and death. But he can suffer neither Notes on a Letter to the Archbishops without the permission of his Al

and Bishops of the Church of Eng- mighty Protector, who has numbered land, 8c. London, 1806. pp. 24-30. the hairs of his head, who loves By ECCLETUS.

him beyond measure, and therefore “War is surely proscribed by many consults his best interests in the precepts, and by the whole example event. He is banished howeverof Christ. Three words of his con- from whence? From a scene of provey its death-warrant—Love your bation and suffering—and whither? enemies.' Matt. v. 44. Luke vi. 27, 35. To a kingdom of peace and glory, And the execution of this waits, where, far from being enslaved, he in each of us, only our full surrender reigns rejoicing ! Such is the personal to the Gospel. That is the perfection view of this subject to the magnaof Christian love, which leaves no nimous, that is to say, the faithful room for fear; and enables a man to follower of Christ in every age. A dismiss that sense of insecurity which nation so constituted, could no more is the true motive for holding out fight, than it could be enslaved. In threats to another. Aspiring to no the very improbable event of its being less an end, we are willing to set out threatened by another with immeat once in our practice from the pre- diate violence, such a nation would cept and the example, leaving the appeal, not only formally but really consequences to follow; not without to Providence. Is not Providence, looking for ability, both to obey the faithful Christian would say, one and to suffer, to the grace of God in being with Omnipotence, and does strengthening us, who otherwise Omnipotence want the feeble aid of could do nothing. We dare to op- forbidden violence on my part, to pose this conduct and this way of redress my wrong or establish miy reasoning to that discriminating doc- right? Having used every possible trine which would justify the Chris- means for reasonable accommodatian in disobeying any of his Lord's tion, I shall now wait his decision. precepts, because of the possible con- That decision will be right and just, sequences of his obedience. This and more I cannot ask ! would have provided very well for the “ That the principle of Perice will ease of the primitive advocates for spread in the world at largra we can Christianity, in this and other testi- no more doubt, than that thie Gospel monies against the religion of the lords will be preached in all nations : and of the world, who impugned them with when the time arrives for this, we no gentler arguments than fire and have grounds in the history of the sword. They might have shunned primitive church for the opinion, the reply, and have pleaded that at that seas, rivers, and mountains will that juncture it was not convenient. not be barriers to its progress, or cirBut in the mean time what would cumscribe and determine the sphere have become of the cause?

of its tranquillizing influence. The “ The present state of the world tumultuous course of violence is undoubtedly affords an awful pros- easily marked by the world. When pect : yet the Christian, confirmed in its sudden and impetuous movements the true faith, is enabled to face it. have been accomplished, it ceases by Let us anticipate for him the worst the collision of its opposed parts. that can happen to himself. He is 'The world then proclaims peace, plundered and oppressed. But his while the lateņt cause of war subgoods and his person were his ser- sists as before. It is not so with the vants; and their master, if he retain peace of the Gospel. Those changes, his integrity, may yet look on free. in the moral and intellectual state of Yet more-he suffers ignominy, pain, mankind, which prepare the way for

:

you

this, have proceeded for ages, like ral truths made clear, of which we the growth of solid timber, slowly, have now no more idea than the ansilently, irresistibly; and a future cients had of the circulation of the age will undoubtedly witness their blood, or the optics of Sir Isaac consummation."

Newton.”

It is now a hundred years since

the masculine and piercing genius of Extract from a Letter to a Member of this lady predicted that a time would the Committee of the Peace Society. come when War would be seen, not

Dublin,

to say more of it, as the most childish My dear Friend, - I am sorry I folly. Will not the strong minded have not sooner been able to seize a men of the present day view it in the minute in which to thank for the same light? She did not dare to hope Tracts, &c. you sent me on leaving that the period would arrive before a London : on reaching this capital, I thousand years had elapsed. Knowread them attentively, and I confess ledge however augments in a vastly

a I am completely convinced that they increasing ratio. May we not safely advocate the right side of the impor- substitute a hundred for the thousand tant and glorious question. Will you years ? Blessed progress, were but take the trouble to give for me ***** this the case. to the treasury. I propose to continue my subscription, and to render the cause all the assistance in my

The Ferocity of War, and the Impiety

of its Votaries depicted. power. And as I am writing I will fill my paper with a few

scraps,

which The following descriptive piece was you may use if

you
like.

written about thirty years ago, when The following extract is from one the Turks and Russians were preof Lady Mary Wortley Montague's paring for war: the author imagines Letters, (See her Works by Dallaway, himself elevated to a great distance vol. 5. p. 16.)

