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No. 195. NEW SERIES.

[PRICE 2d.

CURRENT NOTES.

THE MARQUIS OF BRISTOL.

The Marquis of Bristol has become a Vice-President of the Peace Society, 47, New Broad Street, London, E.C. He has already, on various occasions, manifested a practical in erest in the Peace cause, having advocated it, both in and out of Parliament. Some years ago, in the House of Lords, he ably introduced a debate in favour of the extension of International Arbitration.

THE REV. CANON BENHAM.

The Rev. Canon Benham has joined the Executive Committee of the Peace Society. It will be remembered that he preached on "Peace Sunday," last year, a Sermon on behalf of that Society, in the Church of St. Edmund the Marty, Lombard Street, London, of which he is the Rector. Canon Benham was an intimate friend of the late Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Tait), and he is now engaged in the preparation of a biography of that Prelate. He is also known to the friends of Peace as a contributor to the columns of the Herald of Peace and International Arbitration.

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION MEETING.

The Peace Society was well represented at the autumn gathering of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, held last month, at Swansea. The Treasurer (Mr. Hazell), the Secretary (Mr. W. E. Darby), and the Rev. J. P. Gledstone attended it on behalf of the Society. They availed themselves of a favourable opportunity to advocate the cause of Peace and Arbitration, and secured the adoption, by the assembly, of a unanimous Resolution in support of these objects, and also of a "Peace Sunday."

THE BAPTIST UNION.

The Annual Report of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland contains the following official minute : "The Council having received communications from the Peace Society, suggesting that the question of Peace should be introduced in the programme of the Assembly, with a view to the adoption of a "Peace Sunday," it was resolved to recommend the churches of the Union to arrange that their services on the evening of the Sunday preceding Christmas Day should have special reference to the subject of Peace."

THE REPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL PEACE CONGRESS.

The report of the Universal Peace Congress, held in London last July, is now ready. Copies may be had of the Peace Society, 47, New Broad Street, E.C., at 6d., in paper covers, and 1s. in cloth, or sixty copies for £1, in paper covers, and twenty copies for 15s., in cloth boards. It is an exceedingly cheap work at these low prices, at which it is thus offered, in order to promote its circulation by the friends of the cause.

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MR. DAVID DALE ON INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION,

At the recent Church Congress, at Hull, Mr. David Dale, of Darlington, read an interesting paper on the importance of Arbitration and conciliation, for diminishing the conflicts between Labour and Capital. He said that circumstances had forced upon him an intimate participation in the various modes by which, during the past twenty-five years, the terms and conditions of labour had been settled in the great industries of Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire, and he confined himself to the results of actual experience. The scale of industrial enter.prise rendered it necessary that the affairs of an important union should absorb the whole time of paid officers. The Durham Miners' Association utilised properly the services of four capable and intelligent agents. The acceptance of the functions of umpire by men of distinction was amply justified by the vastness of the interests at stake. In many industries, wages could be regulated by a sliding scale; and this had much to recommend it where the wages had varied in some steady relation to the selling price of the commodity produced. The plan furnished to the workmen absolutely reliable information, usually extracted by public accountants from the books of the employers. Sliding scales had worked well for many years in the pig iron trade and the manufactured iron trade of the north of England, in the coal industries of Durham and Northumberland, in the ironstone mines of Cleveland, in South Wales, and in many other important localities and trade. In some industries workmen had terminated them without assigning definite reason; but they well deserved consideration, as a machinery tending to secure, promptly and automatically, an adaptation of wages to varying conditions of trade.

MISS BELVA LOCKWOOD.

Miss Belva Lockwood, of the Pennsylvania Peace Union has written an excellent article in the Washington Post U.S.A., on the Behrings Sea Dispute. She concludes with the remark that-"This whole matter, therefore, which

now seems to threaten the peace of two of the most powerful nations of the earth, resolves itself into questions of international law and of fact. Great Britain could not have ceded to Russia, nor Russia to the United States, rights which they did not possess, but which belong in common to all nations. An Arbitration Court, with the facts and arguments of both sides before them, could readily settle the difficulty, while war would settle nothing. An International Arbitration Court, or a High Court of Nations, in the present advanced state of civilisation, has become a necessity, which the recent Pan-American Treaty will intensify. It should be so organised and constituted that a Session could be promptly called, whenever any international trouble presents itself; and those troubles in the nature of things will be in the future, as they have been in the past, of perpetual recurrence."

PREPARE FOR A GENERAL ELECTION.

