object not limited by local attachments, or circumscribed by any geographical boundaries, but extending to the whole human family.

The Society has no misgiving as it regards the scriptural integrity of its views, that ALL WAR is opposed to the religion of the New Testament; but maintains its unimpeachableness, whether examined in the light of the predictions of the Old Testament, the life and teaching of Christ the author and finisher of the christian faith, the doctrines propounded by the inspired apostles, or the whole genius of the Divine oracles. The Society, therefore, regards the general prevalence of erroneous sentiments on the subject of War, instead of operating as a discouragement, as affording occasion rather to proportion its efforts to the obstacles it has to encounter, and to be animated to look forward to the period, “when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Entertaining these views, the Society submits it to every christian mind, as an incumbent duty, to examine carefully the reasons and evidence on this point, which have been faithfully, and with affectionate solemnity, set before the professedly christian public in its acknowledged Tracts.

91, BISHOPSGATE WITHIN,

January, 1840.

Tract No. I. of the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace.

By this snall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John xiii. 35. "All they that take the sword shail perish with the sword.”—Matt. xxvi. 52.

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To be had at THOMAS WARD & Co.'s Paternoster Row, and at the DEPOSITORY, 19, New Broad Street, Finsbury Circus.

IN OCTAVO.

No. I. A Solemn Review of the Custom of War.

II. War inconsistent with the Doctrine and Example of Jesus Christ, by John Scott, Esq.

III. An Essay on the Doctrine and Practice of the Early Christians as they relate to War, by Thomas Clarkson, Esq. M. A.

IV. Extracts from Erasmus.

V. Sketches of the Horrors of War, by Evan Rees

VI. On Universal Peace, by the Rev. David Bogue.

VII. Observations on the Applicability of the Pacific Principles of the New Testament to the Conduct of States, &c. by Jonathan Dymond. VIII. An Examination of the Principles which are considered to support the Practice of War, by a Lady.

IX. The Principles of Peace Exemplified in the Conduct of the Society of Friends in Ireland, during the Rebellion of the year 1798, with some Preliminary and Concluding Observations, by Thomas Hancock, M.D. In Three Parts.

X. Historical Illustrations of the Origin and Consequences of War, by the Author of Tract No. VIII., as above.

XI. Reflections on the Calamities of War, and the Superior Policy of Peace, translated from the French of a Treatise, "On the Administration of the Finances of France," by M. Necker.

XII. An Essay on War, and on its Lawfulness under the Christian Dispensation, by Joseph John Gurney.

By the Author of "Select Female Biography," " Annals of my

Village," &c.

No. I. Sketch of a Hospital Scene in Portugal.

II. Results of War, with Suggestions for an Amicable Settlement of National Disputes.

III. Sketch of the Miseries suffered by the Germans during the Seven Years' War, from 1756 to 1763.

IV. Peace Societies, and the Scenes which have occurred within the last Sixty Years, in Two Parts.

V. Account of the Massacre of Corcubion, with an appeal to English

Ladies.

VI. The Sights we have seen

Also "THE HERALD OF PEACE," published Quarterly, and to be

had as above.

Every Annual Subscriber of 10s. 6d. and upwards, may, within the year, receive in return, Tracts to the amount of one half of his Subscription, on application at the Office. And Country Subscribers are requested to give the Address of some person in Loudon to whom they may be sent.

781-9.

SOLEMN REVIEW

"Shall the sword devour for ever?"

WE regard with horror the custom of the ancient heathens, in offering their children in sacrifice to idols. We are shocked with the customs of the Hindoos, in prostrating themselves before the car of an idol to be crushed to death; in burning women alive on the funeral piles of their husbands; in offering a monthly sacrifice, by casting living children into the Ganges to be drowned. We read with astonishment of the sacrifices made in the Papal crusades, and in the Mahometan and Hindoo pilgrimages. We wonder a the blindness of Christian nations, who have esteemed it right and honourable to buy and sell Africans as property, and reduce them to bondage for life. But that which is fashionable and popular in any country is esteemed right and honourable, whatever may be its nature in the views of men better informed.

But while we look back, with a mixture of wonder, indignation, and pity, on many of the customs of former ages, are we careful to inquire, whether some customs which we deem honourable, are not the effect of popular delusion? and whether they will not be so regarded by future generations? Is it not a fact, that one of the most horrid customs of savage men, is now popular in every nation in Christendom? What custom of the most barbarous nations is more repugnant to the feelings of piety, humanity, and justice, than that of deciding controversies between nations by the edge of the sword, by powder and ball, or the point of the bayonet? What other savage custom has occasioned half the desolation and misery to the human race? And what, but the grossest infatuation, could render such a custom popular among rational beings?

When we consider how great a part of mankind have perished by the hands of each other, and how large a portion of human calamity has resulted from war; it surely cannot appear indif

ferent, whether this custom is or is not the effect of delusion. Certainly there is no custom which deserves a more thorough examination, than that which has occasioned more slaughter and misery, than all the other abominable customs of the heathen world.

War has been so long fashionable amongst all nations, that its enormity is but little regarded; or when thought of at all, it is usually considered as an evil necessary and unavoidable. But the question to be considered is this-Cannot the state of society and the views of civilized men be so changed as to abolish so barbarcus a custom, and render wars unnecessary and avoidable ?

If this question may be answered in the affirmative, then we may hope that "the sword will not devour for ever."

Some may be ready to exclaim, None but God can produce such an effect as the abolition of war; and we must wait for the millennial day. We admit that God only can produce the necessary change in the state of society, and the views of men; but God works by human agency and human means. God could have produced such a change in the views of the British nation, as to abolish the slave trade; yet the event was brought about by a long course of persevering and honourable exertions of benevolent men.

When the thing was first proposed, it probably appeared to the majority of the people, as an unavailing and chimerical project. But God raised up powerful advocates, gave them the spirit of perseverance, and finally crowned their efforts with glorious success. Now, it is probable, thousands of people are wondering how such an abominable traffic ever had existence in a nation which had the least pretensions to Christianity or civilization. In a similar manner God can put an end to war, and fill the world with astonishment, that rational beings ever thought of such a mode of settling controversies.

As to waiting for the millennium to put an end to war, without any exertions on our own part, it is like the sinner's waiting God's time for conversion, while he pursues his course of vice and impiety. If ever there shall be a millennium, in which the sword will cease to devour, it will probably be effected by the blessing of God on the benevolent exertions of enlightened men. Perhaps no one thing is now a greater obstacle in the way of the wished for state of the church, than the spirit and crstom of war