Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-04-23
Peace Societies.

One OF the peculiar characteristics of the ,.r-.
OF Jesus Christ, is the peaceful spirit il brss'i''s
While.on earth, he incucated a mild. placaLla !"
giving temper and he himself exhibited nr.s o'-
example OF what he taught If Che sad Inv ny,
err sin against thee, seven times and seven TN
turn again, saying repent, thou shalt forgive h;l
and, ia still stronger terms say not unto ,h.,
seven times only (shall injuries be foroive,, -.
seventy times seven. OF the Saviour 6;msas y. w.
are told, that when he was reyiled he rav;IaI vs.
again when he was prosecuted he Threatened a a'
but submitted unto him that iudgeth reh,eo.. ~
With such precepts, and such an examine vho ~.
doubt, what ought to be the disposition Of ,bs ~,
lowers OF Jesus. When the Saviour's birth u,. -.
nounced, instead of the awful terrors of Moun, {;
mai, angels IN songs of joy. proclaimed, peace !.
earth, and good will among men the minister !,
the former dispensation, were armed with no,..
aud authority to hur destruction on the enemies -
their God but the ministers of the gospel w.,,
sent out with different commission /; il N, d
heal the sick, TO raise the dead TO cleanse the /.
| rous, to cast out devils. The christian rel;v;a.
was propagated not by the sword bu, Nv a.
ment and persuasion, by the powerful di.plsy ~
vine truth, and by the preaching of the word. .;s
the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven. NJ
shows us the pacific character Of our religion -
the temper which christians should cult;v,.
Nothing in the New-Testament directly autho,s
yes resort 10 the sword but we are eyerv xh..
forbidden TO indulge our passions. And instead 4
being resentful we are required to be poor il anrt
The pursuit of glory and fame, are absolutely con-
demned it is incompatible with the hlmil,v
which should distinguish the christian. The inst.
tuition OF Peace Societies is one of the most ausn-
cious signs of the times. 1t has beamed a new raw
of hope into our minds. 1t leads us to expect
more rapid apl roach of those days hen the pa
OF men shall 10 longer tumultuo usly rage in war
when the arts of peace shall be universally cutiy,
ted, and when, in the language Of scripture. ever
man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree with.
out any to mo!est, or make him afraid. This bsp-
4 py event must be the result of united exerox.
| Christians .hould all lend their aid. The tins
promise success o these efforts. The flame wbxb
is but kindIed here, has spread through Eurox.
There, societies have been formed, and Princsoi
powerful kingdoms, instead Of associating for pr.
| pose Of war, have Joined their hands ia 4 idy
league for peace. This is novel event in the H.
tory oftile world. On such design, heaven VII
| smile. The Ruler of nations has already restoNa
! peace to Europe and the world.
" hat opinion must the heather form Of our rele
ion, BY what they read in the history OF Chrnia
| nations? They cannot think it is a religion 4
peace and love; they must suppose it encounef
an " foFgiving resentful spirit. Our chaucs
mus be REDEEMED the present is a favourable ~
ment Many are convinced OF the uniswfulnexd
| war; and all deprecate its evils. Let every e6od
be made 10 produce an adherence Of it, sndsx
! wishes will be gratifed. The scriptures encounE
US to expect it. The institution Of the Masscb,
sets Peace Society ishonourable to our Cosaty.
particularly 10 those who have first oae forward
in this noble design. Other societies may b for.
med on similar plan, and the current OF popullf
opinion may be turned into the channel, Wild
they mark out. by the influence of such socie,is
our nation may be preserved from expensive n
ru'nos wars. None are exempt from the calanI
ties OF war; all are either Immediately or remotely
affected by its evils. To every one therefore III
subject is full Of interest --Nm
will look with indifference on a society whose 6
lect is so important. 1t deserves encoufagemeut
Few will not wish it success. The prayers Of thou
sands are daily offered up that the Prince Of Peac
may take the Sceptre of the world in his hands an,
that he may cause wars to cease from one end 0
the earth evento the other. Soon our PRAYERS vii
be answered, our most sanguine expectations will
be exceeded. God will hasten this glorious even,
In its time, and bless his reople with peace peac
not to be disturbed, h. to ndure, until The con
summaiion Of all 4