It is commonly understood that a general Parliamentary Election cannot be far distant, in Great Britain and Ireland. Hence, with such a prospect, our friends may usefully concert arrangements for a united support of such candidates, mainly, or only, who will pledge themselves to support, as legislators, the interests of Peace and Temperance. For these are questions before which mere party politics, whether Liberal or Conservative, are utterly insignificant. The Italian friends of Peace, at Milan, have lately set a good example in this direction. For, in view of their own approaching elections, they had a meeting of electors, who were addressed by MM. Siccardi, Moneta, and Pirovano, who impressed upon their hearers their duty, as patriotic sous of Italy, to send to the national councils men pledged to oppose those armaments which are exercising such a ruinous influence upon Italy.

SMOKELESS POWDER.

The most salient feature in this year's autumnal manœuvres on the Continent has been the almost universal use of the new smokeless powder; and many writers in the newspapers prophesy, from its introduction, a complete revolution in the science of fighting.

MRS. ORMISTON CHANT.

During her recent visit to America, Mrs. Chant, in an eloquent speech before the Peace Society, at Boston, said:" I think it must be so puzzling to that poor scoundrel who is waiting there, in that prison cell, to be hanged for killing a fellow being, to know that he is to be hanged for murdering one, while another, a successful general, is fêted and decorated, and ennobled and honoured in society for murdering thousands. I want to ask you a plain question: If you or I quarrel with our neighbour and strike a blow that kills, isn't that murder? If we are in a position of power, and quarrel with other men in power, and if other people strike other blows to support the quarrel on one side and the other, what do you call that? If when there was an international difference, the leading diplomatists had been called out to do the fighting themselves, we should have politeness instead of discourtesy, diplomacy instead of guns and warfare."

ENGLAND AND ITALY.

The temporary failure of the negotiations between England and Italy, in reference to the respective spheres of influence of the two Powers, in East Africa, is a matter

for regret. At the same time it is so far encouraging to notice that the negotiations were characterised throughout by a friendly spirit on both sides. The Times remarks:"We part, as we met, on perfectly good terms, after both sides have done their best to arrange a very difficult business, in which other interests besides those of the principal parties were involved; and if any augury is to be drawn at all, it is one favourable to the durability of an international friendship, which refuses to be ruffled in the least, at find ing no immediate solution of its embarrassment. Both parties can afford to regard the failure philosophically, not only because they are very good friends, but also because the matter is not pressing, from the point of view of either side."

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ENGLAND'S USELESS IRON POTS."

One of the Rear Admirals of the Fleet, writing to the press, tells us that practically one fourth of the British ironclads are useless, and worse than useless-dangerous. Their vital parts, he says, are not properly protected by armour, they have obsolete engines, using enormously more coal than the modern ones, single screws, slow speed rudders and steering gear exposed to destruction by gun fire, soft and thin iron armour, thoroughly obsolete armaments, etc. The following are proved, it is no longer a matter of opinion only, very dangerous vessels on account of their enor mous compartments :-" Neptune," "Superb," "Sultan," "Hercules,' 'Bellerophon,' "Swiftsure," "Triumph," "Audacious "Invincible," "Iron Duke," "Monarch," "Minotaur," "Agincourt," "Northumberland," "Achilles," "Black Prince," Prince Albert," "Scorpion," Wivern," and "Shannon. Thus twenty out of seventy-seven are truly dangerous. It is notorious that the writer of the letter has sound basis for his remarks. For example, in the recent naval manoeuvres the "Black Prince broke down for the third year in succession, and numerous other vessels had to be patched up, owing to defects revealing themselves in the machinery.

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THE BEHRINGS SEA FISHERIES.

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It is stated that British sealing vessels are not to be interfered with for the present. And from official sources it is understood that the orders received by the commander of the United States cutter "Wolcott," are that he is to proceed to Behrings Sea, but not to interfere with British schooners, unless they go into the harbours and rivers of Alaska and transgress the regular coast laws. The sealers there are satisfied with this temporary arrangement, as they are said to have no intention, during their winter trip, of entering into forbidden waters.

THE WORLD'S NAVIES IN 1890.