from the Earth by a supernatural “ The world is past its infancy, Agent, who had given him a solemn and will no longer be contented with lecture on the past and present state spoon-meat. A collective body of of the human Family. He thus promen make a gradual progress in un- ceeds :derstanding, like that of a single in- I remained absorbed in profound dividual. When I reflect on the vast silence; meanwhile I kept my eyes increase of useful as well as specula- fixed upon Asia : clouds of smoke and tive knowledge the last three hun- of flames at the north, on the shores dred years has produced, and that the of the Black Sea, and in the fields of peasants of this age have more con- the Crimea, suddenly attracted my veniences than the first Kings of Rome attention: they appeared to ascend had any notion of, I imagine we are at once from every part of the Peninnow arrived at the period which an- sula, and, passing by the Isthmus to swers to fifteen : I cannot think that the Continent, they pursued their we are older, when I recollect the

course as if driven by an easterly many palpable follies which are still wind, along the miry lake of Asoph, almost universally persisted in. I place and were lost in the verdant plains of that of War, as senseless as the box- the Coban. Observing more attening of school-boys; and whenever tively the course of these clouds, I we are come to man's estate (perhaps perceived that they were preceded or 1000 years hence,) I do not doubt followed by swarms of living beings, it will appear as ridiculous as the which, like ants disturbed by the pranks of unlucky lads. Several dis- foot of a passenger, were in lively coveries will thus be made, and seve- action : sometimes they seemed to

move towards and rush against each been, and would be still troublesome other, and numbers after the con- neighbours : their country is an obcussion remained motionless. Dis- ject of convenience to their less unquieted at this spectacle, I was en- civilized neighbours, it rounds and deavouring to distinguish the objects, makes complete their dominions." when my Guide said to me,

In reality I saw the Russian flag you see those fires that spread over hoisted over the Crimea, and their the Earth ; and are you acquainted vessels scattered over the Euxine. with their causes and effects?" O Sir, Meanwhile, at the cries of the fuI replied, I see columns of fame and gitive Tartars the Mussulman emsmoke, and as it were insects that pire was in commotion. " Our breaccompany them; . but, discerning thren (exclaimed the children of Mawith difficulty, as I do, the masses homet) are driven from their habitaof towns and monuments, how can tions, the people of the Prophet are I distinguish such petty creatures ? I outraged; infidels are in possession can see nothing more than that these of a consecrated land, and profane Insects seem to carry on a sort of the Temple of Islamism. Let us arm mock battles : they advance, they ourselves to avenge the glory of God approach, they attack, they pursue.- and our own cause.” " It is no mockery (said my Guide,) A general preparation for war then it is the thing itself.”—And what took place in the two empires. Armed name, replied I, shall we give to men, ammunition, and all the murthese foolish animalculæ, that thus derous accoutrements of battle, were destroy each other? Do they live only every where assembled. My attenfor a day, and is this short life fur- tion was particularly attracted by the ther abridged by violence and murder? immense crowds that in either nation My Guide then touched my eyes and thronged to the Temples: on the my ears : “ Listen (said he) to me,

one hand the Mussulmans assembled and observe.”-Immediately turning before their Mosques, washed their my eyes in the same direction, hands and feet, pared their nails, and

Alas! said I, transpierced with combed their beards; then spreading anguish, these columns of flame, carpets on the ground, and turning these insects they are Men, and the themselves towards the south, with ravages I see are those of War! their arms sometimes crossed and These torrents of flame ascend from sometimes extended, they performed towns and villages set on fire! I their devotion. Then rising up in a see the horsemen that light them. I transport of rage, the people shouted, see them, sword in hand, overrun the “ There is but one God, and Macountry. Old men, women and chil- homet is his prophet!- Accursed be dren, in confused multitudes, fly be- every one that believeth not!-Infore them. I see other horsemen, dulgent God! grant us the favour to who,with pikes on their shoulders, ac- exterminate these Christians; it is company and direct them; I can even for thy glory we fight, and by our distinguish by their led horses, by death we are martyrs to thy name!" their bonnets, and their tufts of hair, And having offered sacrifices, they that they are Tartars; and without prepared themselves for battle. doubt, those who pursue them in On the other hand, the Russians triangular hats and green uniforms on their knees exclaimed : are Muscovites. I understand the give thanks to God, and celebrate whole: I perceive the war has just his power : he has strengthened our broken out between the empire of arm to humble our enemies. Benethe Czars and the Sultans.-“ Not ficent God! incline thine ear to yet (replied my Guide;) this is only our prayers. To please thee, we will the prelude. These Tartars have for three days eat neither meat nor

« Let us

eggs: permit us to exterminate these late them to active exertion in the impious Mahometans, and overflow great cause of Christian philanthropy, their empire, and we will give thee our author thus writes: the tenth of the spoil, and erect new “The disciples of Christ will not Temples to thy honour.” The Priests forget, that the present is a state of then filled the churches with smoke, trial, and not of uninterrupted enand said to the people, “ We pray joyment: but this will not discourage,

“ for you, and God accepts our in- nor disconcert them in their heavenly cense, and will bless your arms." enterprize ; and they will continue,

; , And they sprinkled water on the by renewed and increased exertions, people, and said, “ We absolve

you to lessen, as much as may be, the of your sins, and you shall die in a mass of human misery which still state of grace." And the people remains. The injunction of their breathed nothing but war and de- divine Master, that they should love struction.

