LETTER XVIII.

CONCLUSION.

SIR,

HAVING accomplished the purpose I at first contemplated, I trust the extraordinary nature of the subject I have considered, and the incalculable interests it involves, will justify my design, and render any apology needless, for such defects as may appear in its execution. The current of opinion, as wide as the world itself, and the force of habit, corroborated by all the years the world has existed, in favour of the profuse destruction of life, by the hand of man, would leave little for me to hope from my arguments, or from arguments drawn by abler pens, did I.not believe that God rules the world, and that the time is near when this disgraceful practice shall come to an end.

Since the commencement of these Letters, I have had the satisfaction to learn, that you, Sir, have publicly espoused the pacific system; declared your disapprobation of war, and have joined a society instituted for the purpose of promoting peace. While you resigned the chair of state, which you had filled with dignity and honour, you have assumed a character which would have adorned that chair, and which, I trust, will before long adorn many thrones, when "Kings shall become nursing fathers, and Queens nursing mothers of the Church."

The sudden and unexpected repose given to Christendom, after the bloody wars and wasting revolutions of twenty years, and the extraordinary efforts of Missionary and Bible Societies, have given an unusual shock to the minds of men, and brought about a favourable moment for the friends of peace to lift their voices and unite their exertions. I trust their activity and co-operation, will show to the world that their opinions go beyond mere theory, and are not wasted in empty speculation. The expectation of the whole Christian Church, through nearly all its sections, grounded on sacred prediction, that a period of peace and prosperity is near, cannot but awaken in every pious mind, an attention to the course of providence; and those whose attention is awake cannot but rejoice to see new light breaking forth.

I have seen, Sir, the weakness and danger of local applications of prophecy, prompted by over-heated zeal, too

often exposed, to venture upon the bare supposition that a period of outward prosperity to the Church is immediately to be expected. The kingdom of God cometh not with ob servation. I am not quite certain, that the usual conjectures concerning the scenes introductory to the Millennium will prove true. Several expositors, on this tract, have already been sufficiently checked and humbled in their career of conjectures, by the sudden and total failure of a new empire in Europe, which was to break and overturn the old establishments, and introduce a new order of things.

But, Sir, it is evident there never was a time since nations were formed, which promised more success to the endeavours of the friends of peace, than the present; and the simultaneous appearance of so many united in their opinion against war, already evinces a hopeful progress of that opinion. I have elsewhere intimated that there are probably few pious persons who have not, at one time or another, had doubts of the consistency of war with christian principles; this indeed 'seems an inevitable consequence of an attentive perusal of the New Testament. But I can go much further than this, and say, that I have seen a very great number of persons, in the course of my life, who, though they made no pretences to religion, did not hesitate to declare that they thought war contrary to the gospel; and that they were surprised that a Christian could fight and kill men, since Christ himself expressly forbids it.

Wars are generally occasioned by a few designing and ambitious men, by whom nations are blinded and led; but the happy situation of our own country, remote from all other nations, seems in a manner to exempt us from all necessity, and from all the incitements to war. Were this subject once fairly brought before the public, and set in its true light, the friends and advocates of peace would become respectable by their numbers, and influential by their exertions. Their numbers would be augmented by many whose candid and unambitious temper would allow them to give the subject due consideration.

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I have been much gratified to hear that several societies are already formed for the promotion of the principles of peace. The effects of union and concentration are well known, and were never more necessary than in this grand concern. trust that measures will not be delayed to let the remote and solitary friends of peace, in various parts of the country, know that the subject is under consideration, and that they do not stand alone. It may prove that many persons are on

the side of peace, whose silence has in some measure resulted from that diffidence we naturally and perhaps justly feel of avowing a singular opinion.

Methinks, Sir, that revenge and ambition might be well nigh glutted with blood and slaughter. For nearly six thousand years they have rendered the globe a Golgotha, and the sword has shared with disease the empire of destruction. The present period of peace is ushered in under peculiar circumstances; nations are more ripe and ready for conviction, as certainly they have never seen ambition more insatiable or more vain, more bloody or more abortive, than that which recently agitated the world. The elements of society have undergone some change; and many fundamental errors which served as fetters for the mind are broken up and done away. We have, Sir, in our day, seen slavery abolished, or at least so far, as that correct opinions concerning both the doctrine and practice on which it rested now prevail. Religious freedom has in a good measure succeeded to that deplorable and shameful despotism, which, in all ages, held the human mind in the chains of Satan. Christian nations are awakened in some measure to feel the importance of spreading among the heathen the true knowledge of God. Missionaries are dispersed through the interior regions of heathenish darkness, not for sectarian, but for Christian purposes; and noble efforts are making to furnish every nation with the oracles of God in their own language.

While the spirit of war seems for a moment paralyzed, or at a loss where next to point its bloody standard and destructive columns, would it not be a good time, Sir, for the Christian Church to hasten to her primitive ground, to that ground she so shamefully deserted, and which desertion was among the steps of her apostacy? Never will nations cease to destroy each other, whilst kept in countenance by the example and authority of the Christian Church; which, alas ! is fatally mistaken for the authority of Christ. Nations seem waiting for, and expecting this movement; and its effects would be great. It is not impossible, Sir, but there may be even monarchs who would rejoice to hear of the spread of pacific principles. Why should they not, since war does but increase their anxiety, their insecurity, and their guilt?

O my country, latest in the annals of time, but first in the discovery, and foremost in the career of civil and religious liberty; possessing a world replenished with the comforts and blessings of life! mayest thou also be foremost in this glorious reformation; mayest thou be first to acknowledge the domin

ion, obey the laws, and enjoy the approbation of the Prince of Peace!

Let me close, Sir, by observing, there are powerful reasons why the friends of peace should seize the present calm, while for a moment the great ocean remains unruffled, besides those which arise from their general duty and obligations, and those which arise from favourable changes and general facilities. Their union and activity might, at least, tend to the prolongation of peace, if not to its final establishment; and they should bear it in mind, that in the agitations and turbulence of war, they cannot hope to retire to the neutral and impartial ground of peace without being followed by suspicions, and reproached with coldness and disaffection to the honour and interest of their country.

I am, Sir, with great respect and esteem,

Your most obedient Servant,

PHILADELPHUS.

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