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

Besides, il is clear that every popular Gus
ON must depend on publick opinion and
we also know, from history, that many Gus
toms and usages which were formerly consid
cred as honorable, useful, and even necessa-
~. have since been abolished, as inhuman
and barberous, and are now regarded with de-
yestation and horror,
To the list of encouraging facts we may
add, that by their .ate dreadful sufferngs, the
attention OF the European nations is unusually
excited TO the guilt and mlserles OF war; and
with ioy we have learned thai Peace Societies
have been proposed. ii not already Establish
ed. on the other side ., the A,iantick. These
things moi only encourage our hearts and
strengthen our hands, bul preclude the otlecA
ton which migbi atise, tnat 1t Is dangerous to
cultivate the spirit OF peace ia enc aalion
whist others retain the spirit OF war. A CO.
operation in ditferen! countries is joytully an
tclpated, in this great work OF promoting
peace on earth and good viii among men.
But above all other sources of encourage.
ment. we contemplate the benevolent charac-
Ter Of our heavenly Father, as displayed in
the gospel of his beloved Son. We there be-
hold him as !" the God of peace" and we
have cheering nope, that he will own and
prosper society peace-makers.
Ii is well known that diversity Of senti-
! iment has existed among christians on the
question, whether war be not in all cases pro-
hibited by the gospel. But we intend that
this society shall be established on principles
so broad, as to embrace the friends of peace
who differ on this as well as on other subjects.
We wish to promote the cause of peace by
methods which all christians must approve
by exhibiting with all clearness and distinct
ness the paclfick nature of the gospel, and by
turning the attention of the community to the
nature, spirit, causes and effects OF war. We
hope that by the concurrence OF the friends oil
peace in all nations, and by the gradual ilu-
minaton OF the christian world "a pacifick spirit
may be communicated to governments,and that
in this way the occasions OF war, aud the'beliel
ofits necessity, will be constantly diminished,
till shall be regarded by all christians with
the same horrour with which we now look
back on the exploded and barbarous customs
OF former ages.
On these principles, and with these hopes,
We adopt the following
ARTICLES.
l. TheAame ofthis society shall be The Mas.
sAcHUsETTs PEACE SOCIETY.
Ii. The government of this society shall consist Oh
s = President, Vice President, Treasurer, Re.
cording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, As.
astant Secretaries and six Trustees, who shall bt
annually chosen, three Of whom shall constitute o
quorum. N s4-t
Ill The funds of the society shall be under the
direction of the Trustees, to be employed for the
T. q 49,, -
+ tivating the principles and spirit OF peace. The
Trustees shall have powerto appoint an Executive
Committee, and Councillors to advise with the Cor
responding Secretary, and to make regulations FOL
the despatch Of business.
w. Each subscriber Of one dollar annually shall
be member
4 ". Each subscriber OF twenty-five dollars shall
be member for life.
vi. All donations to the society shall be record
ed; and every donor Of fifty dollars or upwards,
shall be an honorary member Of the society and OF
The Board Of Trustees.
VII. Each member of the society shall receive
one half his annual subscription IN such books or
tracts as the Trustees shall approve, and at the
lowest prices of the society.
VIII. The annual meeting of the society shall
be on the last Thursday in every year; at which
time reports shall be made by the trustees and the
Treasurer.
TX. This society will encourage the forming OF
similar societies in this country and in foreign
countries by the dispersion OF tracts, by correspon
dence ahd other suitable means. They will also
encourage mutual aid and cooperation among all
the friends Of peace ofevery denomination.
x. Should any person become member OF this
society whose residence is remote from Boston, it
shall eregarded as honorable for him to encour-
age the establishment of a similar society in his own
vicinity
XII. No change in the objects of the society shall
ever be made but the articles may be amended,
AND new articles may be added as occasion shall re-
quire provided that no alteration be made except
at the annual meeting, and by the consent OF two
thirds Of the members who may then be present.