Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-31

prevail. The American Peace Society,
however, does not agitate the much vexed
question, whether the magistrate has the
right to take life on any occasion. On
TINS question the friends of peace are d.
vIded-but they are united in opposing
the sword of war on all occasions, leaving
the Iawtnlness of the sword of the magis-
trate as question to be discussed in fu-
lure times, with more light. They hold
10 Inc principle Of non-resistence, in all
cases and to passive obedience to COM
m m; OF rulers, so far as they follow
christ, and no farther
This change has been going on in the
Society from its first commencement
Acting by the light they had, more light
mas been given them. At the last ami
Versary' a committee was appointed to
draft new constitution, and one has been
presented to the society, based on the
principle of the unlawfulness of all war.
and 1t has been accepted by the society.
The amount of funds collected the past
year far surpasses any former year; bu:
our treasury, and our tract depositorjes.
were never before so nearly exhausted
Formerly we wanted readers for our
tracts, now we want tracts for our readers
The Peace Society has been very poorly
supported, and yet it has had greater eff:
feet in changing public opinion than any
other society, in proportion to the means
used. Had the Peace Society been sup
ported as it ought to have been, by Gods
blessing on the means used, the nations of
ChrIstendom might now be safely moored
IN the haven of permanent and universal
peace. But Christians think that this
cause alone can be carried on without
sacrifice. They have a vague hope that
the millennium will come without anv in
strumentaIity of theirs, or that the preach
Ing of the gospel alone, while that preach
ing allows of war, will bring about the
millenium-hopes equally without found
alton. There is no doing good without
sacrifice; and when Christians shall be
willing to make sacrifices on the altar OF
peace, the church will give her testimony
! against the sin of war, wars and fightings
will cease, and the nations learn war no
more
The following resolutions were then
passed
l. Reso we'd, That the report lust read
be accepted and published, under the d.
rec:lon OF the Executive Committee.
Moved by the Rev. Mr. Eddy, of New
ark, n. j., seconded by the Rev Brown
Emerson, D. D., of Salem, Mass.
2. Resolved, That Christians are bound
by the strongest and most sacred ob]iga-
tons, to remove the disgrace which the
wars Of christendom have brought on
their religion.
Moved by Rev. Mr.. Beckwith, of Low
ell, Mass, seconded by Dr.. Thos. Cook,
of this city.
3. Resolved, That the custom of war
as contrary to the spirit, principles and
aims of the gospel, ought to be held in
deep adherence, and resisted in every
proper way possible, by all the followers
of the Prince Of Peace.
Moved by the Rev Mr.. Cheever, O.
Newark, N. j., seconded by the Rev MIR
Cleveland, Detroit, Michigan.
; 4. Resolved, That the spirit of the
times, the smiles of Heaven on our effort:
during the past year, and the unexpected
preparation ofthe public mind for appeal.
, on this subject call aloud upon the Friends
Of peace, for much greater exertions il
this cause, and make it desirable that, a
least, ten thousand dollars should be rails
S ed this year, for the support Of lecturers
and the circulation of publications OF
e peace.
: Moved by Rev. Mr.. Fowler, of Fal
S River, Mass, seconded by WIN. Lodd, c
: Minot, Maine.
s. Resolved, That we continue our re
/, quest, that all ministers of the gospe
preach on the subject of peace, to thei
v people, at least once during the year, an
= if convenient, on or near the 25lh of De
l. cember, and that churches observe con
: cert OF prayer, on Or near the same day
1t for the universe prevalence Of peace, an
n that a collection be taken up in aid of tn
r cause.
j Moved by the Rev Mr.. Hunt, of Phil;
& deIPhla, seconded by Mr. Burleigh, {
IT PlainfeId, Conn.
y Ihese resolutions were very ably SUI
- ported, both by the movers and secondel
OF them, with but few exceptions OWN
to want oftime.
10 The public meeting was then dismisse
~ with benediction, by the Rev. Mr.. En-
= !! erson, of South Reading, Mass.
81 The Society then continued its meeting
u tor business. Messrs. Beckwith, Coo
" and Ladd, who had been appointed con
~ m'ttee for the purpose at the last annu'
~ meeting, presented draft of new col
~ stltutlon, on the basis that all aoar IS col
y tr0ry to the spirit of the gospel, whic
was adopted. The bureau of the Sociel
49, removed to Boston. Rev. Geo. G. Becl
:; with was chosen Secretary. l. K VIII
-, ~ pie, No. 9 Cornhili, Boston, was chose