Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

"The whole may be thus characterized :

1st. Blacks, native Africans or descendants,

300

"2d. Mixed race-from whites and blacks, whites and na

tive Indians, native Indians and blacks, Asiatics and

whites, Asatice and blacks,

800

"3d. Aboriginals,

“4th. Asiatics, principally Malays,

[blocks in formation]

On this Second Anniversary of the Massachusetts Peace Society its offi. cers have the pleasure of announcing to their brethren, that the God of peace has smiled on the efforts for diffusing the pacific principles of his beloved Son, and has given great en couragement for more powerful and persevering exertions.

It is however proper to observe, that in representing the success of the Society as great, respect is had to the means employed. In any other view great effects are not to be expected from such limited means as have hitherto been at the command of the Executive Committee. The funds of the Society have principally consisted of the annual subscriptions of one dolVol. VI.-No. 1.

lar to each member. From this statement it must be evident that the pecuniary means have not comported with the magnitude of the object-PEACE

ON EARTH.

At the Annual Meeting of the last year there remained on hand, of the Sermon on War 590 copies-of the first Circular Letter 230. These, excepting a few copies, have been gra tuitously distributed; and 1500 copies of a second Circular Letter have been printed for the Committee of Inquiry, and distributed by them. In addition to these the Executive Committee have distributed 355 copies of the Solemn Review, and 2696 of the sev eral Numbers of the Friend of Peace. This statement includes what the members of the society have received according to the Constitution.

The gratuitous distributions have

not been confined to this State nor to the United States; they have been extended to Canada, Nova Scotia and New-Brunswick, on this continent; to France and Russia, on the continent of Europe; to Asia, by the Congregational and Baptist Missionaries; to various parts of the island of Great Britain, and to St. Domingo So far as information has been obtained the Tracts have been gratefully received, and have generally procured friends to the objects of the society

It has been

particularly the aim of the Executive Committee to excite the attention of men of intelligence and respectability, whose opinions and exertions would have influence on others. In this attempt they have been successful

In the course of the last year the society has been increased by the addition of 131 members. The whole number, so far as reports have been made, is 304*-of which 80 are minister, of religion; and the greater part of the new members are persons of respectable standing and influence.

But in estimating the prospects of success we are not limited to what has been done by this society, we may justly take into view the exertions of

others in the same cause.

In our own country two societies have been formed in the course of the year-the Peace Society of Maine, and the Cayuga Peace Society. Several others have been proposed if not actually established.

The Society in Ohio has been divid. ed into four organized branches; and the last accounts stated a probability that another branch would soon be formed, including a part of Indiana. The Ohio Society has published in the course of the year 8000 copies of several Numbers of the Friend of Peace, the most of which had been disposed of in October. The society consists of more than 100 members, among whom are some respectable clergymen and statesmen

Several of the pamphlets which have been circulated by the Massachusetts Peace Society, have gone through five or six editions in different parts of this country;-all of them have been reprinted, excepting the last Circular Letter and the Tenth Number of the Friend of Peace. To the New England Tract Society, and to several

Editors of Newspapers and Periodical Works, this society is under obligations for friendly and gratuitous aid in the good cause

The Divine influence in favour of peace has not been confined to the United States. We have friends and coadjutors in the neighbouring British Provinces, and in different parts of Europe. In London a Society has been formed for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace, between which and this society a correspondence has commenced The letter from the London Society, of June 18th, informs that they had then printed 2.000 Tracts. besides 20,000 copies of an Address to the public; and that they were preparing to translate some of their Tracts into foreign languages, and to introduce the subject among the neighbouring nations. From the character of several of their Commit. tee, whose names are known in this country, we may anticipate persever. ing exertions and favourable results.

In the enumeration of auspicious occurrences, the letters from His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, and His Excellency Prince Galitzin are worthy of particular notice, as containing a pledge that their "power and influ. ence shall be employed in striving to secure to the nations the blessings of that peace which they now enjoy." Nor should their condescension and goodness be forgotten in sending their letters in our own language We can hardly conceive how their letters could have more clearly expressed their approbation of the object of the society, or have been better adapted to encourage our hearts

On receiving these letters, believing it would be agreeable to Prince Galit zin, the Trustees elected him an Honorary Member of the Massachusetts Peace Society-which measure they hope will be approved by this meeting.

Many agreeable letters have been received in the course of the year : from which, as well as from verbal intelligence, it appears that prior to the establishment of Peace Societies, a far greater number of Christians than was generally supposed, had been shocked by the contrast between the spirit and practice of war, and the precepts and example of the Messiah.

* More than 20 names have since been reported.

