The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-03-06

ahN pISFent war IeaCe - not more Oepen-
dent on the power Of Ged, nor less dependent
ON the exeI4ions of men, than oar daily bread.
Ia each case, prayer is proper; but, If not ac-
ccmpanied by other means, it must be una
vailing. g WhatsoeVes a man soweth that
shall he also reap" II we desire peace, we
should sow the seeds Of peace, and cherish
ITS spirit. To cultivate the principles and
spirit of war while we pray for peace, is as
inconsTuous, as to sow thistles, and pray for
harvest of wheat.
What all good people pray for, Peace Soci-
cites are endeaYouring TO effect, by dissent
mating the principles and difnsing the spirit of
peace, and by exposing and eradicating the
banefui principles and spirit of war. Why
then should not their exertions be encouraged
and patronized by all praying people, by all
men of wealth, and by every Christian legis-
lature
All acceptable prayers proceed from be-
neyolent hearts. They imply an aversion TO
wal, and tend to increase that aversion
Sueh prayers in publick assemblies have
tendency TO render war abhorrent in the view
Of. all who hear and regard them. Therefore,
unless it is supposed that Peace Societies are
more sincere and more in earnest in their de-
slres to prevent war, than people are who
peacs, the objections TO our efforts might as
reasonably be urged against the prayers of all
Christians throughout the world.
The glazing inconsistency between praying
for peace and still Directing to exertions for
obtaining the prize, cannot much longer es-
cape the general notice of good people, nor
fail of being corrected and as soon as pro-
fessed Christians shall act in accordance with
hair l.
sion of strength to Peace Societies, and an
end to the wanton and disgraceful wars of
Christendom. Then and not till then will the
tauntinS buccanier be deprived of his self
consoling plea, that the conqueror, whom the
world applauds, is a more atrocious robber
than himself-and that his own course of dep
relation and murder is g conformable to the
course pursued" in the wars Of all Christian
governments.
N. B. After the above Report had been
communicated TO the Society, the Fourth An
nual Report of the Ohio Society for the pro-
motion of peace was received. FROM which
the following extracts are made -
" The number of Peace Societies in the
State of Ohio, has been increased since our
last Report. A Female Peace Society has
been organized on Mill Creek, near Cincnna-
lie N RVCicly dt AlnenS mas DeeH some Tune
since organized, composed of about twenty
members the President of which is the Rev.
MIR. Lindley, President OF the College, and
Professor Dana, their Corresponding Secreta-
ry. There are also several officers of the Col
lege, who are officers of this newly organized
Peace Society. This Society is composed OF
some of the principal characters in Athens
County. The whole number of Peace Socie-
ties in Ohio, known to US, is eight"
Officers Of the N. P. S. for 1929.
His Honour William Phillips, President.
Hon. Thomas Dawes, Vice President.
Mr.. Joshua P. Blanchard, Treasurer.
Rev. T. M. Harris, D. d. Recording Sec'ry.
Rev. Noah Worcester, D. d. Cor. Sec'ry..
Rev. John Foster, d. d. Cd Cor. Sec'ry.
Trustees.
Rev. John Foster, D. d. Rev. Abiel Holmes,
y. y. Professor Levi Hedge, Rev. Daniel
Sharp, John Kenwick, Esq. William Wells,
Esq.
Erecuti0e Committee.
Rev. Noah Worcester, u. d. Rev. John
Foster, DID. Rev. Ezra Ripley, u. d. Rev.
Elijah Parish, ID. d. Rev. John Pierce, Hon..
Samuel Haven, John Tappan, Esq. MIR. Thorn
as Vose, Jonathan Phillips, Esq. Mr.. Eliphalet
KimbalL