one another,' will be always in their Struck with this contrasting picture remembrance; and be to them like of the same passions, and lamenting a law of consanguinity ; as a relationto myself their pernicious conse- ship of a holy and spiritual nature, quences, I was reflecting on the cemented by the blood, and dying difficulty the common Judge would agonies of Him, who laid down his find in complying with such opposite life for their sakes. They will be demands, when my heavenly Conduc- one with Christ, in promoting the tor, from an impulse of anger, ve- plan of his universal kingdom of hemently exclaimed,

righteousness, as he and his heavenly " What madness is this that strikes Father are one. To this purport was my ear! what blind and fatal in- the prayer of the great Shepherd of sanity possesses the human mind! the flock, when he said, 'I pray not Sacrilegious prayers, return to the for these alone, but for them also earth from whence you came ! Is it which shall believe on me through thus, O Man, you worship the Di- their word ; that they all may be vinity ? and do you think that he you one; as thou, Father, art in me, call Father of all, can receive with and í in thee, that they also may be complacence the homage of free- one in us; that the world may believe booters and murderers ? Ye Con- that thou hast seat me. And the querors, with what sentiments does glory which thou gavest me I have he behold your arms reeking with given them; that they may be one, the blood that he has created! YeCon- even as we are one : I in them, and quered, what hope can you place in thou in me, that they may be made useless moans ? Is he a man that he perfect in one; and that the world should repent, or the son of man may know that thou has sent me, that he should change ?"

and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they

also, whom thou hast given me, be The Kingdom of God on Earth, by the with me where I am ; that they may Rev.John Whitehouse.

behold my glory, which thou hast (Continued from p. 344.)

given me : for thou lovedst me before

the foundation of the world. O The love of God, and the union righteous Father, the world hath subsisting between the Father and not known thee: but I have known the Son, constitute the only proper thee, and these have known that foundation for the affection and

union thou hast sent me. And I have de which ought to subsist between the clared unto them thy name, and will disciples of Jesus Christ. To stimu- declare it : that the love wherewith

a

thou hast loved me may be in them, furious and turbulent passions of and I in them.'*~Here then is the men ; over wrath, malice, hatred proper ground of union among and revenge, as to have subdued Christians, between the Master and them into subjection to the mild and his disciples, and the only one de- peaceful law of the Gospel. serving of the name. Here is a bond most violent characters, those who of fellowship which will exalt and have been habituated to war, rapine, dignify human nature, by making and bloodshed, and whose obdurate all the multitudinous individuals of and unfeeling dispositions rendered which the kindred society of mankind them more like the wild beasts of is composed a blessing to each other. the forest than human creatures, will They will love as brethren ;' they then have changed their natures ; will hear each other's burdens ;' they will have put off the old man they will dwell together in unity with his deeds, and put on the and godly love. As members of the new man which is renewed in knowholy Catholic Church of Christ, and ledge after the image of Him that of the communion of saints, they made him ;' they will have repented will be fellow labourers in the of, and forsaken their sin and guilt, Gospel, looking for, and hastening and listened to the entreating voice, the long-predicted period, when all Come untu me, all ye that labour, power and authority, the kingdoms and are heavy laden, and I will give of the world, and the glory of them, you rest.' shall be brought into subjection to Again, in section the fifth, he him, the sceptre of whose kingdom strives to excite his readers to diis a right sceptre ; and who is to ligence in the great work of prohave the heathen for his inheritance, moting the happiness and the peace and the utmost parts of the earth for of mankind. his possession.'

“ But since the time is short,' “ The universal peace and happi- and 'the night of death cometh when ness which shall then prevail among no man can work,' let us endeavour the different nations of the earth, to do something for God before we is thus described by Isaiah:- In sink into our graves ; and not suffer righteousness shall he judge the poor, the whole of life to pass without and with equity for the meek of the a single effort to promote his king- . earth : and he shall smite the earth dom and glory. If it be but little with the rod of his mouth, and with that we can do, it is worth the painsthe breath of his lips shall he slay taking, and we know not what a the wicked. And righteousness shall blessing may attend it. We shall not be the girdle of his loins, and faith- have lived in vain, if we bave confulness the girdle of his reins. The tributed our mite of service to a wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, single individual of our brethren of and the leopard shall lie down with mankind; if we have been enabled, the kid; and the calf and the young although in a very limited degree, lion and the fatling together; and to lighten the load of human misery, a little child'shall lead them. They or enlarge the boundaries of human shall not hurt nor destroy in all my happiness. It will be a source of holy mountain : for the earth shall consolation to when be full of the knowledge of the Lord, quitting the world, if we have been as the waters cover the sea.'The the friends and advocates of peace ; religion of Christ will then have ob- if we have been preserved from that tained such an ascendancy over the blood-guiltiness' which attaches to

those, who are the abettors of a * John, xvii. 20—26,

practice in direct hostility with the Isaiah. xi. 4, 5, 6, 9.

liberties and happiness of mankind.

us

we are