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Mr. Scargill on American Peace Society.

a packet from Boston, containing has devoted six months to careful and some pamphlets on the subject, and a almost incessant inquiries in relation letter from the Rev. W. E. Channing. to the dreadful custoin, its origin and (A copy of which I herewith transmit popularity among Christians, its to you.) The pamphlets, five in causes, principles and means of sup number, consist of "A Solemn Re- port; its tremendous havoc and mise view of the Custom of War," a ries, its opposition to Christianity, its work which has been already reprint- moral influence on nations and indied in this country. Numbers 1, 2, viduals, and the means by which it and 3, of a work published quarterly, may be abolished. The more he has called, "The Friend of Peace." And exainined the more he has been astoNumber 34, of a periodical publica nished that a custom so horrible has tion, called, "The Christian Dis- been so long popular among Chrisciple." There also accompanied these tians. For he has been more and pamphlets a printed statement of more convinced, that it is in its naThe Constitution of the Massachu- ture perfectly hostile to the principles, setts Peace Society." (A written copy the precepts and the spirit of the of which I also send you.) Number 1, Christian religion. He is also confiof "The Friend of Peace," contain- dent that such light may be offered ing 42 pages, consists of "A Special on the subject as will bring reflecting Interview between the President of Christians of every sect to this alterthe United States and Omar, an Offi- native,-either to renounce Christiçer dismissed for Duelling." "Six anity as a vile imposture inconsistent Letters from Omar to the President, with the best interests of mankind, with a View of the Power assumed by or to renounce the custom of war Rulers over the Laws of God and the as indefensible and anti-Christian." Lives of Men in making, War, and From "The Christian Disciple," I Omar's Solitary Reflections. The transcribe "Facts relating to the Maswhole reported by Philo Pacificus, sachusetts Peace Society."" In conAuthor of a Solemn Review, &c." sequence of an arrangement made by Number 2, contains " A Review of four individuals, who are now mem the Arguments of Lord Kaimes in bers of the Massachusetts Peace SoFavour of War." Number 3, "The ciety, a meeting of seventeen perHorrors of Napoleon's Campaign in sons took place in Boston on the Russia." This article is formed of eighteenth of December last, to con extracts from Porter and Labaume; sult on the subject of forming a with some remarks by the Editor: it Peace Society. It was the wish of is followed by "An Estimate of Hu- the projectors of the plan to form a man Sacrifices in the Russian Cam- society on such principles as would paign." A Paper, "On Estimating embrace the real friends of society, the Characters of Men who have been without any regard to difference of concerned in Sanguinary Customs." opinion on other subjects whether "A Solemn Appeal to the Con- religious or political. But it was not sciences of Professed Christians." And known how extensively the senti "A memorable and affecting Con- ments in favour of such a society had trast between the peaceable Con- been embraced, and of course but a duct of William Penn, and the oppo- few persons were requested to attend. site Behaviour of some other Set- At the first meeting a committee was tlers." In each of these, is much that chosen to form a constitution, and the is truly valuable and interesting: and meeting was adjourned to the twentyI do hope that some steps may be eighth of the same month to be held taken for reprinting and circulating in Chauncey place, immediately after. them in this country. In America, the Thursday Lecture; at which time the "Solemn Review" has gone the committee reported a constitution. through three large editions in differ- This was read, discussed, adopted, and ent states. One in Connecticut, one subscribed by a considerable number in New York, and another in Phila- of persons. The choice of officers delphia-the latter amounting to was postponed to January 11, 1816, twelve thousand copies, for gratuitous in the hope that the number of subdistribution. From Number 1, of scribers would be increased. The "The Friend of Peace," I quote the number of subscribers has indeed been Author's own words. "The writer increasing, and some of the officers.

Mr. Scargill on American Peace Society.

have been chosen, but the list is not completed. We shall therefore defer giving the names of the officers to a future number. But we have the pleasure of stating that in the list of subscribers may be seen the names of the governor of Massachusetts, the chief justice of the supreme court, the president and several of the professors of Harvard University, twenty ministers of the gospel and a considerable number of respectable laymen." I have not now time nor room for further extracts from these very interesting publications, and I sincerely regret that I have it not in my power to give greater publicity to them by reprinting: should, however, any persons feel disposed to give their assistance towards the object, I shall be happy to hear from them, and to devote my attention to superintending the press.

