TO THE FRIENDS OF PEACE

The publication of the American Peace Society is here presented to' you in an improved form. More time and effort and expense are devoted to make it worthy the cause you love. It is hoped too, that it will induce each one to make some earnest effort to extend its circulation. To give success to the cause, the information needs to be spread. Let each one add a subscriber to the list, and the strength of the cause will be more than doubled. It will be an inducement to our helpers to be efficient, to know that the whole labor of editing and publishing this work, is performed without compensation.

The terms of the Calumet are low. To ministers of every deno-' mination, who will promote its circulation, and preach one sermon a' year on the subject, the Calumet will be sent for half price, and if he sends in two subscribers, he will receive it without charge.

The work is published once in two months, under the direction of the American Peace Society at one dollar a year. A person subscribing for 5 copies will have a sixth gratis. Peace Societies taking 24 copies or over, will be entitled to 33 1-2 per cent discount, under 24, to 25 per cent.

All Ministers, and Post-Masters are requested to act as agents, and all who do, will be entitled to a copy.

Orders for the Calumet sent to L. D. Dewey, 17 Ann Street.

The previous numbers of the Harbinger, the Essays of Philanthropos, 1st and 2d series, Stone's Sermons on WAR, and The Sword, or Christmas Presents, a book for children and Sunday Schools, can be' obtained at theoffice No. 17 Ann street, of the Secretary,

L. D. DEWEY. ALSO.-Books and Stationary. A lot of superior Ledgers and Account Books.

PREMIUMS OFFERED.

Through the liberality of two individuals, "The American Peace Society" are permitted to increase the premium, offered, to FIVE HUNDRED Dollars, for the best and ONE HUNDRED for the second best Dissertation on the subject of "a CONGRESS OF NATIONS for the amicable adjustment of national disputes and for the promotion of universal peace without recourse to arms," to be sent free of expense, on or before the first day of April next, to D. E. Wheeler Esq. 33 Nassaustreet, New-York, accompanied with a sealed paper, containing the name of the author, and superscribed with the signature or motto, upon the Dissertation. L. D. DEWEY, Rec. Sec'y.

N. B. The judges of the dissertations will be among the first jurists and civilians of our country.

She bits of Mrs Mifs blarke of Venten

THE CALUMET.

VOL. I.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1831.

NO. 3.

FOR THE CALUMET.

The friends of Peace claim that their profferred aid is essential in the grand work of benevolence going on at the present day. For they assume it as an indubitable truth, that war has done and is now doing, more to retard the progress of Christianity, than any other, my, perhaps, all other obstacles combined. It is the foulest blot on the Christian name. In judging of the truth and propriety of any doctrine, whether in science, morals, or religion, men are governed more by the effects produced when bought to the test of experiment, than by its apparent beauty or consistency. The spirit of the prevalent philosophy, and nature itself, teach us to withhold our credence from all theory, unless experience proves its truth and utility. The idolatrous Pagan, wher he hears Jesus preached, very naturally compares the heavenly doctrine with its effects on the people who acknowledge the justice of its claims and profess to be governel by its dictates. The divine religion speaks to his understanding, and touches his bart, yet he requires further proofs in good actually resulting to those nations which have long enjoyed its healthful influence. Friends, tell us honestly, what opinion of our religion, do you suppose would be formed by a heathen man, after such a careful enquiry? Where, I ask, in the intercourse between nations, of christian with christian or christian with Pagan, would he find any thing of that love, that forbearance, that strict justice, and tender mercy which the gospel enjoins? Alas no where! War, with its ministers, deceit, treachery, perfidy, and cruelty, fills up the stage of action which should have been trodden by peace, with her attendants, truth, equity, and good faith. He sees a religion, which breathes only "Pezee on earth, and good will to men," made the pretext for the most bloody wars and the most horrid crimes, that ever disgraced reasonable beings. And what can he do, judging from its effects, on Society in

gross, but reject this religion as fallacious and ¡„dically erroneous? Unquestionably, many a poor Hindoo has concluded thus, when he has heard Jesus preached, and at the saure instant, the thunders of Artillery pointed against his countrymen by Chrisfans. The heart, melted by divine truth has suddenly again become hard, through the petrifying influence of Christian conduct and Christian example. The mind, well nigh convinced by the cloquence of a Martyn, resumed all its scepticism when it thought on the cruelty of a Hastings. The iron of superstition enters again into the soul and darkAss, eternal darkness, closes the scene?