Lloyd's "Warships of the World," contains tables showing the value and extent of the merchant shipping and commerce of the principle countries, in relation to their respective war navies. The BRITISH EMPIRE possesses 6,403 merchant steamers, of a gross tonnage of 8,235,854, 3,361,252. The approximate value of this merchant navy and 5,668 merchant sailing vessels, of a net tonnage of

is £110,000,000. There are also 523 war vessels of all kinds. The UNITED STATES have 416 steamers, of 517,394 tons, and 2,856 sailing vessels, of 1,306,488 tons, worth £8,400,000; the war fleet consists of 71 vessels. FRANCE has 526 steamers, of 809,598 tons, and 854 sailing vessels, of 235,504 tons, worth £9,700,000; the ships of war number 226. GERMANY has 741 steamers of 928,911

is, and 1,135 sailing vessels, of 640,400 tons, worth 2,700,000; the ships of war number 109. ITALY has 2 steamers of 300,625 tons, and 1,343 sailing vessels of 5,942 tons, worth £4,400,000; its war fleet is 137 ssels. RUSSIA has 236 steamers, of 156,070 tons, and 5 sailing vessels of 271,265 tons, worth £2,300,000; her ir navy numbers 102 ships. These figures for merchant eamers and sailing vessels do not include craft of less an 100 tons.

FRANCE AND THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES.

It is stated in ecclesiastical circles, in Quebec, that Consignor Howley, the Prefect Apostolic of the French ore in Newfoundland, has asked the Pope to act as bitrator between Great Britain and France for the ttlement of the Newfoundland fisheries dispute. The ontiff is said to have expressed his willingness to mediate, formally asked by both parties.

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION AT SWANSEA. At the autumn meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, held last month at Swansea, the REV. J. P. LEDSTONE, London, moved the following Resolution :"This assembly, met to promote the glory of the Prince of Peace, desires to put on record its thankfulness to God for the continuance of peace among the civilised countries of the world. It rejoices that in recent negotiations, not unattended with difficulty, and requiring mutual forbearance, a more rational, peaceful, and Christian spirit has prevailed than was the case in former times, and it hails this as an encouragement to persevere in the diffusion of the principles of Peace. The assemblywould also urge upon the disciples of Christ, of all denominations, the duty of promoting, as far as possible, the practice of Arbitration in all questions of international dispute which cannot be amicably settled by the parties immediately concerned, and it calls upon ministers of the Gospel, and upon parents and teachers who have charge of the young, to do all in their power to foster and extend the influence of Christian principle on the subject. It further commends to the favourable consideration of all Congregational Churches the practice, which is sometimes adopted, of observing the Sunday immediately before Christmas, as Peace Sunday.'

Proceeding, he said he moved this Resolution with the confidence that it would be unanimously accepted by the assembly. In the resolution they desired to record thankfulness to God that the great principle of Arbitration had been successfully resorted to, between the nations of the earth. The progress which had been made was greater, perhaps, than they were aware of. It was hardly an edifying sight to have seen two great Governments in Europe partitioning the great continent of Africa without the slighest regard to the feelings of the inhabitants; still, they were all undoubtedly glad that a settlement had been arrived at, and that the difficulties had been overcome. The speaker then called attention to some of the great matters which had been settled between powerful nations, by means of Arbitration. The disputes between England and Portugal had been definitely and amicably settled, except the question of Delagoa Bay, which, however would be referred to Arbitration, and a matter worthy of notice was that in the Anglo-Portuguese agreement was a clause providing that all matters of difference that may arise should be referred to Arbitration. Some time ago a great deal of uneasiness was felt in consequence of the disagreements between their Government and the United States of America, but honourable Arbitration in this matter again ended the difficulties. It was very encouraging to find that Germay, Italy, and England had joined together with the object of referring all disputes that might arise in East Africa to Arbitration. This sentiment was gaining a greater hold upon the confidence and affection of different nations. Sometimes, however, a serious strain was laid upon the principle, but it always comes out triumphant from the

struggle. He felt sure that the English people were profoundly thankful that the difficulties which had arisen with regard to the Alabama question were safely passed, although it The Americans, however, had sorely tried their patience. been very loyal in discharging their debts towards their mother country. He strongly advocated the establishment of a court of appeal between the nations of Europe and the United States, which would, he believed, remove the danger of horrible wars to a very much further distance.

Weak nations had a very warm appreciation of this principle, and it was very reasonable; and the establishment of such a court would make them feel that they were under its sheltering care. Republican Governments again had a very great love for the principles of Arbitration, and great people who were possessed of great power always preferred a peaceable, rational, and moral way of settling their disputes rather than through the medium of war. In speaking to that assembly, he thought that the time had now arrived when they should be most earnest and clear in laying down the principle upon which Arbitration should rest-which would be for the advantage, material as well as moral and spiritual, of all nations. He should like it to rest upon the brotherhood of nations, and it would then bear any pressure, or stress, that might be applied, under any circumstances. It was the eternal principle of right they wanted, and it was an unselfish feeling of brotherhood to which they wanted to make an appeal. The teaching of their Master illustrated that brotherhood, and His incarnation was the sanctification and uplifting of humanity. There was a brightness and a glory in the conception of brotherhood, and there was a warmth and neighbourliness in it, in which all delighted to nestle and rest. It was free from narrowness and prejudice, and possessed a vitalising power which quickened and aroused all that was noble in war. They must ask for and appeal to the best in men, and it was for them, as Christian men, to try to do so.