Your's very respectfully,

W. PITT SCARGILL.

SIR, Boston, Feb. 12, 1816. Your letter dated June 1, 1815, which you did me the honour to address to me, was received some time ago, together with the pamphlet which you had publish ed on the subject of War. I have deferred writing you, in the hope that I should be able to communicate to you some gratifying information in regard to the diffusion of pacific principles in this country. Before your letter reached me, the subject of War had begun to draw the attention of Christians. Some interesting pamphlets had been extensively eirculated for the purpose of awakening public sensibility to the guilt and calanities of that barbarous enstom; and a proposition had been distinctly made that "Peace Societies" should be established to give uniformity and energy to the exertions of the friends of peace. The prospect which your letter afforded of the formation of similar institutions in Europe, gave new animation to the author of these pamphlets, and to those who adopted his views; and the subject of a "Peace Society” continued to be agitated, mofil in the course of last month the desirable object was effected. Several gentlemen of Boston and its vicinity assembled to consider the expediency of combining their efforts for the diffusion of pacific sentiments. A degree of zeal, which the best friends of the cause had not anticipated, was expressed, and the society was formed and organized. I enclose you the constitution, and several pamphlets which have Been distributed on the subject, together VOL. XI.

2x

338

with a number of the "Christian Disciple," a work devoted to peace. These publications are chiefly from the pen of the Rev. Noah Worcester, a gentleman of great respectabity of character and distinguished by his benignant, amiable and philanthropic spirit. He is, as you will the Peace Society, and will be happy to perceive, the corresponding Secretary of open a correspondence with you or with any gentleman or societies who have espoused the cause of peace.

In this country many of us have a strong confidence that a favourable impression can be made on the public mind. We regard the abolition of the slave trade as a practical proof, that great and long established abuses may be resisted and extirpated by persevering and disinterested exertion; and whilst we feel that war has a strong and deep foundation in some of the principles of human nature, we believe when invigorated and directed by the light that there are other principles, which of the gospel, may and will avail to its gradual subversion. The incredulity of men as to the practicability of happy and important changes in the condition of society is certainly diminished. The idea of a more improved state of the world is no longer dismissed with a smile or a sneer as the dream of enthusiasm. It seems to be one of the characteristics of this age, that men cherish more generous hopes in regard to the human race. gard this as a most happy omen, and when combined with the predictions of revelation, and with the benevolent administration of God, it ought to awaken an unconquerable zeal in the friends of humamity.

Very respectfully,

I re

Your obedient Servant, W. E. CHANNING.

I. Pitt Scargill.

Constitution of the Massachusetts Peace
Society.

In forming a society, which it is hoped may have an extensive influence, we, the subscribers, ¿zem it proper to make a concise declaration of our motives and objects.

We Lave been strongly impressed, by considering the manifold crimes and tremeadons calamities of public war, and the melancholy insensibility which has been induced by education and habit, în regard to this most barbarous, destructive, and unchristian custom. Our ernest wish is, that men may be brought to view war in a just light, to see clearly its baleful inffence on the political, moral, and religious condition of communities, and it opposition to the design and spirit of the gospel. Most earnestly do we desire that men may be brought to feel that a spirit

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334

Mr. Scargill on American Peace Society.

of conquest is among the most atrocious of crimes; that the thirst for military glory is inhuman, and ruinous; and that the true dignity and happiness of a people result from impartial justice towards all nations, and the spirit and virtues of peace. Varions facts and considerations have conspired in exciting a hope, that a change may be effected in public sentiment, and a more happy state of society introduced. It is evidently the design and tendency of the gospel, to subdue the lusts and passions from which wars and fightings originate; and encouragement is given that a time will come when the nations will learn war We believe that a great majority of the people in every civilized country, when free from the delusions of party passions and prejudices, have such an aversion to public hostilities, that they would rejoice if any plan could be devised which would both secure their rights and absolve them from the burdens and sufferings of A late treaty of peace has suggested the practicability of such a plan, and given us an admirable lesson on the subject.

no more.

war.

We now see, that when two governments are inclined to peace, they can make some friendly power the umpire and last resort, for settling points of controversy. For this ray of pacific light we are grateful, and we hope that it will be like "the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." This hope is strengthened by reflecting on the animating fact, that the horrid custom of private wars, which for ages desolated Europe, was fiually abolished by a similar project.

Besides, it is clear that every popular custom must depend on public opinion; and we also know, from history, that many customs and usages, which were formerly considered as honourable, useful and even necessary, have since been abolished as inhuman and barbarous, and are now regarded with detestation and horror.

To the list of encouraging facts we may add, that by their late dreadful sufferings, the attention of the European nations is unusually excited to the guilt and miseries of war; and with joy we have learned that Peace Societies have been proposed, if not already established, on the other side of the Atlantic. These things not only encourage our hearts and strengthen our hands, but preclude the objection which might arise, that it is dangerous to cultivate the spirit of peace in one nation, whilst others retain the spirit of war. A co-operation in different countries is joyfully anticipated in this great work of promoting peace on earth and goodwill among men.

