obtained the concurrence of Europe-a concurrence which, I believe, never yet took place at the commencement of any one improvement in policy or morals. I fear that this most enormous evil will never be redressed. Is it not folly to wait for the stream to run down before we cross the bed of its chan nel? Alas! we might wait for ever. The river will still flow on. We shall be no nearer the object we have in view, so long as the step, which alone can bring us to it, is not taken." Such was the reasoning of Mr. Pitt against the plan for a "gradual abolition" of the slave-trade. Let it then be applied for the immediate abolition of war. Is not war as clearly a "moral evil" as the slave trade? Can it exist but by injustice, wickedness and murder? If not, why should it be tolerated for a single day? Is it not the duty of every man to do all he can for the immediate destruction of a monster, which has its very existence in sin, and which lives on human sacrifices? Governments, in dealing with pirates, robbers, and incendiaries, never think of proposing to these culprits a gradual abolition of their abominable trades. Nor should rulers be less prompt in abolishing their own vicious customs, than they wish subjects to be in abolishing theirs. To propose a "gradual abolition" of war, would be as absurd, or indeed the same thing, as to propose a gradual abolition of injustice, piracy, rapine, and human butchery. The great objection against an immediate abolition of the slave-trade, was, that other nations would not give it up if Great Britain "should renounce it." A similar objection is now made against the abolition of war. But why may not a gang of thieves or robbers make the same plea, and refuse to give up their disgraceful occupation till all of the same trade shall be agreed for its abolition? Let it, however, be remembered, that Great Britain did abolish the slave-trade, before it was known that any other nation of Europe would follow the example. What have been the consequences? One government after another has had its eyes opened, and given up the trade; and there is now a great probability that every government in Europe will soon set its face against this evil. Had our government and that of Great Britain done no more than to decree a "gradual abolition;" it is probable that the slave-trade, with all its horrours, would have been popular at the present time. Such is the natural course of events. As soon as we can be certain that one nation has fully determined to abolish war; we may be sure that others will follow the example. Let those who formed the "Holy League," but adhere to its principles, and all the nations of Europe will abandon the savage custom. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS PEACE SOCIETY. ALL human institutions are stamped with imperfection; and the best of them are capable of being improved by time and experience. Considering the circumstances under which the Massachusetts Peace Society originated, the smallness of its funds, and the powerful prepossessions it had to encounter, it was not to be expected that the first Report of its officers, would contain a list of facts either very numerous, splendid, or interesting. Such an institution, like a child in its infancy, requires time to grow up and come to maturity. Its first efforts will naturally be feeble, and often display the want of that wisdom which experience alone can give. Some inconvenience appears to have resulted from the want of a matured system of operation; and a consequent delay of distributing publications according to the directions of the board. Excepting the Circular Letter, the distribution of pamphlets was of a date so recent, that little information of their effect could be expected at this time. Still, something has been done in the course of the year; some impression has been made, and effects produced; and some information has been received favourable to the objects of the society. Two thousand and five hundred copies of a Circular Letter were printed, and the greater part of them have been distributed in the United States. Some copies have been sent to Europe, and some to the neighbouring British Provinces. An edition of two thousand copies of the Sermon on War, by the Rev. Mr. Channing, has been printed at the expense of the society. In refunding the half of the annual subscription, it was the aim of the committee to furnish each member with two copies of the Sermon on War, one copy of a Solemn Review of the Custom of War, and three numbers of the Friend of Peace, including what had been received by many of the members, of No. 4. The six pamphlets, at the wholesale price, amounted, precisely, to the half dollar to be refunded. In compliance with the vote of the board, the committee have sent to the several Colleges in New-England, thirty-eight complete sets of all the publications, which have been circulated by the society, namely, the Circular Letter, the Solemn Review, six numbers of the Friend of Peace, and the Sermon on War. One set was assigned to each College Library, and one to each literary society in the several Colleges, known to have a Library." 