O dreadful Pluto! let terror and vengeance loose against the Cartha genians! May the cities and people who have taken up arms against us be . destroyed! To you, O ye Furies, in my name, and in the name of the senate and the Roman people, I devote all the enemies of my republic."

Millot, in his "Elements of General History," after mentioning the flourishing city of Carthage, as "given up to slaughter and buried in flames" by the Romans, has this remark: But what above all shocks human nature is, to see them sanctifying all the horrors of war by the ceremonies of religion. They solemnly devoted their enemies to their infernal gods, and Scipio performed the ceremony.”—The historian adds-" Such imprecations might undoubtedly increase the military ardor and confidence of the soldiers; but how dreadfully shocking must they be to the feeling heart !” Vol. ii. p. 16, 17.

If it be so "shocking to the feeling heart" to read this pagan prayer, and to observe the Roman manner of "sanctifying all the horrors of war by religious ceremonies,”—how shocking must it be to reflect on the constancy and inconsistency with which Christians have imitated these pagan examples!

We say the constancy ;-for in all the wars of Christians, from the reign of Constantine to this day, they have associated the horrors of war with religious ceremonies ;" and each party in a contest has prayed for the destruction of the other.

We say the inconsistency, for two reasons :—

First. Christians profess a religion which positively forbids the indulgence of warring passions-ambition, avarice, hatred, and revenge. It requires them to love one another -to love even their enemies, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing them that curse, doing good to those who hate and persecute them, and praying for their forgiveness, as they would hope for the forgiveness of God. Yet professed Christians have not only made war on each other, but have attempted to "sanctify all the horrors," and even all the Vol. II. No. 8.

5

First.

AUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCES.

"The Emperor of Russia has been fixed on by the governments f the United States and Great Britain as the UMPIRE to adjust the differences respecting slaves, under the Treaty of Ghent." This example is The principle dapted to show the world the proper substitute for war. s applicable to all cases of controversy between nations, and infinitely prefrable to a resort to arms.

Second. The Emperor Alexander has recently given further proof of is sincerity in forming the "Holy Alliance," by friendly efforts to preail on our government not to adopt a course which might lead to a war he vith Spain. In an official despatch to his minister in this country, charges him "to plead with the government at Washington the cause of peace and concord," and to engage them " to give to the Spanish ministry an example of patience." To enforce his plea in favor of pacific measures, he suggests, that our “rights appear too solid not to be weakened by a violent course of proceeding." This idea ought never to be forgotten.

We are happy in having to add, that the President of the United States has shown a readiness to comply with the wishes of the Emperor, and has recommended to Congress measures of forbearance towards Spain.

Third. The Legislature of Maryland have made a supplement to their militia law, which contains four sections. "The first strikes off the first and last parade; the second reduces the fine for each parade—the third releases the Quakers, the Mennonists, the Dunkers, and persons who are con scientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, from militia duty, provided such persons are contributors to the Dispensary to the amount of seven dollars and a half annually-the fourth relieves the keepers of the penitentiary National Intelligencer. from militia duty."

We record this as an auspicious occurrence, not because we think the "supplement" makes the law unexceptionable, but because it evinces a spirit of melioration and improvement, which ought to be encouraged. "Seven dollars and a half" is a heavy tax for a poor man to pay annually for being a peaceable and conscientious citizen, though the sum be devoted to a charitable institution. But the same spirit of improvement which has thus far abated the rigor of the militia law, may yet lead all the Legisla tures of our country to see, that men ought rather to be praised than punished, for being "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" to destroy their brethren; and that a wise policy will rather inflict its penalties on duellists and instigators of war, than on men who are so peaceable that they cannot shed a brother's blood.

Fourth. In Wayne county, Indiana, a society of 35 members has been recently organized by the name of the WHITEWATER INDIANA PEACE SOCIETY. Thomas Carrall is the Corresponding Secretary.

A society which has for sometime existed in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, has commenced operations as a PEACE SOCIETY, by procuring a considerable

crimes" of war by religious ceremonies!" Not indeed the ceremonies of the bloody and revengeful religion of pagans, but the ceremonies of the benign and peaceful religion of Jesus Christ!

Second. While Christians have indulged the sanguinary, pagan spirit of war, and prayed for vengeance and destruction on one another, they have not, like the pagans of Rome, addressed these prayers to Pluto, but to the merciful FATHER of all; and to complete the climax of inconsistency, they have offered these prayers for vengeance, in the name of the PRINCE OF PEACE," who died the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God," and who with his dying breath prayed for the forgiveness of his murderers!

Is it possible to conceive of inconsistency more glaring, or more revolting to the benevolent and reflecting mind, than what has now been exhibited? And does not the honor of our religion require, that Christians should either renounce the pagan spirit of war, and cease to pray for the destruction of one another, or offer these prayers to Pluto, and not to the GOD of love and peace?

Such infernal beings, as Pluto and the Furies were supposed to be, might be pleased with such prayers. But what can be more absurd than to suppose, that such murderous effusions or imprecations can be acceptable to the benevolent God, who extends mercy not only to the good, but to the evil and unthankful? And what better character, than that of the infernal Pluto, do Christians impute to Jehovah, while they imagine that he is pleased with their indulgence of warring passions, their hatred one to another, and their prayers for vengeance and destruction? All who read and believe the Gospel, are taught that our heavenly Father is far more benevolent than any earthly parent. But where in this world can be found a good parent, who could be pleased in seeing his children divided into hostile parties, seeking each other's blood, and mutually calling on him for aid to enable them to murder one another!

EXHORTATION OF POPE NICHOLAS.

In the following language Pope Nicholas addressed two Sovereigns, Charles and Lewis, and exhorted them to preserve the peace which they had made with each other :— "Spare the sword. Dread the effusion of blood. Restrain your anger. Lull strife and banish hatred from your hearts. Let each of you be content with his lot and enjoy in peace his own inheritance, not disturbing nor invading the rights of others. Guard against vain glory, superciliousness, and the ambition of invading other people's rights; and let justice, charity, harmony and peace reign among you. Whoever acts otherwise, acts not agreeably to our heavenly Father."

PROPOSAL FOR READING PEACE SOCIETIES.

In this age of Benevolent Institutions it has become necessary to devise means by which much good may be done with little expense. In 1817, the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Peace Society published Proposals for Branch Societies; and 15 such Societies have already been organized. This plan the Committee desire to have continued and extended. But they are impressed with a belief that many Christians really wish to aid the cause of peace, who have been deterred, by a consideration of the annual expense, from joining the Society in any form heretofore proposed. Among this number, it is supposed there are some worthy ministers of the gospel, as well as other benevolent citizens. The Committee, therefore, now propose the following plan for forming Auxiliaries, by the name of

READING PEACE SOCIETIES.

Such Societies may be formed by any number of individuals, of any age or sex, who may wish to associate for that purpose. They may choose a Secretary or Librarian, and such other officers as they shall deem proper, and form their own regulations and terms of admission. On being organized, they shall be allowed, in copies of Peace tracts at the wholesale price, the full amount of all the money which they may transmit to the Chairman of the Executive Committee, be the same more or less.

For two dollars, they may have a complete set of the nineteen Numbers of the Friend of Peace published prior to 1820, together with the Solemn Review and the Monument:-for four dollars, two complete sete, and in that proportion for any sum which shall be paid. They will also be allowed equal to five Numbers of the Friend of Peace, in 1820, for fifty cents.