Some

It has also appeared that the minds of other reflecting men have been remarkably open to receive light on the subject of war, and that but little attention has been necessary to convince them, that war is not a fruit of that wisdom which is from above. who have doubted the practicability of abolishing war, have professed a belief that the exertions of Peace Societies will do much good, that they will cause statesmen more seriously to reflect on the subject and thus prevent so frequent a recurrence of the calamity as would otherwise take place. This, it will be perceived, is admitting enough to justify the greatest exer

tions

But if it be correct to infer from what has been done with very limited expense and exertion, what might be done by more ample means and efforts, there will be no room to doubt that a hundredth part of the annual expenditures of Christian nations in preparing for war, if judiciously employed, would be sufficient, in twenty years, to abolish the custom from every country on which the gospel shines.

It does not require a learned education, nor much reflection, to convince men of common sense, that War is the Enemy and Peace the Friend of man. kind What if some men have been enriched by war; is it not obvious that they must have fattened on the spoils and blood of their brethren of another country, or on the toil and oppression of their fellow citizens? What if others complain that they have been impoverished and ruined by peace; is it not clear that the foundation of their bankruptcy was laid in the preceding war, or in their own improvident thirst for gain ?-But to one who is a gainer by war, thousands are sufferers; and to one who suffers by peace, thousands are gainers. Be sides, the existence of such a custom as war for the settlement of disputes, subjects every thing to hazard, and renders insecure the most prosperous and flourishing conditions of communities and individuals. This year they may be surrounded with every earthly comfort; the next they may be reduced to beggary or butchered by an army of ferocious and licensed robbers, urged on by a Christian gov. ernment!

Not only is war the greatest scourge and curse of nations-the means of despotism, oppression, poverty and wo, but it ever involves the most fla. grant injustice, and crimes of the deepest die. The fame of the conqueror, which resounds through the world, results from multiplying ten thousand fold the sin of Cain and the most atrocious crimes of unlicensed robbers and pirates. All that one nation gains by war is so much lost to another, or to suffering individuals; and nineteen out of twenty of the conquering nation are real sufferers by what is called a successful war

To this catalogue of evils we may add, that war is the grand reservatory and hotbed of vice and crime-from which every country is filled with felons, who live by depredation, till they find their way to the prison or the gallows.

To effect the abolition of such a custom, what exertions can be too great! Only to save such a town as Boston from the fate of Moscow, or from the usual calamities of a city taken by assault, would justify the expense of a hundred millions of dollars, and ten years of benevolent exertion throughout the United States. If this be doubted, let fancy for a mo. ment apply to this town the sacking of a city taken by storm ;-a hundred thousand ferocious troops-let loose from all restraint, inflamed by malignity, avarice and lust-plundering or burning your property according to their pleasure-filling your streets and houses with massacre and blood, violation and death! Say not that such a scene in Boston is impossible. For to such horrors every town and city on earth is now liable, in conse. quence of the popularity which has been given to war as a just and hon. ourable mode of deciding the controversies of Rulers. If no means are in operation to prevent it, better a dapted to the purpose than preparations for war, it may safely be said, that Boston is more likely to be sack. ed within ten years to come, than Mos. cow was ten years ago. To save this town, and all the towns and cities of the world from such horrible scenes is the object of Peace Societies. deed it embraces the virtue and hap. piness of the whole human family

In

If then there be any institution in which all mankind are interested, and which claims the favour and patronage of all, such are societies for the abolition of war and the promotion of peace.

Were there only a probability of such partial success as the doubting friends of the society admit, the object would justify the fervent prayers and vigorous exertions of every Christian in every country But there is something more than a probability of partial success; there is a moral certainty of complete success-provided, that exertions be made corresponding with the importance of the object And every cent which is given in this cause, may be the means of saving a hundred dollars in war taxes ;-and what is still more important, every cent may save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. For the cause is the Lord's, and he will give effect to benevolent exertions.

In this age the eye of benevolence has discovered that preventing evil is entitled to the front rank among the various modes of doing good; and that it is much better to prevent pauperism, beggary and crime, by seasonably providing the means of virtuous education and employment, than to support paupers, beggars and crim inals in a state of idleness and vice. May we not then reasonably presume that it will soon be discovered, that it is much better and cheaper, as well as more christian, to prevent war by pacific means, than to support such a barbarous, expensive and all-devour. ing custom? And that "the most noble of all ambitions is that of promoting peace on earth and good will to

man.

"

The dire calamities which have recently been felt on both continents-the progressive illuminations of the word of life. and the conciliating tendency of a thousand benevolent institutions, have all conspired to prepare the minds of Christians to listen to the principles of peace, to desire their dissemination, and to co operate in one form or another to emancipate the world from the guilt, the tyranny and the desolations of war.

In conclusion, it may be proper to indulge a thought on the auspicious coincidence of Anniversaries. This is

not only the Anniversary of the Massachusetts Peace Society, but also of the Annunciation of the Pacific Alliance in Europe, and of the birth of the Prince of Peace; who has taught us to love our enemies-to bless and curse not. In two of the neighbouring states, this day has been set apart for public thanksgiving and praise. May we not then rejoice in the belief that much will have been done in various parts of the world to aid the cause for which we are, assembled. May we not also indulge the pleasing hope that CHRISTMAS Will henceforth be generally appropriated to the work of promoting the design of the Saviour's mission,-that the anthem of angels will be be better understood,that on each successive return of this season the temples of the Lord in every land will be crowded with worshippers, and resound with the song

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHESTON EARTH PEACE-GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN.

