On the motion of the Rev. JOHN DYER, seconded by Mr. WILLIAM ALEXANDER, it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY,

That as the Principles of this Society on the subject of War, accord with the Holy Scriptures, and promote the best interests of man, they claim support from every friend of religion and of humanity.

On the motion of the Rev. INGRAM COBBIN, seconded by the Rev. ROBERT VAUGHAN, it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY,

That the Treasurer, JOHN SCOTT, Esq. be requested to continue kis valuable services to this Society for the ensuing year.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF

THE COMMITTEE

OF THE

SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF PERMANENT

AND

Universal Peace.

YOUR Committee having noticed in their last Report the successful termination of his Majesty's mediation, which restored peace between the Crowns of Portugal and Brazil, observe with pleasure, that his Majesty's Government continues to manifest a pacific disposition. At the opening of the present session of Parliament, the King says, "I am exerting myself with unremitting anxiety, either singly, or in conjunction with my allies, as well to arrest the progress of existing hostilities, as to prevent the interruption of peace in different parts of the world." A declaration so congenial with the views of the Peace Society cannot fail to produce the highest gratification, as indicating a most correct view of the real interests of nations, interests which are best promoted by a reciprocity of benefits, and a friendly intercourse with each' other; and by which peace, " of vital importance to this country and to the world," may be preserved. Let mankind be only convinced that the prosecution of war is in' every instance bad policy; as being productive of great evil to the temporal interests of nations; and it will not

be difficult to produce the further conviction that war is immoral and antichristian.

As your Committee rejoice in the preservation of the external tranquillity of this nation, a state of things favourable to your pacific labours, so they also rejoice that the accounts from your Auxiliary Societies enable them to record an increasing conviction that war is contrary to the principles of the Gospel; even in districts where the local distress, arising from the depression of trade, has had an imperative claim on the exertions of the benevolent; for, though the Committee of the Huddersfield Auxiliary, in their Fourth Report advert to this local distress as having operated unfavourably on their exertions and on their funds, they nevertheless report an increase to the number of subscribers beyond the former year; neither do they appear to relax in their laudable plan of holding District Meetings, which, they say, "have been satisfactorily attended, and on these occasions unexpected advocates have presented themselves to plead the cause of the Society. These meetings have been found very favourable opportunities for circulating the publications of the Society; the interest excited by the discussions which always precede the distribution is kept up by these silent advocates, under circumstances peculiarly favourable to the formation of a correct opinion." The Sixth Report of the Bristol Auxiliary gives an encouraging account of its progress; it states, that the "Auxiliary is steadily in-, creasing in its local influence;" that there has been "a considerable addition during the past year to the number of subscribing members," and an increasing inquiry for the Society's tracts. The Reports from Bath and Exeter also mention an accession of members to their societies. The embarrassment and distress which have been consequent on the shock that had been felt by the commerce and manu

factures of this country, to which your Committee adverted in their last Report, must, to a certain extent, have been felt by benevolent and philanthropic institutions; and though, in some districts, the interests of your Society have been affected by it, yet the prospects that have opened, during the past year, demand our gratitude to the all-wise Disposer of events, as evincing that his blessing continues to rest on the Peace-makers.

The Second Report of the Hibernian Peace Society opens a gratifying prospect to the Christian philanthropist : the Committee of that Society observe, that, notwithstanding the general distress which has prevailed in their country, the list of subscribers has considerably increased over the number of the last year; and they look to a still greater extension in the year which is just commencing. But the most delightful feature of this Society is the practical illustration it affords of the benign influence of the pacific spirit of the Gospel. In a country, which is so much divided, it draws into the same bond of union, the Catholic and the Protestant, the Churchman and Dissenter. At the last Anniversary Meeting of the Society, a letter from Dr. Doyle to the Secretary was read, in which the former expresses his cordial approbation of the object of the Society, and his willingness to lend his influence towards its promotion among the Catholic population of Ireland. [See Appendix, No. 1.] The effects of such a conciliation, produced by the prevalence of the spirit of the Gospel, are prefigured by the prophetic language, “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them; and the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie

* Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den." That this subjection of the angry and vengeful nature in man, which originates strife, discord, and war, will produce universal harmony and peace, is further intimated by the prophet, when he adds, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain." Sublime as are the prophetic figures, and important as are the events predicted, let no one suppose that he is too insignificant to aid their accomplishment. Each individual has a distinct circle in which he moves, and whether high or low, in that circle his opinions and conduct are influential."*

66

No new Tract has been published since last year, but your Committee have reason to expect that they shall be able to report an addition to your Tracts before the lapse of another year. They have also in contemplation the publication of some smaller pieces for circulation, that may arrest the attention of those who are not likely to read works of detailed and elaborate argument. A French edition of the Tracts No. VII. and VIII. is in progress. New editions of the Tracts, Nos. I. IV. and VIII., besides the Tenth Annual Report, and the Herald of Peace, have been published, making, within the year, 19,750, comprising a total of 375,250, that have been printed since the establishment of the Society. The sales and distributions this year have been 25,245. The amount of subscriptions, donations, &c. received this year, is 5827. 16s. 11d.

The Correspondence of your Committee with their coadjutors on the American continent, has been peculiarly

Third Report of Ross Auxiliary.