Let it not be inferred from these remarks that the friends of Peace are opposed to missions. We do verily believe and we are happy to avow our belief, that the missionary operations of the present day are the most distinguished onicn of the approaching g of the Prince of Peace. We hail with gladness this harbinger of the Sun of iousness. The devoted missionary of the cross, we bid “God Speed! Your errand ble-your tidings glad. Gio, and proclaim in the habitations of cruelty, the love FOL. 1.-5

of God to a revolted world, tell the wretched devotee, ere he stretch himself under the wheels of Juggernaut that with such sacrifices God is not well pleased, tell the poor widow, ere she ascend her husband's funeral pile, that no sweet savour ascends to Heaven from such an offering. Speak out, and act out the mildness, and gentleness and meekness of Christianity. Withal, let your earliest instructions and your whole teaching, be strongly imbued with the spirit of peace." To those associations which have for their object to christianize the world, we present the right hand of fellowship. Our principles, if carried into only partial operation will open a path for the bible to the remotest corners of the earth-will smooth the way to the hearts of myriads of benighted Pagans. Henceforth let our efforts be in unison. While you dispense the word and the knowledge of the true God by the hand of missionaries to heathen lands, we will do what in us lies, to raise higher, the standard of religion at home. Our wish is, that a light may emanate from the christian church to guide them to the home and heart of every idolater. We wish the superiority of the Christian religion to be shown clearly and manifestly in that spirit of benevolence and kindness, and sincerity, which is interwoven so closely in its texture. If wars must still exist, we will raise a ery against them which shall reach every hut, every cottage and every palace beyond the seas.— And it shall be known to every sceptic who denies the efficacy of the gospel, that there are those in christian lands, who openly denounce the prevalent castom of war. We will earnestly labor to arouse the church to a more consistent attitude. We will teach that before peace, the peace of the millennium—ean reign over the carth, it must be preached and practised in the church--we will seek audience with those who fill, and those who surround thrones-and more than all, our unceasing prayer shall ascend to Almighty God for his blessing on your labors and ours, and for His Spirit to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come.

Let no one say that the friends of peace, when they are particularly engaged in this good cause, are unfriendly to other charities, and are not actuated in any degree by the Spirit of the Gospel. Let no one say that the promulgation of pacific principles is not a part of the system of means which is to usher in the millennium. The gospel is peace. It is designed to promote the best good of man. It would fain restore Paradise to our earth, and bring back the descendants of an apostate father, to its happiness and its purity. Let the principles of Peace Societies be examined. They are predicated on the gospel. Let them be fairly understood. They are worthy of their Divine origin. Let them be embraced. They are calculated to increase inumeasurably, the happiness of mankind. W. H..

THE FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE PEACE SOCIETY OF

WINDHAM COUNTY, CON.

Many perhaps are expecting that our Report to-day, will be uttered in a tone of apprehension if not of discouragement. But we see, in the review of the last year, no cause thus to speak. It is true wars have broken out among some of the nations of the carth, that would be called christians, and rumors of other wars have often laden the ir. The north of Europe especially, has become the theatre of mortal conflict. And

elsewhere, on that continent, great masses of society have, ever and anon, seemed to be upheaving to a fearful explosion. But still we have perceived distinctly, in the midst of all these angry appearances, many indications auspicious to the cause of Peace.

Here, let it be remarked, the friends of this cause have never supposed that the changes, which we desire, were to We have never be effected at once. expected that it would be practicable to suspend, forthwith, the operation of