Peace, is necessary to prepare the way for the universal triumph of the gospel.

At the meeting of the Consociation of Tolland county, at Bolton, on the 8th of October, the above resolutions were likewise passed; and, in addition, the two following:

Intelligence.

[Dec.

3. That we recommend the cause [of Peace] to Christians, as worthy of a place among the benevolent enterprises of the age; and recommend that ministers preach on the subject.

4. That this Consociation recommend the cause to ministers within its limits, and request their aid by uniting with the Connecticut Peace Society, or subscribing for the "American Advocate of Peace."

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

POLITICAL RELATIONS OF EUROPE.-Notwithstanding the continuance of conflicts and internal agitations in several countries, pacific relations are still preserved between the European powers. The policy of the British Gov. ernment is expressed in the King's speech :-"It has been the constant aim of my policy to secure to my people the uninterrupted enjoyment of peace. In this, I have been much assisted by the good understanding which has been established between my government and that of France."-The diplomatic body at Paris, in their address to Louis Phillippe, say :-" The continuance of peace has given daily proofs of its inestimable advantages to governments and nations. The wisdom of the monarchs who have taken care to maintain it hitherto, will find the means of preserving it for the future."-The King, in his answer, replies: "You know the desires I have ever cherished for the maintenance of peace, and my constant efforts to obtain that most desira ble object. It is, above all things, in the duration of peace, that its inestimable benefits can be developed." Such sentiments, prevailing in these two governments, and in other great powers of Europe, give us ground to hope that a successful attempt may be made to terminate, by mediation, the present civil wars in Portugal and Spain.

PROJECTED ALLIANCE OF THE UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL.-The subjoined extract from a Rio paper of the 22d of August, contains a project of a politi cal union between that country and our own. several years ago, by the Republic of Guatemala, but was not accepted. A similar proposal was made,

Rio Janeiro. In the House of Deputies the following bill was offered, and a motion was made to proceed to the consideration of it immediately, which was rejected. We deem it unnecessary to add any commentary, remarking that we publish the bill in the exact form in which it was presented by the Deputies Franca.

Decree of the Legislative General Assembly.

Article 1.-The Empire of Brazil and the United States of America shall form a union for their mutual defence against foreign aggression, and for their common advantage in matters of domestic interest.

Art. 2.-The two nations shall assist each other with all their forces, against any hostile attack, and shall contribute annually for this purpose, such sums as may be agreed upon.

Art. 3.-Each of the two nations shall have Representatives in the National Assembly of the other.

Art. 4.- The products of each nation shall be received in the ports of the other, on the same footing with its own, and held exempt from any foreign duty.

Art. 5.-The two nations shall aid each other in effecting a communication from one to the other, of the useful institutions, arts, and products, that may now belong respectively to each.

Art. 6. The citizens of each of the two nations shall enjoy, in the territory of the other, all the privileges of natives.

Art. 7.-Questions of right, occurring between citizens of the two nations, shall be decided, either by mutual consent, by arbitration, or by a jury composed of equal numbers of both.

Art. 8. The nations bind themselves to aid each other in the preservation

of a national form of government, and against any dangers that may threaten their moral or physical improvement.

Art. 9.-The Government of Brazil will endeavor to negociate a treaty of alliance to this effect, which shall be permanent.

Art. 10. This treaty, when concluded, shall be laid before the General Assembly for its consideration and approval.

Art. 11. All preceding laws in contravention of this, are revoked.
House of Deputies, August 18th, 1834.

[blocks in formation]

SLAVERY.-This subject has created a very deep and pervading interest in the country; and, for some time past, has called forth no small degree of bitterness and violence throughout the community, besides being the occasion of the riots in New-York, last spring.

We earnestly hope that all bitterness will be laid aside, in the discussion of this subject. Why should it exist? We believe there is common ground upon which all just and good men may be brought to meet; and if ever any thing effectual is done for the emancipation of the slaves, this ground must be found and taken. Public feeling is awake; public opinion is in a forming state. The great question, it seems to us, is this: the absolute unjustifiableness of holding human beings as PROPERTY, being granted,-what is the COROLLARY, or consequence of this principle, with reference to the slave population of the United States? Is it IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION, meaning thereby, the immediate cessation, on the part of the masters, not only of acts of ownership, but also of control; and on the part of the States, the immediate repeal of existing slave laws, and the putting of the blacks upon the same civil and political footing as the whites? Or is it GRADUAL EMANCIPATION, meaning thereby, the cessation, on the part of the masters, of all acts of ownership; the repeal, by the States, of all laws recognizing the right of ownership; and then, the placing of the blacks under the jurisdiction and protection of special laws, by which they shall be subjected to a special guardianship and control, adapted to prepare them as fast as possible for the performance of the duties, and the full enjoyment of the rights of freemen; and with the intention of then admitting them to the exercise of those rights?

Now we think it is a grave and solemn question, which the feelings of the just and good people of this country demand shall yet be discussed, and discussed candidly and calmly: Which is the true and just CONSEQUENCE of the PRIN

CIPLE?

RIOTS. Political Violence.-The recent elections in the city of New-York, we are happy to learn, have been gone through with, without any renewal of those scenes of violence apprehended by many. The destructive riots in that place a few months since, the subsequent destruction of the convent at Charlestown, and the more recent scenes of violence and bloodshed at Philadelphia, mark a new and most disgraceful era in the history of this country; and certainly justified the most serious apprehensions. We devoutly hope they are the last occurrences of the kind. A liberty which is above lawwhich is nothing but licentiousness and anarchy-is a greater curse to any nation than the most grinding despotism.-In this connexion, we may observe that we cannot but look with the deepest affliction and most serious alarm, at the indications of a disposition to excite and array the passions of one portion of the community against the other. All are parts of a great whole; and nothing can be more wicked, or ultimately more certainly destructive of every valuable end of the social and civil state, than the attempt to disturb the sentiments of mutual kindness and respect which should bind all the members of the body politic together,-to draw invidious lines of distinction and division,-to administer provocatives to the malignant passions of one portion of the people, and to direct their violence against any other portion.

« PreviousContinue »