Her maiden attire was rent into shapelessness; her brow was bruised and swollen; her abundant hair, almost preternaturally black, streamed wildly over her bosom, revealing, in its interstices, fresh waving streaks of crimson, which confirmed the tale of ultra-barbarian outrage. Her cheek had borrowed the same fatal hue from the neck of her slaughtered parent, to whom, in her insensibility, she clung with love strong as death. Through the means adopted, she gave token of revival. Her hand had retained a small gold cross, and she raised it to her lips. The closed lids were slowly expanded from her large dark eyes; a low, agonizing moan followed. I hastened to present the wine. In the act, the mantilla fell from the arm which conveyed the glass; appallingly she shrieked-became convulsed-passed from fit to fitexpired!" DR. ALLEN claims for this letter, as he did for the first, a place in the Advocate; but we doubt whether justice or courtesy would would require us to comply with such a demand made in such a way. He has furnished us with no copy of either letter, nor even shown us the common respect of sending a private note to request their insertion; but merely published them in a newspaper, and then left us to hunt them up as we could. We did so with the first, but found so much difficulty, that we do not feel much inclined to take the same trouble for the second. Indeed, we hardly feel at liberty to tax our readers with some fifteen or twenty pages of personal replies, and special pleadings that have little, if any thing, to do with the point at issue. We wish to ascertain whether the gospel sanctions or condemns war; and on this point Dr. Allen's last letter contains no argument, or important thought, not found in the first. We are quite sure that Dr. Allen will not complain of this course. He has had every advantage he could desire. He made his appeal to popular prejudices in such a way, that it was impossible to meet the poison with a timely antidote; and the religious press betrayed its temper on the general subject by allowing Mr. Ladd only three or four columns to answer more than ten. Such restriction obliged him to say so little on the main point, that we shall at our leisure resume it, but not in the way of reply to this or any other attack. Our readers will remember the motive of Dr. Allen's attack upon our Society-our preservation from utter ruin by the obnoxious clause in our Constitution; and he will doubtless rejoice to learn, that the Society, so far from being ruined, has, either in consequence or in spite of that clause, gained more the past year than during its first seven years of freedom from what he condemns. 2. Annual Sermon before the Legislature of Massachusetts, Jan. 3, 1838. By Rev. RICHARD S. STORRS, D. D. This eloquent discourse deserved, but could not receive an earlier notice on our pages; nor can we now do more than give a few brief extracts: "Equally cogent are the claims of the citizen on the government, for the preservation of peace with other nations. The precept of divine benevolence, 'if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men,' is not more obligatory on the private individual than upon the ruler; for the expenditures of treasure, life, and moral virtue, involved in wars of ambition, conquest or revenge, are hardly more compatible with the genius of Christianity, than with the immediate interest of the state; and the day when the noise of the battle and the warrior shall cease, is not more the delightful theme of prophetic annunciation, than the object of hope and fervent desire to every friend of rational liberty. And while government refrains from too lofty pretensions, and from all injurious claims on foreign powers, and perseveres in holding high and honorable intercourse with them, based on the principles of truth and equity, an appeal to arms will rarely, perhaps never, be found necessary, and differences, when they arise, will be promptly adjusted by amicable negociation. If war, as it is sometimes said, be the safety-valve of a nation, letting off the redundant mass of turbulent passion,-or, if it be a necessary evil, like the volcano, giving vent to earth's internal fires, and heaving forth upon its surface the fountains of burning lava, that otherwise would convulse the world,-still it must be confessed, that it pours forth, in all directions, streams of unmingled bitterness and wo, withering the hopes of families-annihilating the accumulated resources of ages-prematurely transferring thousands of immortals from scenes of privilege and hope, to the retributions of eternity. And is this a nation's safety-valve? What, then, I ask, is a nation's destruction? Is man's depravity so deep, so dark, so furious too, that nothing can prevent its overflow to the world's ruin, except a license to 'kill, plunder and destroy' his fellow-men at his pleasure? And is this the strong argument that justifies the wholesale butchery of unoffending individuals, and the thousands of exterminating wars that stain the broad page of man's history? Far better aim at the wider diffusion and the firmer establishment of those principles of peace and fraternal love, which strongly mark the gospel of Christ. Give to a nation the spirit that breathes 'peace on earth and good-will to men,' throw abroad that all-penetrating moral influence which flows from the respect of rulers for the institutions of religion, and discountenance infidelity, both in high places and low, with the whole train of its legitimate offspring,-ungoverned passion, reckless vice, and heaven-daring crime,—and we have se curity enough against all the evils for which war is the sovereign remedy. Let the gospel triumph, and the scourge of legalized murder will be no longer necessary to keep the world in order."