Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-02-12


The next articles in the fourth number Of the
jefferson, 2. Mr.. JegersOa's aaswer. 3. Letter 10
ne hoi mr.. adams. 4. Mr.. .f1Inss' dnstcer 5.
eriesc of the Correspondence soih DIR. Jsfers9n ..
.,eUieao oflhe Correspondence Nth Mr.. adams.
As these have been already noticed in some OF
he newspapers, il is thought unnecessary to conf
nunicate any thing from them here.
Tie next IL feuielr Of an erfrdct from dP0Putdf
state paper. This paper is,an address OF the Amer
scan Congress TO the people OF Great Britain ;
5nbiished in the time of our Revolution. The sen
tnents contained in this review, have been chiefly
conveyed in other articles.
Next follows, shocking account Of 'cdrs 6etWeen
France and England from he year lilo to 16f3,by
which il appears that the number OF wars was "a
that goo years Of the 700 were employed 10y the
nations in butchering one another that from if6f
20 f47t, a term of $40 years, 1876 were spent il
war ; that from 1863 they were at war 10i year
in iQS-having peace only Of years duration"
s*f " How awful must have been the total amount
Of carnage and suffering Ii the Island of Great
Britain and the whole territory Of france should
now be sunk by an earthquake, the loss OF lives
would perhaps be less than what has been OCCASION
ed by the voluntary and antichriStan wars OF the
two nations. Yet during the 100 years, the people
oil these nations have both called themselves chris
tidns, aud gIoried in their murderous exploits "
EXCEPT some account Of several Peace fub!ica-
tons (two Of which were pamphlets published bJ
2 The Peace Society in New ork) the last artI
Gle in The fourth number Of the Friend OF Peace,
IS " The constitution OF the Massachusetts, Peace
Society,"
The subscribers, in the PreaIsble make concise
declaration Of their motives and objects.
Our earnest wish they say is, that men may
be brought to view in just light, TO see clear
iy its ba eful influence, the political, moral and
.eligious conditions Of communities, and its oppo
siton to the design and spirit OF the gospel.
*@* - We believe that a great majority OF the
people in every civilized country, who's fee from
the deusions Of party passions and reJudices have
such al aversion to public hostilities, that they
would rejoice il any plan could be devised, which
would both secure their rights and absolve them
from the burdens and suferngS OF war; $3.50 BE
sides it is cl ear that every popular custom must de-
pend on public opinion and we also know, from
history, that many customs and usages which were
formerly considered as honorable, useful aud even
cessary, have since been abolished, as inhunau
and barbarous: and are now regarded with detes-
t4tion and horror Having mentioned some addI-
tional encouraging facts, they add,
But above all other source Of encouragement
We contemplate the benevolent character of our
heavenly Father, as displayed in the gospel ofhis
beloved Son. We there behold him as the God
Of Peace, and we have cheering hope, that he
will own and prosper society Of peace makers
After noticing that dive rsity OF sentiment has
existed among christians on the question, whether
war be not in all cases prohibited by the gosPcl-
and declaring their intention 70 establish the Soc'-
ETY. on principles so broad, to embrace the friend,
of peace who differ on this we'll as on other sub
jects, they saw We wish to ri oniote the caust of
peace by methods which all christians must approve
by exhibiting with all clearness and distInctne
the pacific nature of the gospel, and by turning The
attention~of the community to the nature, spi'it.
caose> and effects OF war;
The constitution was signed by a considerable
number of gentlemen Dec &8th 18i5.k On th'
18th Jan. 1916, tile officers elected. In the
list Of subscribers, may be seen the names Of the
[thenl Governor, the Lieut.. Governor-two res
pectable Judges. The President and several pro-
lessors of Harvard University, and many ministers
Of religion Of different denominations.
His Hon. William Phhi, 5, is President and
Hon. Thomas Dawes, Vice President.
TIE other officers are, Treasurer, Recording
Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and six Trus
tees-who form the government of the Society, and
have power to appoint executive comLi tee and
counsellors to advise with the Corresponding Sec
rotary. The present number of Counselors is five.
I1ash member pays one dollar annually.
One who pays twenty five dollars is considered
az a member for life.
Each member is entitled 10 receive one half his
annual subscription in books or tracts.
The annual meeting otthe society is the last
Thursday in every year.
MAY we not hope that this example will be
initiated by the friends Of peace in every part Of
Massachusetts aud in each Of the United States.'
= III appears by The annual Report otttjs Society
an January Idst that since its formation than
one hundred and thirty respectable 4lembers haze
been adttd.