Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-12-14

the conversion OF Inc World because u
is an object of cast, Unreasonable impor-
tance. But peace, co-extensive with
is indispensable to the accom-
plishment of this object, So long as the
war system is upheld in christendom, can
the world be converted to God2
But look at the importance of peace in
itself. 1t is the nurse of knowledge, and
virtue, and religion, and every thing that
improves and blesses mankind. But war
wastes fearful amount of property, lite,
and happiness; it is mass of abomina-
tions and woes it suspends the Sabbath,
and shuts up the sanctuary, and prevents
the use, or destroys the efficacy of nearly
all the means that God has appointed for
the salvation of men; it promotes ignor-
ance, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and intemperance,
and theft, and piracy, and every species of
vice and crime; it hardens the heart, and
sears the conscience. and ripens vast null
titudes for perdition, and sends them into
eternity reeking with guilt and blood !!
The prevention of such evils is sure y an
object important enoug h to call forth our
prayers.
Do you pray for the conversion of the
world, because God requires TT But
does he not require you to pray for the
worlds pacifcation2 Is not peace part
of that gospel which our Savior bids US
preach to every creature? Yes; and we
are as truly bound to preach peace as we
are repentance and faith.
Do you think the spirit Of Christ re-
quires you to pray for the conversion of
a world he came to redeem? True ;
but does not his example plead equally
for peace? He was promised as the
Prince of Peace. Angels proclaimed over
his manger cradle, "peace on earth, good
will towards men," his first sermon was
saturated with pacific sentiments, and all
his early disciples, catching his spirit, re-
fused to engage in war, lest they should
belle their principles and dishonor their
Master.
But do you pray for the worlds con-
version, because God has promised 1t p
Equally explicit are his promises of uni
versal peace. Isaiah is full Of them; and
in some ofthe other prophets we find such
passages as these: He shall jud ge many
people, and rebuke strong nations afar off
and they shall beat their swords into
ploug hshares, and their spears into pru.
ming hooks; nation shall not lift up q
sword against nation, neither shall they
learn war any more" -Micah iv. 3, 4.
Do you pray for the conversion of the
world, because means are a0eo IN use fol
this purpose, and God FLesseS nothing bu
means? Means are also in use for the
spread of peace, and ought forthwith to bt
multiplied hundred fold. The church
did, indeed, sleep for ages over this par
of her duty; but portion other member:
in this country, in England, and some
other parts Of Christendom, have at length
opened their eyes. and began to use the
means He has appointed for the spread o
peace wherever the gospel prevails.
Do you pray for the conversion of thu
world, because God is actually blessing
the means used tor this purpose2 Just 81
in this cause; and, had we space, we coule
easily state facts enough to prove that more
has already been done to procure the pre-
vaence of peace in Christian countries
and our utmost aim is the spread of peac'
co-extensive with Christianty-than ha
been accomplished towards the conversion
of the world. The leaven is silently a
work far and wide; a great change il
public sentiment has alread been effected
and, should the reform 60 on unchecked
it will be difficult, ere long, to involv
Christian nations in war for any cause
But do you deem the blessing of Go
indispensable to the 1oorld's conversion
Equally indispensable is it in our cause
Our only hope is in God and, unless h
interposes to fulfil his own promises c
universal peace, we despair OF ever seem
it reign over the whole earth.
But the gospel will pacify the world.
True; but how! 1t has not put an en-
to the wars of Christendom; and how the
can it banished them from the earth
Only by making peace go hand in han
with the gospel-the very object for whic
we ask you to pray and labor.
But we do pray for it," Do you i
talth2 Do you every Sabbath, and ever
day? Then you will surely rejoice t
JOIN In special concert of prayer once
; year for the universal spread of peace.
We have already a concert ever
week; and we deem it unwise to multipl
such season." We ask not for sue
seasons, but on y one concert IN a yea
for the peace OF the world. Would thu
do any harm2 Do not the exigencies q
the case demand it2
But there is not interest enough upou
the subject Then preach, and converse
and scatter tracts among your brethren
and use all the means in your power, I'm
til there Is an interest that will coustrni,
Christians to special prayer for this OBJ
ject.
Disciples of Jesus read the promise
OF universal peace; recall the spirit AM
instructions of our Savior himself; review
the example OF annstles. and mart,.-s -