But above all other sources of encouragement, we contemplate the benevolent character of our heavenly Father, as displayed

in the gospel of his beloved Son. We there behold him as "the God of peace, and we have a cheering hope that he will own and prosper a society of peace-makers.

It is well known that a diversity of sentiment has existed among Christians on the question, whether war be not in all cases prohibited by the gospel. But we intend that this society shall be established on principles so broad, as to embrace the friends of peace who differ on this as well as on other subjects. We wish to promote the cause of peace by methods which all Christians must approve-by exhibiting

with all clearness and distinctness the pacific nature of the gospel, and by turning the attention of the community to the nature, spirit, causes and effects of war. We hope that by the concurrence of the friends of peace in all nations, and by the gradual illumination of the Christian world, a pacific spirit may be communįcated to governments, and that, in this way, the occasions of war, and the belief of its necessity, will be constantly diminishing, till it shall be regarded by all Christians with the same horror with which we now look back on the exploded and barbarous customs of former ages.

On these principles and with these hopes we adopt the following

ARTICLES.

I. The name of this society shall be The Massachusetts Pence Society.

II. The government of this society shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, and six trustees, who shall be annually chosen, three of whom shall constitute a quorum.

III. The funds of the society shall be under the direction of the trustees, to be employed for the diffusion of light on the subject of war, and in cultivating the principles and spirit of peace. The trustees shall have power to appoint an executive committee, and counsellers to advise with the corresponding secretary, and to make regulations for the dispatch of business. !

IV. Each subscriber of one dollar annually shall be a member.

V. Each subscriber of twenty-five dollars shall be a member for life.

VI. All donations to the society shall be recorded; and every donor of fifty dollars, or upwards, shall be an honorary member of the society and of the board of trustees.

VII. Each member of the society shall receive one half his annual subscription in such books or tracts as the trustees shall approve, and at the lowest prices of the society.

VIII. The annual meeting of the society shall be on the last Thursday in every year; at which time reports shall be made by the trustees and treasurer,

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Remarks on a Passage in the Obituary of Dr. Powell.

IX. This society will encourage the forming of similar societies in this country and in foreign countries, by the dispersion of tracts, by correspondence, and by other suitable means. They will encourage mutual aid and co-operation among all the friends of peace of every denomination.

X. Should any person become a member of this society whose residence is remote from Boston, it shall be regarded as honourable for him to encourage the establishment of a similar society in his own vicinity.

XI. No change in the objects of the society shall ever be made; but the articles niay be amended, and new articles may be added as occasion shall require; provided that no alteration be made except at the annual meeting, and by the consent of two thirds of the members who may then be present,

I SIR,

TH

June 8, 1816. HOUGH your Repository is not intended to contain much political discussion, yet there are some points so intimately connected with the wellbeing of mankind, that I think some of your pages may be very usefully occupied with the subject.

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would imagine, that this truth is too obvious to be overlooked and too impor tant to be neglected, and that if it was duly attended to by reformers as well as anti-reformers, it would suggest a salutary lesson of moderation to both. to restrain and check one class of It seems to be the plan of Providence crimes and delinquents by the counteraction of another. The Ovidian hemistich. ponderibus librata suis, is not more applicable to the system of the universe, and to the British constitu tion, than it is to the general frame of society, composed (as is the majority of it) of short-sighted, wilful and selfish human beings."

own coffers, than to promote the general benefit and good order of society.