MR.WALTER HAZELL, Treasurer of the Peace Society, seconded the Resolution, and said that one of the difficulties the advocates of Peace had to deal with was that in times of peace there remained the idea that war was so far off that there was no need to give any attention to it. He pointed out the opportunities teachers of the young and preachers of the Gospel had, of inculcating the ideas and advantages of international Arbitration, and besought their support.

At this stage the REV. DR. HANNAY stepped forward and said he had just received an interesting document. It was an overture from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. It was certainly a novelty in ecclesiastical procedure that an overture should come from an assembly of the Presbyterian Church to a body constituted as was the Congregational Union. But he hoped there was in it an indication that it may be possible, ere long, for leading representative bodies of the Christian denominations of the world to go into correspondence about matters of this kind and others which have presented themselves to the Christian people of the world and were calling for early settlement. The Presbyterian Church of America had proposed to address members of the Governments of the Christian nations of the world in favour of referring to Arbitration all matters of dispute, and it asked them, as representing the Congregational Churches, to unite with them in this proceeding. He therefore proposed that the following be added to the motion :

"The assembly receives with satisfaction the overture addressed to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, on the question of memoralising the several Governments of Christian nations of the world in favour of a resort to Arbitration for the settlement of international disputes."

MR. W. EVANS DARBY (Secretary of the Peace Society) seconded, and asked Christians to realise the great hindrance the militaryism of the present day is to the work of our churches. They were spending £1 in connection with the Kingdom of Christ where they were spending £40 in playing at soldiering. Militarism was sucking the life of the nation, and this militarism was at the same time one of the greatest hindrances to the progress of Christianity throughout the world. The nations outside Christendom, to whom were sent missionaries with the

Gospel of Peace, looked on these constant preparations in which we are engaged, and said they would have nothing to do with a religion so inconsistent. Those present believed in a pure Christianity, and so he was sure this movement for arbitration would claim their sympathies, and receive their constant support.

The REV. FLEMING WILLIAMS (London) said if the English speaking people of the world were united on the necessity for arbitration, the day of war would speedily be a thing of the past. He thought they might go farther than the adoption of arbitration for war, by trying to persuade those under their influence to adopt arbitration as a means of settling trade disputes. At this moment they had costly strikes and lock-outs which might be terminated to-morrow if only the people would accept arbitration. Why should they not seek that? It would meau a great deal more than they could possibly dream, and might train the men at last to take part in industrial cooperation, and so arbitration, as applied to business, would be an instrument of culture to the men, and at last fit them for the part they would have to take. He asked for the earnest help of employers in the matter, and said that, depend on it, the only quiet, peaceable, and happy instrument by which they could secure industrial elevation was the principle of arbitration.

The motion, as amended, was unanimously agreed to.

PROSELYTISING ZEAL OF THE MORMONS. The professors of pacific and other evangelical principles may, perhaps, derive some stimulus to perseverance and zeal, in the promotion of the good cause, by observing the devotedness of the American Mormons in the work of proselytism and persuasion.

The features characterising Mormon missions may be summed up in the statement that from the beginning their leaders have affected to follow, to the very letter, all New Testament precepts and precedents, and, in particular, such as are found in our Lord's instructions to the Twelve and the Seventy. It is in this spiritual obedience that their church has always maintained a "quorum" of the twelve apostles, and also an everincreasing number of seventies, constituting an order in the priesthood, and from which missionaries are commonly selected. The idea was reached by the Mormons at an early day that no saint lived for himself, that "the kingdom" had the first and supreme claim, that salvation was largely for the sake of service, and that all personal or family considerations must be kept in strict subordination. Every adherent is to hold himself subject to call from the church authorities, and must go wherever sent. To refuse is to lose caste and to make one's self an object of suspicion. And thousands have held themselves as passive in the hands of their leaders as ever did any member of the Society of Jesuits. The first fashion was to call for volunteers, but little by little a system of drafting was substituted. The number desired is apportioned out among the several communities, the selection is made by the local authorities, and the names are sent on to the chiefs. If satisfactory, these are read off at general conference, and "sustained" by popular vote. "Without purse or scrip" has ever been the great commandment. Each one goes at his own charges, and no matter how great the damage to business may be. To pay salaries would be to wickedly imitate the ways of the other churches with their "hireling clergy." Let the elder get to his field as best he can. The first seven that crossed the ocean landed at Liverpool without a farthing. Of course they depended wholly for food and shelter upon the people among whom they laboured, and in early times great hardships were often endured. Then, seldom does a saint take a mission alone, but at least two travel and toil together.

