predecessors in military power and glory, is falling by the

same means.

Many other examples might be adduced, to show the effects of military principles on warring nations; but these are deemed amply sufficient to prove the principle we have laid down, namely, that where military principles are maintained, and continued in practice, by any nation, so far are they from affording protection and defence, they will eventually prove the ruin of its morals and manners, and render the people more miserable, if not effect their total destruction, as an independent nation.

RECAPITULATION.

Having now given a brief sketch of some of the most noted and famous warring nations, and their bloody wars, from the earliest ages of the world, down to more modern days, we would request the reader to examine the picture, with an unprejudiced eye, which is here but faintly portrayed, and reflect with a serious, candid and rational mind, upon the nature and consequences of war, and warlike principles and passions, in all ages, and then say whether it is possible for him to be the advocate of war, or its principles and preparations, in any shape.

Where will the advocates of war now find the once fertile, rich and powerful kingdom of Egypt, with her numerous armies, which like the waters of a deluge, threatened to cover the earth with their immense numbers and irresistible power? Where is her famous city of Thebes, with its powerful defences and "infinite strength ?" What has been the fate of the mighty empire of the ancient Assyrians, who once deemed her power superior to gods and men? What is become of the great city of Nineveh, with her mighty walls and lofty towers-her numerous armies and wonderful strength? Where is the once highly renowned Chaldean empire? and what has been the fate of the great city of Babylon, once styled "the glory of kingdoms?" where are her impregnable walls and great riches-her inexhaustible resources and mighty strength? Where is the once vastly extensive Medo-Persian empire, with her immense riches, and almost innumerable military forces? What has become of the once brave, politic and powerful Grecian empire, whose armies caused the inhabitants of the earth to tremble before them? Where is the far famed city of Tyre, with her inexhaustible riches and mighty power? What has been

the fate of the once powerful Carthagenian empire, and the renowned city of Carthage, with all her fleets and armies, her warring heroes and "mighty men of renown?" Where are the once noble, hardy and invincible Romans, and that mighty city which was long known as the proud and haughty mistress of the world? What is now become of the once invincible Saracen armies, which, swift as the destroying locusts in their flight, seemed to threaten destruction to the human race? Where is the vast empire of the Tartars, whose mighty power once shook the whole earth? And what is now become of the once gigantic power of the Turks?

We might still extend our enquiries, and ask, Where are the once warlike nations of Philistia and Syria ?-of Edom, and Moab, and Ammon?—and all those warring nations whose names we find in the sacred records? Alas! they exist only in the record of their names, and their once barbarous and sacreligious deeds.

In short, let the advocates of war extend their enquiries through every region of the habitable globe, and will they find a single independent state or empire remaining of all the numerous warring nations of antiquity? Where is now their once resplendent glory and terrible warlike power? Where are all their impregnable walls, their powerful fortifications, their military preparations, and immense armies? What did all their expensive and formidable preparations and means of defence avail them? Have they protected or preserved in existence any of all these great nations? Have they saved one of them from destruction? Have they not been the very cause of destruction and dissolution to them all? Their glory is faded, like a flaming meteor, that flashes for a moment and dies. Their power is fallen; like a rushing tornado, that vents its rage and is gone. Nothing is left behind but wrecks of cities and empires, the sad monuments of human folly, misery and woe! And where are all their great heroes, and "mighty men of renown," those sons of violence," who have been the prime movers of violence, and the great scourges of the human race, among these mighty warring nations and kingdoms? Doubtless they are gone to receive the reward of their works: "Mighty men shall be mightily tormented."

It seems that the most inflexible advocate of war might here learn a lesson, sufficient to convince him of the fatal tendency of the art of war, in all its principles and practices; and see, at once, the impossibility of promoting the wellbeing

of a nation thereby for the fate of all these nations clearly shows that, so far from affording any permanent protection to any people, the pursuit of military science, and the art of war, has a direct tendency to involve a nation in the calamities of war, and ultimately, to lead it to ruin.

To show that military preparations cannot preserve the peace of a nation, we will here introduce an extract from an address delivered by the secretary of the Hartford Peace Society, in that city, on the 7th of September, 1828.

"It is a favorite maxim with some, that preparation for war, is the best preservative of peace. But has not this maxim proved false in fact? Let us look at Great Britain. Has her constant warlike attitude, and her sensitive national pride, secured to her the constant possession of her rights, and the inestimable blessings of peace? If so, why has she been complaining, for ages, of the conduct of other nations towards her, and of the violation of their treaties? And why has her sword been unsheathed forever? From the year 1110 to the present, a period of about seven hundred years, England has had twenty-four wars with France, besides others. Two hundred and sixty years of the seven hundred were employed by these nations in butchering one another. From 1161 to 1471, a term of three hundred and ten years, one hundred and eighty-six were spent in war. From 1368, they were at war one hundred and one years in one hundred and three, having a peace only of two years? duration." What a fine exemplification of the principle that preparation for war is the best preservative of peace!*

But so high is the estimation in which the policy of war is held, by political rulers; so strong is the current of popular prejudice in its favor; and so congenial are its principles to the proud and ambitious passions of man, that, in our days, even professed Christian nations still continue to maintain its practice, and exult in the great glory to be obtained by the exploits of war. And instead of profiting by the sad experience of all ages, they still continue to urge the absolute necessity of wars, and warlike preparations, for the protection and defence of nations. And what has been the result? Have not all the nations of Europe acted upon this principle? Have they not continued to improve upon the warlike arts of their ancestors? Have they not even carried the science of war to a far greater extent than it was ever carried by the warring nations of antiquity? Yet

* See Harbinger of Peace, No. 7, p. 165.

notwithstanding all their arts of war, with all their vast military preparations, their immense armies, and their unbounded expense to maintain its principles, what has it all availed? Where is the nation on the continent of Europe, which has not been overrun by war within the last forty years? How futile, then, have been all their wars and warlike preparations, in protecting and defending these nations! and how fatal and terrible have been the effects!

Where is now the wonderful military genius of Napoleon? Where are his mighty armies, which so lately spread terror and devastation through all Europe? What is become of the invincible power of that man, who made nations tremble before him, and who thought himself master of the world? Was not the French empire under him considered unconquerable? Yet, after having conquered nearly all Europe, how easily did the hand of Divine Providence, in just retribution, accomplish her overthrow, and cause her haughty leader, and the whole nation, to drink deeply of the cup of humiliation and misery, which they had so largely dealt out to other nations.

How blind and infatuated are those who are governed by the passions of war! Why will they not learn wisdom by the fatal experience of all ages and nations before them? What but absolute infatuation could make them so blind to their own interests, and the interests of their country,—to their own best good, both here and hereafter?

Were there any other art or science on earth which, after having been proved but one hundredth part as much as the art of war, and been attended with one thousandth part of the expense and fatal consequences, and so evidently failed of accomplishing its professed object, who can believe that, in this enlightened age, it would still continue to be practiced? Yet the present generation, with all their professions of generosity and humanity to their enemies, and all their pretensions to civilization and refinement, mingling the blandishments of a Chesterfield with the horrid weapons of murder, (strange combination!) still continue to rush on to the bloody combat, as if glorying to excel in human butchery, as the noblest art of rational beings. And after having carried the art of war, with all its attendant calamities, to the utmost height of destructive refinement, they still manifest very small symptoms of reformation, and are yet unwilling to abandon those delusive maxims, that "preparation for war is the surest means of preserving peace;" and that, “to cultivate the spirit of war, and make great military prepa

rations, is the best policy of a nation; because it is the most efficient means of protection and defence.” Fatal delusion!

Those who do not consider the fatal tendency of war principles, often adduce the destruction of those ancient nations and cities, as sad evidences of the mutability of all earthly things, and as certain proofs of the supposed inevitable decree which the Almighty has imposed on states and nations, by which they are predestined to rise and fall. But let them read the declarations of the prophets, who foretold the fate of these nations, and they will there find that their moral depravity and wickedness, and especially the violence and corruption produced by the spirit of war, were the real causes which brought these disasters upon them. Hence we may learn that there is no inscrutable mystery in the fall of nations; nor any other predestination in their fate, than the certain visitations of Divine Justice upon them, as the just and natural consequences of their own works.

When will the warring nations of Christendom learn, by fatal experience, the truth of the following sacred proverbs, namely; "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.* The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.t-He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. -"|| The whole preceding sketch of the fate of warring nations, clearly proves the truth of these sacred passages. When therefore, we ask, will the nations of Christendom lay aside their degrading and destructive war principles, on which they so confidently rely for strength and safety, and learn that portion of true wisdom which is better than strength,— the wisdom of prudence, virtue and peace?

*Psa, cxxvii 1. Eccl. ix, 11. Prov. xvi, 32, || Eccl. ix, 18,