ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

FIGHTING CHRISTIANS.

"MAKE all men Christians," say some, "and wars will cease." As a comment on this common remark, I will relate a circumstance which was told me by an aged minister of the gospel, who lives in one of our seaport towns.

He said, that, during the last war, a member of his church, apparently a pious man, bought a share in a privateer, and went out in her. They fell in with a British ship that had not heard of the war. In bringing her to, this Christian fired into the ship, and mortally wounded the captain. When this professor of religion boarded the prize, the captain was expiring, and had only time to learn, that the United States had declared war against Great Britain; and his last words were, "Good God, am I killed by an American!" It was supposed that the British captain was particularly attached to the Americans.

We never hear a man say, "let slavery continue until all men become Christians; let intemperance continue until all men become Christians;" or, what amounts to the same thing, that there is no need of any special efforts in the cause of temperance; for, when all men become Christians, they will become temperate. But we often hear, and sometimes from ministers the above remark, "make all men Christians, and wars will cease; and therefore there is no need of any special effort to abolish war.' Which is as much as to say, "let Christians continue to shoot and stab one another, until all men become Christians." W.

THOMAS SHILLESTO.
Furnished by Miss Sarah M. Grimké.

That the everlasting arm of mercy is still extended towards the members of the human family, in all their various allotments and circumstances in life, is a truth which calls forth the liveliest emotions of gratitude, adoration and praise. Besides the light emanating from our dear Master, which if properly attended to, would lead all to happiness, how many instrumental means of awakening man to a sense of his undone and miserable condition, has our High Priest and Saviour bestowed! How many ministers has he called and sanctified for this service! Through what exercises and trials have they been led, that they might feel for, and sympathise with those whose spiritual dwellings are in desolate places!

Thomas Shillesto, believing himself called by his great Master to visit the sheep of the true fold in Germany, was, while fulfilling this concern, led into deep exercise and feeling for the prisoners in one of the state prisons. Believing it to be his duty to use every means in his power to procure admission to them, he procured a letter of recommendation to a man of some consequence residing near the place, but whom he found on his arrival to be from home. He could not obtain admission without the authority of some one; and how to obtain it he knew not. But he who seeth the end from the beginning, and who willed that these poor prisoners should hear the gospel of glad tidings preached unto thein, opened a way where there seemed to be no way. By the inquiry he made, Thomas attracted the attention of the only person in the place who could grant him the privilege he desired. From him he obtained a letter to the governor directing him to allow Thomas a meeting with the prisoners. Thomas now perceived the overruling band of Providence in the absence of him to whom his first letter was addressed; for he found he could not have granted him the liberty he desired, and from his character would

have been more likely to have opposed it. Thomas now presented his letter to the Governor, who procured him a meeting with the prisoners, which, although a pretty open time, did not altogether relieve his mind, and he was induced to believe by the overflowings of gospel love towards such, that there were other prisoners confined in the castle, whom for some cause the Governor had not produced. Upon mentioning his suspicion to the Governor, he confessed that there were such, but that they were among the most abandoned and profligate of men, that they had murdered their late Governor, and that he did not consider it safe to bring them together. Thomas tried to persuade him to grant him an interview with them; but not until a second letter from Thomas' friend did he give permission for a visit, and even then he told him, he must meet them by himself as he could not think of risking his own life among them. He appointed a certain time for the meeting; and as it approached, leaving his watch and money at the inn where he abode, he proceeded towards the castle. But as he went, a concern came over him and a fear, that he had shown a want of faith in thus leaving them; this uneasiness increasing he returned and procured these articles. When he reached the castle, the Governor informed him that all was ready; and although he had told him before that he would not go with him, yet he now felt most easy to attend him, though evidently in fear.

The meeting was held, in which so powerfully did the preaching of Thomas take hold of the hearts of these deluded sinners, that they were all melted into tears. The Governor also, when he had ended, apparently under the solemnity which covered the assembly, weightily addressed the prisoners, who, when Thomas, as he felt most easy to do, shook hands with each of them, clung round him as hardly knowing how to let him depart.

MORAL CHARACTER OF HEROES.

These demigods of the world have pretty generally been rotten to the very core of their moral character. The debaucheries of Nelson, Wellington, and many in our own country whose names we forbear to repeat, are well known to persons acquainted with their private history. On this point it were easy to furnish facts which would fill the best portions of the community with disgust and horror. We give below a few specimens from the newspapers, of the patriots and heroes in Texas, whose characters and exploits were eulogized last winter by certain members of Congress, as entitled to nearly the same admiration as the fathers of our own revolution!

