The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-11-13
PEACE OF NATIONS.
MOVE FOR ARBITRATION NEAR
LIZ A CENTURY AGO.
Formation of Society with That
Purpose in View in 1876
~. International Core
W spondenee.

It Is uninteresting, in view of the prog
ress made in the arbitration movement
and the establishment Of the world court
at The Hague, to revert to the fact that
1t was in this country, nearly century
ago, that peace societies took form.
The first of these organizations was the
Massachusetts Peace society, founded by
DR.. Noah Worcester, the photographer,
in 1916, about the time Of the announce
ment of the holy alliance between Rus
STA, Prussia and Austria. This alliance
had for its object the preservation of the
peace of Europe, and in 1t Emperor Alex
ander. ancestor of Car Nicholas, was
the Leading spirit, other European ma
tions joining. This followed the down
fall Of Napoleon and Americas second
war with Great Britain.
Under date of April 8, 1917 Prof.
Worcester as corresponding secretary
of the Massachusetts, society, wrote EN-
peror Alexander as follows:
"The friendly disposition which you
have manifested in favor Of the Chris
tian religion and the peace of the world
has encouraged this address. The very
week ia which the holy league of the
three sovereigns was officially an
nounced in Russia a society was formed
in Boston by the name of the Massa-
chusetts Peace society, the object of
which is to disseminate the very princi-
pie ayowed in the wonderful alliance,
and to do whatever may lawfully be done
to prevent the recurrence of war, and to
promote peace on earth and good will
among men.
81 take the liberty to present a copy
of all the publications which have been
circulated by the society. A new
society has been formed in the state OF
New York. At least four peace societies
have been organized in the United States
Others are aboutforming. Besides these
we have in our country nearly 900 con
gregations of Friends or Quakers, which
we regard as so many peace societies by
profession and practice"
Under date of July following, the
emperor answered:
THE object which this philanthropiC
institution has in view, the dissemina-
ton of the principles of peace and amity
among men, meets my cordial appro-
baton. My endeavor to promote peace
and good will among the nations are
already known, and the power and in
tiuence which Almighty God has com.
mitted to me shall ever be employed,
trust. in striving to secure to the ma
tions the blessings of that peace which
they now enjoy.
Considering the object of your so
ciety, the promotion of peace among
mankind, as one so eminently con
genial to the spirit of the Gospel o
Jesus Christ, l have judged it proper t
express these, my sentiments, respect
ing your labors"
To Prince Alexander Gallitzen, presi
dent of the Russian Bible society, let
ter was sent at the same time, in which
the confidence inspired by his official let
ters induced the sending of the publica
tons of the society.
The prince in reply says the object
seem to be those of the Bible societies
for it is only in proportion as the Di
/ VIM tbAAA PtaNNAblG pAAhNApACs VI vi
Gospel Of Jesus Christ prevail in tn
hearts Of men that lasting and uniyer
sal peace can be expected. A blessed pc
riod is promised in the word of Coo
when men shall learn the art of wa
no more. This period l understand t
be the same as that in which it is prophe
sled that all men shall know the Lore
even from the least unto the greatest
and that the earth shall be full of tn
knowledge of the Lord.
These latter promises seem to b
daily fulfilled in every quarter of tn
world by the exertions of Bible and othe
Christian societies, to disseminat
among men the saving and pacific prir
ciples of Jesus Christ. They are pre-
pairing the way for your society's gain
ing its object-peace, universal peace
when men shall learn the art of wa
no more. ! shall reckon 1t 8
a peculiar honor to be among the men
bers of such a humane society"