ples as would justify such a revolution; lest God should cause them to "eat of the fruit of their own way, and to be filled with their own devices.”

As much as I lament the condition of the slaves, and as much as I abhor the inhuman principles by which their rights have been violated, I should shudder at the thought of exciting them to adopt the principles of war and revenge. I should advise them still "to suffer wrong, rather than to do wrong." I would advise them to follow the instructions and example of Jesus Christ, rather than to become the disciples of Dr. M'Leod. But if the principles and spirit of war and revenge are still to be cultivated in our land, what better can we reasonably expect, than that the blacks who are held in slavery among a free people, will be formed into a terrifick army by the permission and providence of that "God, to whom vengeance belongeth," and be suffered to distress and destroy their oppressors ?

No other means would, in my opinion, be so likely to prevent such an awful calamity, as faithfully to cultivate, both among whites and blacks, the heavenly principles of

peace on earth, and good will toward men." In this way the condition of the slaves might be meliorated, and their emancipation gradually and safely effected.

But if the Christians of this country will persist in upholding the bloody principles and malevolent spirit of war, alas! for the slave-holding States; the day of retribution will assuredly come, and they will be made to feel the enormity of those principles of oppression, retaliation, and revenge, which they have cherished, cultivated, and reduced to practice.

A MINIATURE PICTURE OF WAR.

COLONEL A. and Major B. assumed the rank of gentlemen of honour. Each of them had parents living, a wife, several children, and a numerous train of relations and friends. They had dealings, by which Colonel A. became indebted to the Major, and was under promise to pay in sixty days. The time expired, and the payment was neglected. The Major sent for his money, in a tone of complaint and menace. The Colonel was offended, said his honour was impeached, and demanded satisfaction. The Major said he had given no just cause of offence, and would make no concession. The Colonel immediately sent a challenge for a duel, which the Major accepted. The parties met according to appointment, took distance, and fired. The Major fell dead on the spot, and the Colonel was severely wounded. Each was carried home to his family, and their respective connexions came together. The family of the Major was in deep distress and affliction; the family of the Colonel held a feast, and drank toasts in honour of the glorious victory.

Now what shall be said of human beings, with the name of Christians, who can conduct in this savage manner? Are they sane or insane? But this is war in miniature, excepting that those who made the war fought their own battle, instead of instigating or compelling others to fight for them. Nine tenths of the wars of Christendom have been as perfectly needless, wanton, and unjustifiable, as the duel between the Colonel and the Major. Yet ministers of religion on both sides of a contest could preach, exhort, and pray in support of such murderous insanity, and employ their influence for the destruction of their brethren! What can be more wonderful, more shocking, or more to be deplored! May God grant that the reign of darkness may speedily come to an end, and that all who name the name of Christ, may depart from such abominable iniquity.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONVENTION OF CONGRE GATIONAL MINISTERS, MAY, 1816.

In the second number of the Friend of Peace, among other "encouraging facts," it was stated, that the Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers, had appointed a committee consisting of Rev. Dr. Worcester, of Salem, Rev. Mr. Channing, of Boston, Rev. Dr. Kirkland, President of Harvard University, Rev. Mr. Foster, of Brighton, and Rev. Dr. Osgood of Medford-" to consider whether it be expedient for this Convention to adopt any measure, or measures, and if any, what, to correct the publick mind on the subject of war." We have now the pleasure of presenting to our readers a Report of the Committee, and an Address to the publick, as adopted by the Convention.