Now I think, Sir, there cannot be a stronger argument for reform, than the fact, that "there are not in the world wise and virtuous people enough to keep the foolish and vicious in or der:" it shews how diligently we should strive to keep our constitution so adapted that the senate may contain the greatest possible number of wise and virtuous persons; and it appears. to me a "truth too obvious to be overlooked and too important to be I have been much pleased with neglected," that it is impossible such your correspondent, T. S.'s account of should be the case so long as seats in the late Dr. Powell; but there is one parliament are bought and sold like paragraph in the Obituary, p. 299, stalls in a fair, which must necessarily where, after speaking of Dr. P.'s love lead to a great deal of corruption, and of liberty and popular claims, he men have a tendency to fill the senate with tions some of his own political sentimen who are more anxious to fill their ments, on which I should be much gratified by his giving some farther explanation. Your correspondent says: I think the last twenty-five years "While at Edinburgh, Dr. P. was which have passed under our own eyes, the spectator of a very stormy scene have clearly shewn how very impoli of political contention, and if he was tie it is to neglect the people's voice not an actor in it, this arose from no till too late, when the whole fabric of want of zeal in favour of the party society may be destroyed in attempting which, in his opinion, comprehended to bring about a reform, which, if the friends of liberty and popular attended to as the times demanded," claims. Through life he retained the would have had a gradual and very same partiality, regulated, however, salutary operation. All history shews, and repressed by the good sense and and more particularly the last two sound judgment which he applied to years, how very unfit kings and their all subjects. Still it may be doubted, ministers are to have the management whether he was sufficiently aware of of affairs entirely at their disposal, witha fact, the belief of which must be out the beneficial influence of the peoimpressed on every calm and unpreple, expressed through a constitutional, judiced mind by even a superficial representation; which is, I believe, knowledge of history, and by a slight the best method that can be devised view of what, during the last five and of collecting together "wise and virtu twenty years, has passed under our ous people enough to keep the foolish own eyes. The fact alluded to is, that and vicious in order:" for I suppose there are not in the world wise and no person will contend, at this time of virtuous people enough, to keep the day, that courts or congresses are less foolish and vicious in order. One liable to be infected with vice and

336

Notices of Mr. Hopton Haynes.

foliy, or want less keeping in order, than other parts of society.

...

I agree with your correspondent, that the majority of society is comprised of short-sighted, wilful and selfish human beings;" but if he suppose that those qualities reside in general more amongst the governed than, those who govern, I certainly dissent from that opinion.

If T. S. will do me the favour to inform me how far I may have mistaken his sentiments, it will oblige

Your constant reader,
J.

Mrs. Sarah Toms's (Daughter of the
Rev. Samuel Say, of Westminster)
Account of Mr. Hopton Haynes, in
a Letter to her Son, Samuel Say
Toms, Framlingham.

not elsewhere. He has a living or livings at a considerable distance.

Some years since, visiting at a friend's house near to Mr. Haynes's present residence, I met the old gentleman, and entering into conversa tion, I mentioned that I had often heard my mother speak of a clergyman at Elmset of his name: he replied, "he was my father;" and of Mr. Hopton H. " yes, he was my grandfather;" and said, his writings were very differently thought of now from what they were at their first publication, and some years after. They are now in high repute with many as giving a just and rational interpretation of the scripture doctrine con-: cerning Jesus Christ. There were warm contenders on both sides of the question. It became every one to examine and think for himself and

MR. HAYNES was Assay Master speak and act from convicti religion

some were of opinion that
was a plain simple thing, and that it
was of more importance to insist on it
practically than to enter upon the
minutiae of controversy." He hath
taught thee, O man, what is good and
what," &c. "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God," &c,
The grace

in the Mint. He married his second wife out of the Joslin (Jos selyn) family (the first knight baronet. in England the title is now lost in a a higher). They lived in Queen's Square, Westminster, which lies be tween the Broadway and the Park. Mrs. Haynes attended upon Mr. Say, my father, as her minister, and in of God which bringeth salvation, hath consequence they visited at each other's appeared unto all men, teaching, &e houses. Mr. Haynes was of the Esta-On these things hang all the law and blished Church. He had a son, by a the prophets, and they think they best former wife, who was rector of Elmset preach Christ by laying the main (about four miles from Hadleigh in, stress on them. Suffolk). I often dined at Mr. Hopton Haynes's off turkeys, that were sent from him. He was living at Elmset when I came to reside at Hadleigh, about the year 1746.

Mr. Hopton Haynes thought that those who addressed any but God the Father were idolaters. Upon which my father asked him, how he could join in the established service, where it was so often done. His reply was, that he sat down to show his dislike. My father saying, "he thought that was not sufficient," Mr. Haynes never after attended any place of worship, and it gave my father much concern that he had hinted it to him. There. was no particular intimacy between them.

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Mr. H. is a very liberal minded is a bachelor. gentleman-leads a very retired life

SIR,

S. S. T.

Bromley, May 17, 1816.

LATELY found, among some which I remember to have received long forgotten papers, the enclosed soon after the date of the letter, from a friend who was well assured of its authenticity. The date must have been in 1792, when "about the 20th September the French General Montesquieu entered the territories of Savoy, A deputation from Chambery waited on him almost as soon as he passed the boundary, and on the 21st he proceeded with a detachment to take possession of that city."-(New Ann. Reg. XIII. 193.) Savoy was soon after annexed to France, under the name of the Depart ment of Mont Blanc. Of the Marquis of Bellegarde, I am not aware that I ever before met with any account.

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