"Peace on earth, and good will to men," was announced by the angels at the birth of Christ. He himself is called the "Prince of Peace." His religion is a religion of peace, and a blessing has been pronounced by him upon peace-makers. The apostles of Christ, in the New Testament, teach gentleness, peace, mildness, and forgive

ness.

It is prophesied in the Old Testament, that wars shall cease. "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders." From this we may suppose, that it is the will of God that wars shall be abolished.

If the New Testament precepts, "Love your enemies," "Render not evil for evil," and the like, were inscribed as mottos upon swords, guns, and other deadly weapons, the inconsistency of Christians in fighting and killing each other would be sufficiently apparent.

The followers of Christ, for a great many years after his death, believed he had forbidden war, and many of them refused to engage in it, even under the punishment of imprisonment or

What was announced at the birth of Christ? What is he called? His religion? What is taught by the apostles? What prophesied in the Old Testament? What may we infer from this? How would the inconsistency of Christians in fighting and killing each other be made very apparent? What is said of the first followers of Christ?

death. A man named Maximilian was brought before an officer, and about to be enrolled as a soldier. On being asked his name, he said, I am a Christian, and cannot fight. He was ordered to be enrolled, but refused to serve, still saying that he was a Christian. He was told that he must either bear arms or be put to death; but he remained steadfast, and said, I cannot fight, if I die; and holding fast to his principles, he was delivered to the executioner.

"The primitive Christians not only refused to be enlisted in the army, but when they embraced Christianity, while already enlisted, they abandoned the profession, at whatever cost. Marcellus, a centurion, while holding this commission, became a Christian, and believing, in common with his fellow Christians, that war was no longer permitted to him, he threw down his belt at the head of the legion, declaring that he had become a Christian, and that he would serve no longer. He was committed to prison, but was still faithful to Christianity. It is not lawful, said he, for a Christian to bear arms for any earthly consideration; and he was in consequence put to death."

"Soon afterwards, Cassian, who was notary to the same legion, gave up his office. He steadfastly maintained the sentiments of Marcellus, and, like him, was consigned to the exe

What of a man named Maximilian? Of the primitive Christians? Of Marcellus, a centurion? What is related of Cassian, a notary?

cutioner. A man named Martin was bred to the profession of arms, which, on becoming a Christian, he abandoned. The reason that he gave to the emperor Julian was this: I am a Christian, and therefore I cannot fight."

"The Christians who lived nearest the time of our Saviour believed, with undoubting confidence, that he had forbidden war. They openly avowed this belief, and, in support of it, were willing to sacrifice, and did sacrifice, their fortunes and their lives." "They were called, followers of peace; and one of their early writers says, that the followers of peace used none of the implements of war; and that it can never be lawful for a righteous man to go to war. They were also charged by their opposers with refusing to bear arms, even in case of necessity."

If a nation were to obey the law of Christ, to "love their enemies," to "do good to those who hate them," and to "overcome evil with good;" if a whole people were harmless, just, forgiving, benevolent and defenceless, it cannot be supposed that another nation would rise up and war against them.

The early settlers of this country were barbarously treated by the Indians, but the warfare was first begun by the injuries, violence and

Of a man named Martin? What was believed by the Christians who lived nearest the time of our Saviour? What testimony of one of their early writers? Under what circumstances is it supposed one nation would not rise up against another nation? What is said about the early settlers of this country?

injustice of the whites. "But the Society of Friends neither retired to garrisons, nor provided themselves with arms. They remained openly in the country, while the rest were flying to the forts. They still pursued their occupations in the fields or at their homes, without a weapon either for annoyance or defence. And what was their fate? They lived in security and quiet. The habitation, which, to his armed neighbor, was the scene of murder and of the scalping-knife, was to the unarmed Quaker a place of safety and of peace."-"Only three of the society were killed, and these were persons who, in a spirit of distrust, took weapons of war to defend themselves."

"In a rebellion in Ireland, when not only open war, but cold-blooded murder, and the utmost fury of bigotry and revenge, prevailed, the Quakers were preserved even to a proverb; and when strangers passed through the streets of ruin, and observed a house standing uninjured and alone, they would sometimes point and say, That doubtless is the house of a Quaker. So complete was the preservation which those people experienced, that no member of their society fell a sacrifice but one young man, and that young man had assumed regimentals and arms."

James Madison, late President of the United States, wrote a pamphlet on war, in which he

Of the Society of Friends? What of a rebellion in Ireland? Madison?

How many were killed?
What was said by James

says: "Of all the evils to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the genius of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes. And armies, and debts, and taxes, are the known instruments for bringing the many under the dominion of the few. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of perpetual warfare."

CHAPTER IV.

DUTY OF COURTESY.

"Be courteous."

By courtesy is meant, that kind and graceful manner, in our intercourse with others, which is pleasant and agreeable to their feelings. The terms civility, politeness and urbanity, have all a similar meaning. And they all denote the gentle and refined manners of civilized and enlightened people, in opposition to the rough, clownish and brutal conduct of savages and barbarians. Some suppose politeness to consist merely in bows, and flattering compliments; in affected ways of speaking, and assurances of great joy at meeting, though none be felt. But

Subject of Chapter IV.? Motto? What is meant by courtesy What other terms of similar meaning? What do they all denote? In what do some suppose politeness to consist?