"In the year 1813, Ira Ingram was a school teacher in the village of Utica, where he committed a forgery, for which he was sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison at New York. After his release he assumed another name, and became a bookseller in a small way somewhere in the State of Kentucky. We perceive by the New York papers, that a law on the subject of slavery has been recently enacted in the nation of Texas, and that one Ira Ingram has signed the same as Speaker of the House of Representatives of that republic. "And was not the Charles E. Hawkins, who recently died in New Orleans, holding the office of Commodore of the Texas navy, the same individual who, some eight or ten years ago, committed a most savage, cold-blooded, and deliberate murder, in Key West, Florida, upon William Allison McRea, Esq., the talented, high-minded, and honorable Attorney of the United States for that District; and escaped the gallows only because the deed was so atrocious that a jury of the District could not be had, who had not formed and expressed an opinion' on the subject? The Territory could not demand a change of venue-the prisoner would not; and he was, therefore, discharged after two terms of the court.

"We are very certain that the vicissitudes of fortune' have transferred a multitude of cut-throats, desperadoes, outlaws, and criminals, into Texan heroes and statesmen. Robert Potter and Mosely Baker, both great men in

that new republic, are not unknown to the criminal records of our country. A fellow who ran away from his creditors, and floated down the Arkansas in a pirogue, was for a time acting governor of Texas. And against some of the heroes of San Jancinto indictments for murder, &c., are now pending in this very county."

ARTICLE VIII.

INTELLIGENCE.

The Richland Peace Society report to the American Peace Society, That their society was organized 25th December, 1835; that it now consists of sixty-two members; that its officers are

ANDREW H. STEVENS, President,

Rev. RALPH ROBINSON, Vice President,
RALPH FRENCH, Secretary,

JOSEPH GIBBS, Treasurer.

In accordance with a resolution of said society at its last meeting, I herewith transmit to the American Peace Society five dollars, and request that society to forward to us such publications as they deem best calculated to enlighten the public mind, and promote the object of the cause generally.

This is a subject with which the people of this region appear to be but little acquainted. I presume, that papers and tracts of the right kind might be very profitably circulated here. I think the minds of the community about this place are not hostile, but pretty well prepared to receive instruction on the subject, and to embrace the peace principles when fully made to understand them.

Below you have a copy of our preamble and constitution.

R. FRENCH, Secretary.

Richland, Oswego Co., N. Y., April 28, 1837.

"We, the subscribers, viewing war as a distressing and desolating evil, extremely demoralizing in its tendency, unauthorized by the word of God, which prohibits the spirit of retaliation, and whether it will issue in favor of the injured is wholly uncertain; believing, also, that the general current of public opinion again it would effect its extinction; to give an opportunity more fully to make ys known by an interchange of thought, and free discussion upon this subject, do agree to associate ourselves together, and adopt the following

our

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE 1. This association shall be called the RICHLAND PEACE SOCIETY.

ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be to expose the evils of war, to inculcate the principles of peace, and endeavor to devise means for the settlement of national discords, as substitutes for war.

ART. 3. No resolution or act of this Society shall be adopted tending to oppose any particular religious or political sect.

ART. 4. Every person subscribing this constitution shall be a member. ART. 5. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall perform the usual duties of such officers, and who together shall form a Board of Supervision to manage the business of the Society.

ART. 6. This Society shall hold its annual meetings on the evening of the 24th of December; and in case of any important exigences, the officers may call extra meetings.

ART. 7. Any person may withdraw from this Society, by signifying his wish so to do to the Secretary, at any annual meeting.

ART. 8. This constitution may be amended at any annual meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of its members present."

DEAR SIR,

MR. LORD'S REPORT.

To the General Agent of the American Peace Society.

Having returned from my agency in behalf of the cause of peace, I would submit a brief report:

I left Andover about the middle of April, and have labored six weeks chiefly in the counties of Norfolk and Plymouth. I have visited the principal towns, have travelled three hundred and fifty miles, and delivered twenty-five sermons and addresses. Owing to the peculiar state of the times, I have collected but fifty-four dollars. It may be well to observe, however, that the counties to which my labors were chiefly confined have been extensively engaged in the shoe business, which has suffered peculiarly from the money pressure. Public sentiment would not warrant collections except in few of the towns which I visited. The ultimate interests of the cause would have been injured by any opposition to the feelings and prejudices of the community at this particular time.

I am happy to state, however, that I met more sympathy than I expected. All were ready to hear, and candidly to examine the subject, so far as I know. The state of public sentiment respecting this great cause, where I labored, was very encouraging. There appeared to be neither apathy nor opposition. All spoke of the cause as a very important one, and Christians, generally, were inclined to regard war, all war, as irreconcilable with the spirit of the gospel. I cannot but think that the efforts of the advocates of peace will be crowned with peculiar success so long as they enforce the great principles of Christianity respecting war, and the entire discrepancy of the Christian with the warlike character. There are strong reasons to believe that the cause of peace will soon be numbered among the great objects of public interest and benevolence. Yours, respectfully, J. LORD.

Boston, May 29, 1837.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.