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL AMONG THE INDIANS AND OTHERS IN NORTH-AMERICA-Nov. 6. 1817.

Or this valuable Report we can give only the outlines and principal facts. The Report contains pleasing accounts of the labours of the Missionaries employed by the Society: Rev. Dr. N. Porter in Fryeburg and the vicinity; Rev. Asa Piper in the vicinity of Belfast; Rev. Daniel Lovejoy at Robbinston and vicinity; Rev. Josiah Peet at Norridgewock and the vicinity; Rev John Sawyer at Brownville and the vicinity; Rev. Henry True at Appleton and the vicinity; Rev. Peter Nurse at Ellsworth and the vicinity; of Mr Sargent among the Stockbridge Indians; and Rev Mr. Alden among the Senacas and Munsees. From the account of the latter Mission we give the following extracts :

The Rev. Timothy Alden, (president of Alleghany College,) in pursuance of the appointment of the Society, has visited the Seneca and the Munsee Indians, and performed missionary service among the destitute white inhabitants of the South-western

[ocr errors]

settlements. He "made it a point to preach whenever and wherever an assembly could be collected; which sometimes scarcely amounted to 20, and seldom to more than 50 hearers, except upon the Sabbath, when he sometimes had nearly 200 At the white settlements, generally consisting of people from the eastern states," he writes, that "he was cordially received;" adding, that " in all places there was a readiness, and in most an eagerness, to hear the gospel; and frequent were the lamentations that this privilege is so rarely enjoyed in those out posts of Immanuel's kingdom." After a brief account of the establishment of a mission by a Society in New York at the Tuscarora village, containing 320 souls, and the expected ordination of Mr. James C Crane as their resident missionary, and of the religious state of the country, westerly from Lake Ontario, he proceeds to give information of the more immediate objects of our charity-the Indians.

"In Cornplanter's village, extending one mile along the banks of the Alleghany, are 48 persons, of different ages and both sexes. I preached twice on a Sabbath in the spacious house of that noble spirited chief, which was well filled, and mostly with Indians. Some of these were from Peter Krous's neighbourhood and from Cold Spring. Henry Obeel, Cornplanter's eldest son, a major in the late war, officiated as my interpreter. He performed with promptitude and in such a manner as to arrest the attention of the aboriginal part of my auditory. He has often interpreted in councils on subjects of business, but never before for a clergyman. Few if any of the Senecas have ever had so great advantages for an education as the major. In early life he was at school nearly 6 years in Philadelphia. He is a man of a very strong mind. At the close of each of my discourses, Cornplanter delivered an interesting address, in which he expressed his gratitude for the notice taken of him and his people. He said, 'I am always happy to see the ministers, and to have them preach at Jennesadaqua. We begin to understand something of the gospel. We have been in the dark, but we are begin.

ning to see light. I have long been convinced that we are wrong. I have often told my people that we must be wrong, and that you must be right, because you have the words of the Great Spirit written in a book.""

Mr. Alden had informed him the day before, that he was going to see Red Jacket and the Indians of his village. In one of his addresses, Cornplanter said, "I have often talked to Red Jacket about worshipping the Great Spirit in your way, but he has constantly told me, that he was determined never to conform to your way, that he meant to hold on in the way which his fathers had taught him. As your object is good, it can do no hurt to visit him and his people, but I do not think that he will take hold of it. If I thought Red Jacket would take hold of it, I would go with you to see Red Jacket, and talk to him. about it "-"On the following day," writes the missionary, "he obligingly accompanied us 14 miles, to Cold Spring. In passing difficult and dangerous places, he kindly took the lead, shewing us the safest course, and whenever we came to a piece of tolerable road, with much civility he would fall back, and, pointing for me to go forward, say, in broken English, good road, good road" Having taken notice of an Indian school, which he vis ited, under the care of Mr. Oldham, and of the salutary effect of his instructions and example; and of another at Cold Spring, "diligently taught by Mr. Elkinton, at the expense of the Friends, who have long bestowed their benevolent attentions on this section of the Seneca tribe;" he mentions his preaching at a private house. in Big Valley, nigh the upper end of the Indian reserve, which lies upon the Alleghany. Annel'-yēsh, a respectable chief, usually called Long John, and more than a dozen other indians attended the meeting. Mr. McKay, a gentleman well versed in the Seneca language, acted the part of an interpreter with ability The chief made a speech, in which he thanked me for coming to see the Indians and to preach to them, and wished me to express his grateful acknowledgements to the good people,

[ocr errors][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »