Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-02-05
No. x.
On earth Peace, good viH towards Men.
FIFTH REASON

FIFTH REASON,
For beliecing that Efforts for The abolition Of War,
aciU moi be IN rain.
" In prop triton as peace sentiments shall be-
come populaf, war, with all its means of excite
ment, and all its apparatus of death and destruc-
ton viii be less and less fsteemed-Ihe trumpet OF
military fame will sound weaker and weaker
Some other qualities of mind, beside ferocious
bravery, will be found necessary to give a man a
just claim to public esteem and applause. News
papers, which shall oe conducted on pacific prnci-
pies, will be preferred to those of libelous and
warning character. Love to the lives the happi-
ness and the peace of ones court ymen, will be re-
garded true patriotism ald the usual infiam-
matory war speeches, end writings, will be regard
ed as immoral and pcraiciOas.''
SIXTH REASON.
" Interest is powerful motive with mankind in
general, and war is against the interest Of nine
tenths of the people in every natei."
Any deduction of this sentiment, however impor-
tant, il is thought, is unnecessary.
SEVENTH REASON.
" The friends of peace already numerous in
this country, and in Great Britain; and the prog
ress of peace sentiments has been very considera-
able in the course of the last year" After men,
tioning several other and Societies opposed
war the writer says The Congregations of Friends
inthe United States, thousand Peace Societies"
He then observes that several books and Tracts up
on the subject have been latelypublished in Great
Britain and America that ati ough " at the com
mencement of the last year. but few individuals
in this vicinity were known TO have adopted senti
ments in opposition to war. as an anticristiaq
tom, before the year closed Peace Society was
formed which is now respectable both as TO charac-
ter and numbers" And that, from information re-
ceived it may confidently be expected, that at the
commencement of the year 1920 there will not be
foand in New England single advocate for the
custom ofwar, among all the ministers Of religion
OF every denomination.
EIGHTH REASON.
There is probability that future disputes or
controversies between nations, will he settled by
reference or arbitration. See Remarks on The late
Treaty Of Peace betgeen Grcat Britain and he u
nited States IN The christian Disciple for April
1915. NINTH REASON.
The exertions in favor of peace may be extern.
sively useful-even if they should not result in the
complete abolition ofwar," by diminishing tie dis
dresses and the frequency of wars, in human usages
&c. TENTH REASON.
If these exertions should fail of their intended
effect, as neither to diminish the honors nor the
frequency of war, still the labours OF those who
are faithful in the cause, will not be in vain" -
"They will improve their own moral Character
they will become more and more assimilated TO
the temper of their Prince and Saviour, and be
the better prepared to enjoy the blessedness which
he has promised to peace-makers and should a
future war occur, the faithful friend of peace, will
experience the consolation Of an approving con
science, while he says to himself. This war has not
occurred by my agency if my substance. my family,
and even my life, shall fall prey 10 this destructive
scourge; have this comfort-I SHALL suffer as a
christian and not as a nlasderer.n
% these ten reasons, the writer adds other sour
ces of encouragement, such ass the benignant
character of Jehovah-the beaifeent design and
tendency of the gospe-the predictions relating to
the peace of the world under the reign Of the
Messiah--and the numerous societies and benevo-
lent institutions in Europe and America, viii ch
have tendency to enlighten and harmonze the
mind; to excite, cherish and promote christian
sympathy, and to improve the moral state OF socie-
u