To the Board of Directors of the American Peace Society. GENTLEMEN,

At the close of the public meeting in New York, at the late anniversary of the American Peace Society, the members met for the choice of Jers, and S. V. S. WILDER, Esq., the chairman of the meeting, was chosen president. He promptly declined the office, nominated me, and put it to vote. was chosen, and the meeting broke up before I had time to decline; but if I had declined, there was no time to choose a suitable person to fill the office. As the Board of Directors have the power to fill all vacancies, I now take this opportunity to resign the office to which I was chosen. I am willing to be the humble servant of the society; but I do not think it will comport with the honor of the society, or agree with my own feelings, for me to be the head. As it will be necessary to publish the annual report before the board will have an opportunity to choose another president, and secure his acceptance, rather thau the society should he without a president, I am willing my name should stand at the head of the list of officers for the present, expecting the Board will lose no time in choosing a person who will fill the office with more honor and advantage than I can. Yours, respectfully, WM. LADD.

Boston, May 27, 1837.

Printers, Booksellers and Stationers,

No. 9 CORNHILL, BOSTON,

-Publish the following Works—

THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN; or a familiar Illustration of Christian Duty. By Rev. Jaсов Аввотт.

THE CORNER STONE; or a familiar Illustration of the Principles of Christian Truth. "Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone." By Rev. JACOB ABBOTT.

THE WAY TO DO GOOD; or the Christian Character mature. The Sequel to the Young Christian and Corner Stone. By Rev. Jacob Abbott.

THE BIBLICAL ANALYSIS; or a Topical Arrangement of the Instructions of the Holy Scriptures. Adapted to the use of Ministers, Sabbath School and Bible Class Teachers, &c. Compiled by J. U. PARSONS.

TEMPERANCE TALES. By the author of " My Mother's Gold Ring."

There are now 14 numbers belonging to this very useful and interesting series, and upwards of 200,000 copies have been sold since their first publication.

The numbers from 1 to 12 are also neatly bound in cloth, making three volumes of about 250 pages each.

No. 1.-MY MOTHER'S GOLD RING.

No. 2.-WILD DICK AND GOOD LITTLE ROBIN.

No. 3.-1 AM AFRAID THERE IS A GOD.

No. 4.-A SECTARIAN THING.

No. 5.-GROGGY HARBOR.

No. 6.-RIGHT OPPOSITE.

No. 7.-FRITZ HAZELL.

No. 8.-JOHNNY HODGES.

No. 9.-A WORD IN SEASON.

No. 10.-SEED TIME AND HARVEST.

No. 11.-AN IRISH HEART.

No. 12.-WELL ENOUGH FOR THE VULGAR.

No. 13.-NANCY LE BARON.

No. 14.-KITTY GRAFTON.

[From the Journal of the Am. Temperance Union.]

"We say, let these Tales be widely circulated through the land. Let them be given to every young man and maiden, and to every child in our Sabbath schools. Above all, let them be thrust into the house of every distiller and rum-seller; and if they do not break up by their influence their horrid business, it is because that business has destroyed every feeling of humanity and tenderness in their breasts."

AN ARGUMENT FOR EARLY TEMPERANCE; addressed to the Youth of the United States. By EDWARD HITCHCOCK, Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Amherst College.

THE NAZARITE; or the Letter and Spirit of the Bible on the use of Wine. By an Abstinence Man.

ESSAY ON THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN AND EXTEMPORANEOUS SERMONS. By JOSEPH A. WARNE, A. M.

AIDS TO DEVOTION. Including Watts' Guide to Prayer.

JAY'S LECTURES. The Christian contemplated in a Course of Lectures, delivered in Argie Chapel, Bath. By WILLIAM JAY. 18mo. Boston stereotype edition. BAXTER'S CALL. To which are added several valuable Essays.

THREE EXPERIMENTS OF LIVING.-Living within the Means. Living up to the Means. Living beyond the Means.

This is a useful, practical work, of which about 25,000 copies have been sold within a few months.

EL NOR FULTON. A Sequel to Three Experiments of Living.

THE PEEP OF DAY. This work is a very simple and lucid explanation of the great truths of Revelation, adapted to the comprehension of the youngest child. It is a late English work, thoroughly revised, and adapted to the tastes and habits of this country. Ornamented with engravings.

THE FARM HOUSE. Account of a Visit to a Farm Yard, explaining in a simple manner, the various processes of a Farm, to amuse and interest young children. With engravings.

DIALOGUE STORIES. Stories and Conversations between Parents and Children, giving them familiar instruction in common, every-day Duties. By MARIANNE, Author of "Right and Wrong." With engravings.

TWO STRANGE GIRLS; or the entertaining History of the Young Davenports and their Cousins. With a copperplate engraving.

The four last named are uniform in size and appearance, and adapted to children of various ages under twelve years. They are edited by Rev. JACOB ABBOTT.