Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-03-08

|
mediateism with gradualism. He supposed
that gradualist, who had somehow come
into possession of wildcat, which he was
holding by main strength, and which he
wished to be rid OF, would let him go by de-
grees: and with a view to ascertain wheth-
er it would be safe to let him have entire
freedom, he would doubtless hold on for
considerable space of time upon the last
foot u
Letters and extracts from the Report.
neat Dee6.
"THE OBJECT OF PEACE SOCIETIES PRAc-
TrcABLE"-This is the caption Of an article
written by VIM. NJ Holland. professor in
Washington College, and published in the
American Advocate of Peace for Dec. 1886.
AS the article appears without note or COM
ment in the organ of the American Peace
Society, aud as it undertakes to set forth the
practicability of the "Object of Peace &c.
cieties, it is taken for granted that the So
clety endorses the sentiments ADVANCED
AT least the publication Of the article fur
nishes, in our view, sufficient occasion for
putting the question whether the sentiments
of the article are the sentiments Of the So
clety. If they are not, the Society owes it
TO Itself to dlsavow them. For, depend up
on 1t, the number and the influence is not
small, Of the friends of Peace throughout
the country, who cannot conscientiously
leave what they believe to be the GOSPEL
| standard, and let themselves down TO
such principles of action as are here held
FORTH We speak advisedly. 1t is possible,
If not probable, that the State of Vermont
may have Peace Society within twelve
month. Should such Society be formed
we venture to predict that, unless the work
be taken from the hands of those who are
chiefly instrumental in preparing the way
Tor organization, it cannot become auxiliary
to the American Society,if that Society's
principles are what they are here represented
to be. Take the following paragraph:
1T will also be seen by this exposition,
what the Peace Society do not expect or
propose to effect. 1t is not an object thew
have Immediate y in view, 10 abolish all
war and bloodshed upon the face of the
earth. They do not expect or propose to
obtain a controlling influence, at once,
over the public mind, and over monarchs
and national councils. They have it not
for their immediate object to effect an
| instant revolution in human nature, or to
open mems eyes, in day, to the folly
and wickedness Of DESTROYING each other,
They are not so foolish as to sunnos.
that the evil passions which distract man
kind can be lulled, at once, into repose
that savages will become Christians, and
Christians become wholly righteous in
DAY. They have too thorough a knowl-
edge OF the perverseness Of mans nature,
and OF his subsection to evil passions, to
expect that the voice of reason and reli.
gIon will, instantly, secure his attention
ana correct his practice. Let not these
things then be laid to their charge in dis
ragement OF the reasonableness oftheir
understanding. Neither let it be said that
their efforts are directed to the destruction
OF patriotism and the means Of national
defence The Peace Society requires no
pledge from its members. For auoht
that appears in its constitution, the great
est warrior of the age might become one
OF us members and contributors. No
pledge is required with respect to individu-
al conduct; no creed or subscription to
any class of sentiments. It's members
may believe in the necessity, or even
utility, IN certain cases, Of war 10 ba
sure, the object of the society impljes that
there are evils attendant upon war. and
That the extent of these evils is not snf
hc'entIy understood. Few persons who
consider the subject, will probably dissent
from this implication. 1t will, also, read;.
~ be admitted, that thorough KNOWLEDGE
OF these evils, on the part of the commn6i-
~, IS desirable. Even they who beI;aru
IN the unavoidable necessity Of war, and
ITS occasional utility, may be wiIlino to
nave correct information dfused as 70.
CARDS the evil consequences which 49,.
from mortal conflicts. If it be concaJod
that some wars are just and necessary u
cannot on the other hand be denied ibot
even these wars are in MANY reenoc,s
Ifaught with suffering and distress wh;Io
OF those which are necessary and un;ust
nothing flows but unmixed evil 00''
Now we wish to know whether the Aror
lean Peace Society designs to make tho
New Testament its rule of action, or wbe,h
er 1t has chosen worldly expediency. r,he
latter merely, then it may as we'll d;.h.n1
to-day and exPcnd no more money, for soon
er or later it must and will come r. nol'
If the former, we desire to know whore ~
the Ne" Testament such principles are
found as are here held to view-o- -..I