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gospel we effect the abolition of war, we abolish the "school of vice" and depravity, and establish in its room the school of Christian virtue and benevolence; we dry up the sources of desolating ambition, and open a new channel for the display of heroism, and the attainment of glory; nay, we obstruct the road to perdition, and lay open and illuminate the path of life.

We may further ask, what institution, which had the custom of ages, the habits of education, the ambition of the aspiring, and the prejudices of a world to encounter, was ever blessed with brighter prospects of success, at its first anniversary, than the Massachusetts Peace Society? When this society was formed, with what a gloom was it surrounded! except when it looked up to the Father of lights, or into the gospel of his Son. Those who first conversed on the subject, hardly knew whom it would be proper to consult, or where to look for a sufficient number of members to be called a society. Not a syllable had reached our country respecting the pacifick League of the three sovereigns; and nothing, perhaps, was more remote from expectation than such a phenomenon. It was, indeed, a formidable objection in the minds of many against joining the society, that nothing of the kind was known to exist in Europe. But now this objection is obviated; the gloom which accompanied the dawn is dispelled, and the SUN OF PEACE is above the horizon. It may be occasionally eclipsed, or its light may be partially obstructed by intervening clouds; yet it will pursue its course, till it shall shine with meridian splendour.

It is also a fact, which demands our gratitude, that notwithstanding the general prepossession, that wars are as inevitable as earthquakes and tempests, and that an effort to abolish them would be both useless and dangerous, and little less than fighting against the Almighty; yet these prepossessions have been gradually subsiding, or at least they have not been suffered to display themselves in acts of hostility against the society. Some things have indeed been written, from a misapprehension of the objects of the society, but much less than might naturally have been anticipated, and probably very little, compared with what would have appeared, had the writers been met with intemperate replies.

The friends of peace have no need to adopt a course of angry altercation in defence of their principles. Candid appeals to the understanding, the conscience, and the heart, are much better adapted to advance the cause of peace. Strong prepossessions are not to be instantaneously removed; nor by other than friendly and peaceable means. Harshness and asperity are much more likely to fix and increase prejudices, than to eradicate them. Besides, in pleading the cause of peace, it would be very indecorous and inconsistent to indulge any other than a pacifick

spirit. Soft words turn away wrath; they also open the ears and conciliate the affections of reasonable and reflecting men.

It is, however, much to the honour of those of our fellowcitizens, who have doubted the utility of Peace Societies, that they have so generally adopted the principle of Gamaliel, and let us alone, till it should appear whether this counsel and this work were of men, or of God. And we may devoutly hope that they will not much longer be kept in suspense, on a question of such importance to themselves, to us, and to the world.

Christians have long been in the habit of commemorating, at this season of the year, the birth of THE PRINCE OF PEACE. It is now eighteen hundred and sixteen years since the anthem of Angels was heard by the Shepherds of Bethlehem-"Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace; good will towards men." It was at this season of the last year, that the Emperour Alexander proclaimed, in Russia, the pacifick Alliance. In the same month, the Peace Society was formed in Ohio. At this season of the last year, the Massachusetts Peace Society had its origin. The avowed object in all these recent institutions, is, to carry into effect the grand and benignant purpose of God, in sending his Son as the Prince of Peace.

Thus said the benevolent Messiah-"The Son of man came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them." His doctrines, his precepts, his prohibitions, his examples, and his prayers, were all adapted to such a heavenly purpose. In subserviency to this purpose, our society was formed. To this end all its operations should be directed. And what can be more animating than the thought of being workers together with God, for the redemption of our race, from the oppressions, the crimes, and the miseries of war; and for the establishment of peace and good will in a world of intelligent beings for whom the Saviour died, and who have for ages been in the habit of destroying one another, and of glorying in their shame.

From divine prophesies, and from what God has already done, we may derive hope and animation. But let us never indulge the thought, that those predictions which involve the agency of men, will be accomplished without that agency. Having put our hands to the plough, let us never look back. Having enlisted as soldiers of the Prince of Peace, let us quit ourselves like men. With our minds deeply impressed with the bloody and revengeful character of war, and its contrariety to the spirit of our religion, let us resolve, in the language of Mr. Wilberforce, "Never, never will we desist, till we have wiped away this scandal from the Christian name."*

* On the day of the Annual Meeting, a letter was received from the Hon. Samuel Freeman, of Portland, announcing the pleasing intel

The first Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Peace Society was held in Boston, at the Chauncey Place, December 26, 1816; and the above Report was read, accepted, and ordered to be printed.

OFFICERS ELECTED FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.

His Hon. Wm. Phillips, President.
Hon. Thomas Dawes, Vice-President.
Elisha Ticknor, Esq. Treasurer.'

Rev. T. M. Harris, D.D. Recording Secretary.
Rev. Noah Worcester, Corresponding Secretary.

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ligence, that printed Proposals for a Peace Society, in Cumberland County, were in circulation, and that several Ministers of religion, and other respectable characters had already given their names.

A letter has, also, been recently received from England, dated the 4th Oct. 1816, announcing, that Two Peace Societies had been formed in London; that THREE editions of the "Solemn Review of the Custom of War," had already been published; that application had then been made for a fourth; that various other pamphlets on the subject, were in circulation; some new ones about to be printed; and that considerable attention had been excited among Christians of different denominations.

MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS PEACE SOCIETY ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER IN EACH TOWN.

Boston-55.

Thacher, S. C. Rev.

Anderson, John

Bingham, Caleb

Baker, Joseph
Burdit, J. W.
Boynton, Amos
Blanchard, J. P.
Bullard, Charles
Channing, W. E. Rev.
Cummings, Jacob A.
Cleaveland, Charles
Dawes, Thomas, Hon.
Drew, John

Davis, John, Hon.

Dearborn, Benjamin, Esq.
Eliot, John

Freeman, James, Rev. D. D.

Frothingham, N. L. Rev.
Grew, John

Huntington, J. Rev.
Homes, Henry
Homer, G. J.

Hill, Henry, Esq.
Hale, David
Lowell, C. Rev.

Morrill, James, Deacon
May, Samuel, Deacon
May, Joseph, Colonel
Parker, Isaac, Hon.
Parkman, Samuel, Esq.
Parkman, F. Rev.
Parsons, William, Esq.
Phillips, W. Lt. Governour
Paul, Thomas, Rev.
Rand, Isaac, Dr.
Russell, N. P.

Rich, Benjamin

Ropes, William

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