The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-03-06
IOa di6e1eii towns "a fhis and the neigh

considerable number, who had joined the So
ciety in former years-anong whom we've two
respected officers OF the Society," and one of
Ats honoured nembets.f 1lleae brethren were
50 wen known, as TO supewedc the ne
cessity of any eulogium from the committee
Without this, they viii long be had ia grateful
remembrance for their services ia the cause of
religion and philanthropy.
No very recent accounts have been receive
ed from the Peace Societies in other States
but from their last Reports it appeared that
several of them were making considerable adj
vances. The Society in Rhode-Island, 1t its
last Annual Meeting, consisted of 200 MEM
bers. This is probably one OF The most -four
ishing and active Societies in the U. States.
A new Society has been organized in Maine,
called the Oxford County Peace Society; and
Female Peace Society has bees formed in Ohio.
A letter has been received from the Society
in London, accompanied with copies of the
Herald of Peace 70 August, 1921. From these
sources it appears, that the Society for pro-
noting permanent and universal peace has
been supported and encouraged by numerous
and liberal subscriptions, from people of both
sexes, and of several denominations that
important Auxiliary Societies have been form
ed in various parts of the kingdom--that one
Of another of their tracts has been translated
for distribution in Germany, Holland, France
and Spain--and that in France a Society has
been formed in favour OF universal peace
The Peace Societies in Britain and in this
country have had increasing cause to &C
knowledge the aid derived from the editors of
newspapers and periodical works, by giving
extensive publicity to many important arti-
cles, original and selected, which tend to ad-
vance their object New periodical works
have also been established in both countries,
which promise much aid by the dissemina-
ton OF, humane and philanthropicS senti-
ments. For as war, root and branch, is of the
very essence of barbarism, whatever tends to
enlighten or humahize the minds of men, must
also tend to diminish its atrocities and &C
CELEBRATE its abolition.
Ii the benevolent object of our association
and is immense Importance to the whole hui
man family should be duly considered, it
might appear astonishing that so little has
been effected in six years-for it should seem
that nothing more than fair statement of the
case could be necessary, to induce all men
of common sense to abandon war, and flock
TO the standard of peace. But on the other
hand, when, it is considered with what re-
luctance men generally relinquish. hereditary
opinions however absurd or iniurious-and
Lac tIIOuSdlus Vi years III WHICH the ndIlSnS
of the world have been made to believe that
wars are as inevitable as earthquakes, that
rulers have right to wage them wheneVerthey
please, and that : military glory is the great
est of all glories,n the advances which have
already been made by Peace Societies, may
appear not only encouraging, but matter OF
wonder and ofpraise to the Father of mercies.
To enumerate distinctly in this Report all
the sources of encouragement, or all the means
now in operation, which are advancing the
cause of peace, would be as improper as it is
impossible. Such an enumeration would en-
brace every thing which tends to improve the
character and condition of human society
all the various institutions and means for en-
tightening the minds OF men, correcting their
esrours, or rendering them more virtuous, hui
name and happy. The progress of these
means IS annually adding to the long catalogue
CT exploded laws and customs, and gradually
rending the veil, which ages of barbarisn had
thrown over the crimes of war and the inhu-
mainly of appealing to the sword for the de-
cision of political controv ersies. In proper
ton as this delusive veil shall be rent and re-
moved, the imaginary glories of war will dis
appear !; and men will become astonished at
the deiormity of the monster which has,been
nourished at so great expense.
All the objections, therefore, to the exer.
tons of Peace Societies. might, with equal
proprrety, be made to every humane or be-
nevolent institution-to all publck or private
instructions which tend to make men more
wise and good, or to iihbue their minds with
just sentiments of God, as the Father Of all,
and correct views OF their obligations to each
other as brethren. Indeed, the directors to be
consistent, should also object to the gospel
dispensation, with all its gracious provisions,
precepts ana institutions-to all examples of
love, meekness, forbeafanee and forgiveness
but especially to the conduct of the Saviour,
who g suffered for US, leaving us an exam
pie that we should follow mis- steps''--and to
the example Of orr heavenly Father, by whose
kindness their own lives are prolonged, and
who showers down his blessings both on the
just and the unjust. For it is certain that all
these things, when duly considered, tend to
the same result-peace on earth-good will
among men.
But from the multitude of encouraging facts,
the Committee have selected one, to which
they invite the most serious attention. In
times of war, all good people pray for peace
lin times of peace, they thank God for the
favour-pray that it may be continued, and
that the predicted day may come, when the
nations shall learn war no more
Now if this practice is not an insult to the
Almighty, war is regarded by praying people
as an evil TO be deplored and dreaded; and
peace is regarded as blessing, which God
can give and render permanent If wars were
Inevitable occurrences, it would be as great
folly to pray that God would cause them to
cease, as to prey that our daily wants may be