66 A set of all the publications, except the Circular Letter, has been presented to several gentlemen who had contributed to the funds of the society, without becoming members; but they are gentlemen whom the society would gladly acknowledge as members, should it be their pleasure to give their names for that purpose. In addition to what has been done by distributing the Sermon on War, gratuitously, some copies of the Solemn Review, and of the Friend of Peace have been sent to members, as agents; and a few to gentlemen of reputation and influence, in distant places, for the purpose of procuring additional subscribers, and exciting attention to the objects of the society. The following is intended as a correct statement of the distributions which have been made, including the distribution to the members of the society: Of the Circular Letter, different Numbers of the Friend of Peace, In all, 4820 240 590 There is now in the hands of the Executive Committee: Of the Circular Letter, Sermon on War, The copies sent to agents for procuring subscribers, will, doubtless, be returned, or, instead of them, the names of subscribers to the society. Several names have already been reported, which were procured by copies thus distributed. That impressions have been made, and effects produced, favourable to the objects of the society, may appear from the following facts: The Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers have, by vote, and by an interesting address to the publick, approved the object of the society, and recommended, "that the members of this Convention become members of the society; and that they severally use their influence to induce others to become members, and to promote the formation of Auxiliary Peace Societies in their respective vicinities.” The General Association of Massachusetts Proper, in a Pastoral Address to the churches, have spoken of Peace Societies, in language sufficiently respectful. These are the words of the Address: Should Peace Societies be extended, they will be handmaids, or rather guardian angels, to other benevolent institutions. No means seems so likely to produce universal peace, as the influence of such societies." The united testimony of two such respectable bodies of the Ministers of religion, communicated to the churches, must naturally make a powerful impression and lead many to reflect. Since the formation of the society, more than one hundred and thirty respectable members have been added. The present number of members, already reported, is one hundred and seventy-three, of which more than fifty are ministers of religion; and a considerable number are Laymen of high standing, and who would be an honour to any society. Had no other facts come to our knowledge, those which have been mentioned might well encourage the heart of every friend of peace. But information has been received from different sections of the United States, and from foreign countries, which affords still further ground for rejoicing in hope. For it clearly appears, that the wonder-working God has been exciting his children, in various parts of the world, to reflect on the barbarous and antichristian character of war, and to exert themselves for the abolition of this tremendous scourge of man. Information has been received, that the Peace Society in New-York is in a growing state; that a Peace Society has been formed in Ohio; and that the principles of peace are rapidly gaining ground in different parts of the country. Nor is it in America alone that the God of peace has been opening the eyes of his children, on this interesting subject. Even prior to the formation of our society, he had shown that the hearts of kings and emperours were in his hand, by excit ing three powerful sovereigns to unite in a holy league. Four other powers have since been added, and now, seven of the European governments have bound themselves, by a solemn covenant, to make the precepts of the gospel their guide, both in governing their respective subjects, and in their treatment of each other. And the preservation of peace is the avowed ob ject of the alliance. In Great Britain, also, the eyes of many have been opened. A society for the abolition of war has been founded; and the subject of war has been discussed with great freedom and ability. It has also been recently announced, that the Prince Regent has signified to the allied sovereigns, that although the form of the British constitution prevents his signing the treaty, called the Holy League, yet they "have his entire concurrence in the principles they expressed, and in the declaration they have made." Admitting the possibility, and even the probability, that the alliance for the preservation of peace will be violated, and that there will again be wars in Europe prior to the happy day, when the nations shall learn war no more,-still the Holy League may be of vast advantage. It is calculated to call the attention of people, of all classes, to the destructive character of war. It opens a door for a free discussion of its nature and principles, both from the pulpit and the press. Of course, the number of the friends of peace will be continually increasing, till their combined influence shall put an end to the game of blood. Intelligence of all the foregoing facts has been received since the origin of the Massachusetts Peace Society; and there are still other facts which demand our notice. In Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, New-York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, the leading characters in the Society of Friends have displayed a benevolent and persevering spirit, by circulating, extensively, publications in favour of peace, without any partial regard to the denomination from which they originated. They rejoice in the existence of Peace Societies among Christians of other denominations; and they have both the ability and the disposition to afford important aid. It should be added, that in the course of the past year, a surprising number of benevolent institutions have been founded, of various names, and for various purposes. Each of which may be regarded as an auxiliary to Peace Societies, and Peace Societies as auxiliaries to each of them. It may now be asked, what institution was ever founded for a nobler object, than the abolition of war and the preservation of peace? If by diffusing the peaceful principles and spirit of the |