Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-02-18
N U M B E R p.

ted, and these messengers to be Sents!-
Just in the same way as other religious
tracts are now distributed and messengers
are sent-by the aims and contributions of
christians. Let every church that OBJ
serves the eace-prayer-meetlng take upa
contribution for that purpose. The peace
cause asks but little; and because it asks
but little, that little is refused. Did chris
tians contribute but barely each one cent
year, the cause would be supported. If
it had but one stationary agent to publish
an able periodical, distribute tracts, and
act as corresponding secretary, and one
travelling agent, that would be enough for
the present. But, alas, such is the apathy
and want of faith in christians, that they
fear to venture even their cents in this
cause, and many of those who give their
prayers grudgetheir farthingsi Hitherto
! the expense has been borne by few indi-
viduals, and a great proportion of them
have become weary in well doing, for the
GOODNESS and indifference ofthe church has
damped their ardor, and they have given
up the cause in despair. A few still cling
Ito the wreck in hopes of aid, and l think
they will not be wholly disappointed
The year before last, we had three pray
er meetings, two in Maine and one in N.
Hampshire. Last year the prayer meet
ings were pretty generally observed in
Maine, though hut few churches gave US
any substantial evidence of their meeting.
There were twentythree contributions
twelve in Maine, two in New Hampshire,
seven in Massachusetts, one in Rhode
Island and one in New York. The in
crease was seven fold in one year. There
is reason to hope that the increase this
year will be in the same ratio. Ifthis
should generally be thecase for few years,
the cause ofFeace will be second to none
Oftke benevolent operations of The day, and
the present generation will see a wonder
full change in the world.
In the first origin of the Peace Society,
it leaned mainly on philanthropy, worldly
prudence and common sense. But these
had not strength enough to support it,
They made our expectations vain and dis
appointed our trust. We turn from the
7 world to the church of Christ, the Prince
: of Peace. Other benevolent causes, such
as temperance and anti-slavery, may be
carried on, in great degree, by the in
? fuence of philanthropy; but the cause of
| Peace requires higher motives, more self
= denial, and more moral courage, than phi
: lanthropv affords. God will honor his
: Church, by making it the instrument of
S abolishing war. He will not give that
. glory to the world.
: More than two hundred and fifty min
, listers are now pledged to preach annually
2 on the subject ofpeace and war Several
r ofthe great ecclesiastical bodies in New
. England have recommended that an annu-
e al concert of prayer for the success of the
y peace cause, should be observed on the
y 25th of December. Will their recon-
o mendations be unavaling? Dochristians
) believe that the soul is immortal? Do
h they believe that vast MAJ ority of those
), who perish in battle 60 down to endless
/ perdtion? Do they believe that war is
e the mother Of all denominations, and the
d greatest obstacle to the spread of vital pie
ty, both at home and abroad and will
e they refuse to offer prayer or a cent for
; It's abolition [ will not believe it. AS
n long as God shall give me strength will
e not cease to call upon them. ] have in
r these remarks touched upon but few of
j. the motives which should induce chris
= tan TO labor and pray for the abolition of
# war If what have said docs not move
r them, will not despair OF Gods promise.
S but at some future time, will try other mo-
i tives PHitANTHoPos