Mindful of the same injunction not to rest with being merely "harmless as doves," the Mormon elders have never knowingly cast pearls before swine, or offered the strong meat of the Gospel to toothless babes. On the contrary, they have always, and most carefully, suppressed unpalatable, though fundamental, matters of faith and practice. Thus was it with polygamy, for more than ten years after others had practically accepted it. On one occasion the prophet sent out 380 elders to testify far

and wide that such a thing had never been heard of in the church. No Jesuit, in his best estate, was ever ready to le more shamelessly for the advantage of his order. As an alleged further following of the New Testament, learning has never been held in high esteem as a needed part of preparation for heralding the Mormon gospel. The great business was to "give testimony" to the truth. This, in the form of bold, positive assertions, was all-sufficient, though proof texts are handled in a fashion fearful and wonderful. The elders are not chosen because of any intellectual gifts. Most are unlettered, and many are also youthful. But let it not, therefore, be imagined that they are suffered to depart unprovided with weapons, both defensive and offensive, or untrained in their use. Every boy is a potential missionary, and is regarded as such in the Sunday School and in the various quorums of the priesthood through which he passes. Presently he has by heart the tenets of the church, the choice texts and arguments for and against, and he is called to use them frequently in public in the presence of his friends. His piece is not lengthy, he learns it perfectly and can produce it with vigour on short notice.

Strangest feature of all, and certainly a wide departure from even the letter of the Gospel, piety is not deemed essential for Mormon missionaries, the moral character of the messenger is not much taken into account. So there is no sort of scruple about appointing those whose graces are far below the average. They are called and sent to give them a chance to see the world and to test their courage and skill facing the foe, to deliver them from evil associations and habits, and even to punish them for transgression against church rule. One saint, a saloon keeper, was "sustained" to go forth and tell of Joseph and the Book, but before the police were advised of the fact, he had been arrested for selling liquor on Sunday.

It was a favourite practice with Brigham Young to take revenge upon any who were proud or stubborn, or in any way troublesome, to break their fortunes and place them where they could do no harm, by sending them to distant and desolate regions. That is, to remain until penitent, at least until called home; for the travelling elders never go forth for life, but only for a single campaign of a few months, or years. And it is worth noting that if this system of limited terms of service, coupled with constant change of men, results in defective work, through the crudeness and inexperience of the toilers, the great advantage ensues, as an offset, that the labour of spreading the kingdom is distributed amongst a much larger number, who receive the benefit of exercise and experience, and are commonly bound closer to their faith, while deep interest in missions is easily maintained at home. Every community contains several who have been abroad; one or more have recently taken their departure and presently will return to tell the thrilling story of their adventures.

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The Mormon elder is expected not only to baptize, but also to bring home his trophies. It was found, soon after the Great Basin was reached, that Europe was so remote, and the difficulties so appalling, of a journey from thence, that something potent in the way of impulse must be supplied, or else the valleys of the mountains" would never become the abode of the saints. And so the Perpetual Emigration Fund Society was contrived, which ever since 1849 has loaned or given pecuniary assistance to tens of thousands of the indigent. Companies of emigrants have been organised and led through all the long and perilous journey by those who had influence and knew the way. Vessels were chartered, and in later years emigrant trains upon the railroads, and so the cheapest possible rates were secured, Fifty dollars would pay the passage from Liverpool to Council Bluffs. And then both the spiritual and the carnal were appealed to, to stimulate the faithful to transfer themselves to Utah. They were to press on at once, not only for heaven, but also for Salt Lake, as a very important station on the road. And success for a season was well-nigh overwhelming. So many would flock to Zion that the utmost of available ways and means proved insufficient. And then it was that Brigham, in the plentitude of his wisdom, hit upon his famous "hand-cart scheme," and announced it as of origin celestial. The saints were to dispense with waggons and almost all wordly goods, and to trudge the entire 1,000 miles from the Missouri, male and female, old and young, and, moreover, each o fue push before