The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-24

for as q Society, whatever may be the
opinion of individual members, we
shall confine ourselves to the pacific
precepts of Christ, our Divine Foun-
der, and avoid all strife of every kind.
We are not confined to any sect or de-
nomination # Christians, but ask the
countenance, Che encouragement, and
the support of all. Neither have we
anything to do with the fluctuating
politics of the day. Our principles
were promulgated by the song OF an
gels, which proclaimed peace on sarth
and good will to man; they soar ia
above the temporary and local affair
of states and empires they are as the
world, and lasting as eternity. Wher-
ever breathes a human soul, we hail
brother. Whatever may be the colour
of his skin, or the articles Of his creed,
we delight to do him good, and to ex-
tend to him the peaceful principles of
our blessed Saviour. We are not con-
fined by geographical boundaries, ma
tural or artificial, but seek the greatest
good of the greatest number "
Anotha ar declaration says:
1.-THE Peace Society Is founded solely
on the Christian religion, and Is entire
ly distinct from all political consider
ations.
In promulgating the principles of
the utter unlawfulness Of war, we
equally embrace that Of perfect nom
resistance to all the lawful commands
of government, and in refusing to
comply with the unlawful command
fight, 1t Is In obedience to the superior
will of Him iwho Is above all princi-
palities and powers.
1t Is our duty to obey the commands
of the Almighty before those of men.
We are told to honor the king, but we
are first commanded to fear Cod
1.-THE will of king be opposed to
the commands of his Creator, his SUBJ
jects are justified in refusing to comply
with them, and are free from all crime
of rebellion. In defence Of the pacific
principles, our great magazine of ar
gument is the Bible, to which we refer
against every battery that can be lev
elled against them.
ave sometimes have recourse to hu-
man arguments, such as the crimes
occasioned by war, the insufficlency OF
war to attain its intended objects, the
great predominancy of evil over good
in all wars, etc. But these are mere
light words when compared with the
evidence of divine truth they may
strengthen and corroborate the effects
produced by reading the testamental
law Of Christ, but they will produce no
beneficial and permanent effect where
those lawsfa
1t was a grand programme and
faithful has it been followed. Utopian
If YOU will! But 1t is an Utopianism
that carries with it the hope of human
society, and the principles 1t avows lie
behind all mere methods and instru-
ments for procuring and preserving
Peace, or of other philanthropic pro-
paganda.
So far, have described one Of the
constituent elements Of the great
Peace Army. will endeavonr to dis
cribe the others with equal fidelity,
but with more brevity.
The Peace movement was carried on
by these Societies and oil these princl-
pies only, until the years 1857.
In that year there was manifested
an extraordinary and most encourag-
ing development OF Peace sentiment,
and o singular increase of activity
arising from it on the continent. 1t
was year of origins. At least six or
eight new societies sprang into exis:
tence in France, or were originated by
Frenchmen. The two principal ones
will sufficiently illustrate my topic, for
they were typical of the rest.
THE International League of Peace
was founded by NJ. Passy in Paris. 1t
was the chila of the new awakening OF
Peace sentiment in France, which
ma rked that period. Under the name
of the French Society of the Friends
of Peace it continued 10 do very use.
full work until the year 1889: the year
Of the last Paris Exhibition, when
having come somewhat moribund, II
amalgamated with another, and a
later, Society, and SO began q new CO.
reer of life and usefulness.