-pp. 13-15. War is not necessary even now to keep Christendom in order; and civilized nations might, if they chose, discard it as safely as New England has the kindred practice of duelling. We deem it at best merely a rhetorical license to speak about the necessity of war; for there is in truth no more necessity for it than there is for intemperance, slavery or piracy. "The powers of government obviously have limitations. There is a point beyond which man cannot go, in the exercise of authority over his fellow-man,-a point where God stands, and says to the proud waves of ambition, 'Hitherto shall ye come, but no further." Beyond this, all authority is usurpation-resistance to its claims becomes lawful and imperative."—p. 9. We do not deny the right of resistance in some way; but by what means shall we resist? Does God any where direct or authorize us to use force unto death in resisting encroachments upon our rights? May we thus resist "the powers that be?" "In a government like ours, dependent under God on the sovereign will of the people, it may be a fair question, whether even the enactment of unjust laws will justify opposition unto blood? The eternal principles of justice are indeed to be maintained; but how?-by the sword, or by an appeal to public conscience?-by open and revengeful rebellion, or by dispassionate argument, and the whole array of moral influences within the reach of an intelligent people? If I mistake not, the language of the persecuted David is in keeping with the spirit of Christianity and patriotism, The Lord forbid that I should do any thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed-to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.'"-p. 30. · Deferred articles.-We are obliged to defer several communications, particularly letters from London, D. L. Dodge, &c. Patrons. This is the best time for effort in procuring new subscribers; and their names should be sent without delay to our Depository. If any person receives this No. who does not wish to take the work, he is requested to return it immediately. A good example.-We have just received $5 from a minister who was unwilling to receive what he calls our "valuable periodical" without some other compensation than preaching on the subject of peace once a year. Two friends to whom he had lent the Advocate-a good practice-gave $1 10; and the rest he "became able with some effort to spare himself." Cannot a multitude of ministers raise each $5, $10 or $20 for us by similar efforts among their people? Delay of the Advocate-necessary this month, because it could not be issued before our annual meeting. We hope it will hereafter reach our patrons by the first of the month. A monthly publication of about 300 pages a year, and the organ of the American Peace Society, is devoted to discussions, notices, and intelligence relative to the cause of peace, and the application of Christianity to the intercourse of nations. Terme. One dollar in advance, with an increase of 50 cts., if not paid before the close of the year. Six copies for $5; twenty for $15; thirty for $21; fifty for $30; one hundred for $50. Subscribers may commence with any number. No subscription received for less than a year, or discontinued till arrearages are paid, except at our discretion. Any person sending us two new subscribers with pay for one year, shall receive a copy gratis for one year. RECOMMENDATIONS. The ablest writers are expected to contribute to the work, and no pains will be spared to render it useful and interesting to all classes, and worthy of such recommendations as the following: "An interesting periodical ;-containing much important matter which is well adapted to interest, &c." Chr. Register. "It deserves, and, sustaining its present elevated character, will find an extended circulation." Boston Recorder. "It is a work conducted, in our judgment, with more ability than any thing of the kind we have ever seen. Our acquaintance with its present editor, and some of the expected contributors to its pages, confirms our confidence that it will be a sound, useful and interesting work." Signed by WILLIAM JENKS, D..D., Boston, Hon. SIDNEY WILLARD, Cambridge, Mass., and thirteen others. CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY. Object-to illustrate the inconsistency of war with Christianity, to show its baleful influence on all the great interests of mankind, and to devise means for insuring universal and permanent peace.-Condition of membership. Persons of every denomination, whatever their views concerning wars called defensive, may become members by paying $2 a year, Life-members by $20, and Life-directors by $50. Ministers preaching and taking up a collection for the Society, entitled to the Advocate. One half of all contributions returned, if requested during the year, in peace publications. SUGGESTIONS IN FORMING AUXILIARIES. 1. That their object be to promote the cause by cooperating with the Parent Society. No other pledge recommended. 2. That every memher pay something, receiving, if sufficient, the Advocate, but, if not, one half in other peacepublications. 3. That the officers he few, and the main reliance placed on a small Executive Committee, with power to fill all vacancies. Time and place of annual meeting left with them. Communications, post paid, to GEO. C. BECKWITH, Cor. Secretary, and JAMES K WHIFPLE, Treasurer, in either case, to the care of Whipple & Damrell, No. 9 Cornhill, Boston. Boston, WHIPPLE & DAMRELL. AGENTS. New York, EzRA COLLIER, 144 Nassau St. Philadelphia, N. KITE, 50 North Fourth St. PEACE PUBLICATIONS, FOR SALE AT THE SOCIETY'S GENERAL DEPOSITORY, NO. 9 CORNHILL. DYMOND ON WAR, 8vo. pamphlet form. do. 12mo., bound, with Grimke's Notes, DISSERTATION ON A CONGRESS OF NATIONS, 12mo. UPHAM'S MANUAL OF PEACE, 8vo. STONE'S SERMONS ON WAR, 18mo. OBSTACLES AND OBJECTIONS TO THE CAUSE OF PEACE. By a Layman. JUVENILE STORIES ON PEACE. GRIMKE'S ADDRESS BEFORE THE CONN. PEACE SOCIETY. HICKOK's do. do. do. PUBLICATIONS OF THE LONDON PEACE SOCIETY. HANCOCK ON PEACE SOLEMN REVIEW. By Dr. WORCESTER, 8vo. pp. 21. SOLEMN APPEAL By WM. LADD. 8vo. pp. 40. CAUSE OF PEACE, 12mo. pp. 18. SKETCH OF WAR, 12mo. pp. 12. WAR AND THE BIBLE 12mo. pp 4. TESTIMONIES AGAINST WAR, 12mo. pp. 12. |