These, at a future period, will probably be regarded as among the most interesting documents, which ever had their origin in a numerous assembly of the Ministers of religion. They exhibit a union of a large and respectable body of clergymen, in a cause whose importance is not exceeded by any other which it is possible to name, of ministers too, who, on other questions, are divided in their opinions. Here, then, we have a rare and pleasing example of ministers of religion, entertaining on some points discordant views, laying aside all party passions and prejudices, and with the greatest appearance of cordiality, uniting, as the disciples of the Prince of Peace, to make an impression on the publick mind against the antichristian and desolating custom of war. It is believed that history furnishes no records of the proceedings of any Ecclesiastical Body since the days of the Apostles, more consonant to the spirit of the gospel, more becoming the ministers of Christ, or which have promised greater benefits to the human family. To give place to these important documents, it has been necessary to postpone some agreeable communications.

The proceedings of the Convention as a body, were followed and enforced by an able, eloquent, and impressive sermon,

addressed to the Convention on the subject of war, by Rev. W. E. Channing, of Boston. The description which was given of the miseries, the horrours, and the crimes of war, might well make any Christian tremble at the thought of appearing again as an advocate for such a detestable custom. Happy it would be for the human race, if such views of war could be diffused throughout the world.

Report of a Committee appointed by the Massachusetts Convention

of Congregational Ministers, on the subject of War.

THE Committee appointed the last year, "to consider whether it be expedient for this Convention to adopt any measures, and if any, what, to correct the publick mind on the subject of war," have attended that service, and beg leave to report,

That, as war is one of the greatest of human evils, and the popular opinions respecting it are among the most pernicious of human errours, it highly becomes the ministers of the Prince of Peace, and the religious instructors of mankind, to employ their united influence and endeavours for its prevention and abolition. Your Committee have great pleasure in stating, that, since the last meeting of the Convention, an Association has been formed, which takes the name of the Massachusetts Peace Society, and which is already very respectable in numbers and in weight of character. They would, therefore, respectfully recommend, that the members of this Convention should become members of that society; and that they severally use their influence to induce others to become members, and to promote the formation of Auxiliary Peace Societies, in their respective towns or vicinities. Your Committee also beg leave to submit to the Convention an Address to the community at large, on the subject of war, which they have seen fit to prepare for consideration.

By order of the Committee,

BOSTON, May 29, 1816.

S. WORCESTER, Chairman.

The Address reported by the above named Committee, and accepted by the Convention.

The Convention of Congregational Ministers in Massachusetts, impel. led by a sense of duty, and solicitous to revive and disseminate the genuine spirit of the gospel, take the liberty of addressing their fellow christians of all denominations, and their fellow-citizens of every

description, on the subject of publick war. In their estimation, bo other subject has been more extensively or more radically misapprehended.

The history of past ages combines with the language and practice of modern times, to prove that publick war has too commonly been viewed much in the same light, as the unavoidable convulsions of the natural world, and resorted to with little more conviction of responsibility for its tremendous ravages, than if they were occasioned by hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Is there not, however, an immense difference in the two cases? Are not the convulsions of the natural world beyond the control of mortal power? And is not war, with all its horrours, the proper fruit of human choice and agency? This difference shows the absolute futility of what is often alleged in vindication of the sanguinary custom,-That, while it sweeps the worthless and vile from the stage of life, it calls dormant genius and enterprise into action, unites divided kingdoms and states, and ends, like the tempest, in a calm, rendered more grateful and salutary by the general agitation. What right has man, a moral being, amenable at the tribunal of heaven for the rectitude of his intentions and pursuits, to "do evil, that good may come ?" To hurry thousands of his fellow-creatures into untimely graves, and send them, unprepared, to their last account, under pretence of benefiting survivors? Vain pretence: "for the sword devoureth one as well as another;" and the experience of ages testifies, that the tendency of war is, not to diminish, but to increase the aggregate amount, both of vice and misery. But were it otherwise; were war productive of all the advantages, which its advocates allege, the question, whether it be compatible with the requisitions of Christianity, would still remain to be solved, before we could have recourse to it, without a crime. And "what saith the scripture" to this question? How do the sacred writers of the Old and New Testaments represent the obligations and the effects of our holy religion, in relation to war? Let them speak for themselves : "In the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established upon the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and all people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears