Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-12-20
For the Telegraph.
PEACE.-.NO. VII,
Annual Concert of Prayer for Peace,


We have always Doubted the expeIiency of
multiplying naOnthty concerts ofprayer for partc-
ular Objects but 1t surely cannot be too much to
ask, that the followers of the Prince of peace
should set aPat one hour in a YEAR TO pray for
his smiles upon effnrts in the cause Of pace The
20th Of December, the time selected for this con-
cert, is fast approaching; and we hope that pas
tors and churches Of every name will make time
ly arrangements for the occasion,
TAe providence of God is encouraging our pray
ers Special efforts in this cause were first male
only al tile more than twenty years ago and the
smiles Of Heaven have crowned them with such
success TO keep the gen raj peace of the civil
lized world during all this period, and thus pre-
vented an immense waste of blood, and treasure,
and human happiness The leading cabinets Of
Chrstendom are pursuing policy far more petite
than formerly; their services have been generous
ly rendered, in variety Of instances to avert the
threatened horrors of war from our own and 9th
have already undergone very perceptible change
on this subject other expedients than csort to
the sword for the adjustment of international DIFF
fcuties, arc fast coming to be generally adopted
and it would seem as if nothing more were need
ed than the blessing of God, exp! essIy promised
in answer to prayer upon the right use of means,
to insnre uninterrupted peace to every aud blest
with the light the gospel.
But the word of God affords the most decisive
encouragement to prayer for this object. He has
IT.
pressy as be has promised salvation to the peni-
tent believer in Jesus &C 1t shall come to pass in
the last days. in gospel times that the noun
tain of the Lords house shall be established in the
unto it and they shall beat their swords into
pruning hooks nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more. The wolf and the lamb shall feed togeth-
er, and the lion shall cat straw like the bullock
they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain, saith the LODI Can language be
more decisive than this? The Bible contains no
promise more explicit: we have the same reason
to expect the worlds eventual pacifcation that
the real Christian has to hope for heaven and we
entirely, or believe in the absolute Certainty of uni
versal and permanent peace.
But how is such result to be gained BY
miracle? Without means ? Without an eff;,rt or
prayer Is'there nothing for as to do 2 Are
anu of Gods promises unconditional? No: he
will always he inquired OF by his people to do the
very hngs he has expressly promised and can
we dream that he will fulfil his promise of univer-
sal pe.ce without their prayers and efforts Will
he make this case an exception, direct contra
diction to the whole course of his providence
Then s prayer for tie prevalence of peace just
as indispensable for the conversion of sinners in
Christian or pagan lands.
How benign the influence of all Christians
through the world uniting their prayers for the uni
versal and permanent reign of peace Would
tht y not breathe through Chrstendom spirit that
S.ou!d luIl the demon OF war 10 sleep Should
all the followers of Christ in England and this
country pray Alright for this object, would it be
possible for rulers again to embroi the two nations
ia war Is there not need of prayer to hush the
war-spirit prevalent among ourselves both in the
state and the church
Itcannot be necessary to urge upon our breth-
rem In Christ motives to prayer in behalf of such
cause. Need we glance at the waste of property
and life in war +? Need we sketch its baleful in
f1uenee all the interests of mankind for time and
for eternity 1t is wholesale destroyer of souls.
1t is a school of sin, and trains thousands after
thousands for perdition. Nearly all its influences
are runous to the soul. 1t fosters ignorance, en-
eourages intemPeranee, and aOets licentiousness,
and almost every species Of vice and crime. 1t
withhoids or neutralzesthe hest Means Of grace.
The millions of standing soldiers in Christendom,
lit dePtiyes evenin peace of nearly all religious