has been organized at Marseilles, in the south of France, which, like its parent institution, avows the dissemination of pacific principles to be one of its prominent objects. But your Committee do not regard Peace Societies as the only agents that are operating to the abolition of war. We gladly hail as fellow-labourers all who are enlisted in the benevolent projects of the day; for it is evident, that whatever calls into exercise the kindly feeling of the heart, must check the growth of those lusts and passions from which wars and fightings come. We rejoice to perceive that Christians are coming to feel, more than they ever have felt, that the most acceptable way of giving glory to God, is by doing good to men-that the surest test of piety is the habitual practice of benevolence-and that those persons are most woefully mistaken who are supposing that they love God whom they cannot see, while, at the same time, they do not love, nor delight to promote the happiness of their fellow-beings, whom they can see. We sincerely wish well to all the Christian enterprises that are now on foot; but while we say to those engaged in them, God speed ye! we would call upon them to lend us more direct specific aid, to the abolition of the custom of war; a custom which is inseparable from the grossest violations of God's commands, and is the most prolific source of human wretchedness. The pecuniary assistance we need, they may render to us without subtracting essentially from their means of giving to other objects. Peace Societies do not seek to obtain very large funds; they require only such as will enable them to keep the community supplied with suitable tracts and treatises on this subject. And we dare promise, that whatever is given for this purpose shall be repaid four-fold to all other Christian enterprises, in the facilities created by the influence of pacific principles to the success of every other plan for the melioration of the human condition, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. We trust then that we shall not appear arrogant, if we claim that the object of Peace Societies is second in importance to none that now calls for aid from Christians and philanthropists. Because the abolition of war was not undertaken so soon as some other benevolent enterprises, and because it has not yet awakened so much interest as some others have, are no evidences that it is not even more important than any one of them. That it is so, we do not claim but surely it is not reasonable to suppose that the best projects were first devised. Even benevolence, no doubt, grows wiser by experience. It is not very common, though it certainly would be most expedient, for us to begin with the correction of evil at home. We see the faults of others sooner than we do our own. Hitherto, Christian enterprise has been labouring to extirpate the bad customs that are abroad, the idolatries and licentiousness of heathen nations. Peace Societies invite Christians to abolish those bad customs which are allowed among themselves, the indulgence of revenge, and devotion to the god of war. We would persuade, we would urge them to enlist with us, from this high consideration, among others, that it is only by reflecting the light of the Sun of Righteousness in its purity, that Christian nations will induce others to turn and seek, that they may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Letter from Mr. Richard M'Lean, Rawdon, Nova Scotia, to Mr. John Bevans. RESPECTED FRIEND, Rawdon, Aug. 5, 1828. I HAVE been anxiously expecting the pleasure of again hearing from you; for as cool water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. I wrote to you early last Spring in behalf of our Society, informing you of its existing state, and acknowledging the receipt from you of a large parcel of tracts, and of a letter, dated April, 1827; having since then no reply to my letter, I fear you may never have received it. Our Society desire to express to you their grateful sense of the kindness of the parent Institution, feeling assured that the interest evinced towards us, proceeds from a principle of love implanted in the soul by the Spirit of God, constraining you thus to devise means for the present and eternal well-being of your fellow men. regret that we have been enabled to do so little in the furtherance of a cause so well calculated to contribute to the happiness of man, and to promote the glory of God. This has partly arisen from local circumstances; our country is now but thinly inhabited, and money scarce; besides, having in Divine providence thus far experienced but little of the immediate calamities of war, and known but little of its horrors but from report, many do not so sensibly feel the need and value of the Institution, nor properly appreciate the important object it has in view. We Notwithstanding all this, we have reason to trust that the circulation of the London and Massachusetts Society's tracts has been productive of much good, and has brought many persons to deny the expediency of war, on any ground, and has thus been as good seed sown which will bring forth fruit to the glory of God, and good will among men. * This is the fact, that letter has not been received. The word of God cannot fail that declares that wars shall cease to the ends of the earth, when there shall be heard no more the confused noise of the warrior, and garments rolled in blood, but Christ shall extend his dominion from the river to the ends of the earth. I have paid over to a friend in Halifax 57. currency, which he promises to forward to you by the first safe opportunity, and which I have to request you to receive as a donation from our Society; though small, you have with it our best desires and earnest prayers that the blessing of God may attend all your exertions and make them to succeed. We hope our means will become more extended, and that we may be more efficiently enabled to co-operate with you in your labours of love. Our Annual Meeting will be held 25th December; it would afford us pleasure to receive letters previous. I subscribe myself, with you, a fellow-labourer in promoting the interests of Christ's kingdom, RICHARD M'LEAN. Bond, Mr. George, 23, High-street, Pentonville.. Brown, Mr. Joseph, 163, Tooley-street, Borough Camroux, Mr. John Lewis, 2, Alfred-pl. Kent-rd. Capper, Mr. John, 69, Gracechurch-street .... Cash, Mr. Samuel, 14, King-street, Cheapside Cash, Joseph, ditto Casson, Mr. Mordecai, as Executor of John Rials .... ..... ........ Clarkson, Mr. William, Baldock and Bath... ...... Cockfield, Henry, Esq. Upton, Essex ........ Codnor, Mr. Samuel, Teignmouth, Devon Coggeshall Book Society, by the Rev. J. Wells.. 6000000 0 10 6 0 10 6 0 10 6 Mids. L. Day Xmas. L. Day Mids. 500 100 |