MASTER NEGATIVE NO 91 -80356-9 MICROFIL "i ' f .*. f Jfc J» ,_«,# JWr- ^91 COLUMBIA UNIVERSri\ LlliRARihb. StW YORK as part ortliu Foundations oi Vcsierii Civilizaiion Preservation Project Funded bv the :^^ ' ^' g:;. iL endowment for the humanities Reproductions may not be made vMihuui permission from C^^iinihia. Universitv Lihrar.' COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of tlie United Stales -- Title 17, United States Code - concenis the making of photocopies or other productions of copyrighted material . Columbia Universit}^ Librar\ re.ser\ es the right to refuse to accept a cor }■ order itc in its'judgement, fulfillment of the order \\ ould in\ i ^'"- t^-ianon of the copyright law. AITTIOR: VIATER ) m TITLE: ENDEAVOR Tu REMOVE DOUBTS PLA CE : BRIMNGHAM DA TE : 1811 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT BIBLIOGR AH 11 C Mil KujUkv; i^uHFT Master Negative # Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record 944 24 Viater, J. Endeavor to- remove doubts and prejudi ce nation' ^ P--^ility of obtaxning peace with all nations, on safe and honourable terns. Biraingham 1611. o. I6p. by ^i'^s^:i\ No. 8 of a vol. of pamphlets. Restrictions on Use: TECHMCATMTcROFORivTb^^ FILM SIZE: ^^__/22£n _ REDUCTION RATIO: ?/^ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA (g^ IB IIB _ DATE FILMED: ig__LQ_-_gi_ INITIALS i=e__ FILMED BY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. INC WOODBRIDGE. CT %. ^ A^'^ffc % % o t>^o.^ r Assiicialion for Information and Image Management 1 1 00 Wayne Aven ue. Suite 1 1 00 ' Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 12 3 4 iiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiili 10 11 12 13 14 15 mm 111 rrr I I I 5 6 7 8 Mllillllllllllllllll| ||l||l |llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll rrrrj TTT lllllllll[llll|llli | llll[ll Mil llll III! Inches 1.0 I.I 1.25 Urn \ 2-8 2.5 ■ 5.0 1^ 1 ^-2 ■iH II ^^ 2.2 ■ a.3 t 1" ■^ 4.0 2.0 1^ t u L.ku. 1.8 1.4 1.6 MfiNUFRCTURED TO flllM STflNOnRDS BY APPLIED IMAGE, INC. J.. ,i.i H ^ % AN ENDEAVOUR TO REMOVE DOUBTS AND PREJUDICE, By shewing the PossibiUif OF OBTAINING PE AC WITH ALL NATIONS, ON SAFE AND HONOURABLE TERMS; WITH REMARKS On War, Peace, Commerce, t^c. ^c. BY J. VIATER. Hear both parties, tliqn let Justice and Humanity hold the Scale. enteren at €)t.:tioner3 '^^SL :<9>. TlJiriuingljam : FEINTED BY 11. PEART AND CO. :},^, BULL-STRELT, 1811. SSf AN ENDEAVOUR TO REMOVE DOUBTS, 4c. ADVERTISEMENT. How miiHifaroits are the sentiments and dispositions of man/and. t/irouoh ivhat dijferent mediums do they view things. How various their ideas and coiiceptions; and what diversity/ of conclusions do they draw. Truth is the aim of ever i/ cojtsiderate mind ; and most think theij possess it. But from the variety of opinions entertained on the same subjects, it is clearlij manifest that but very few enjoy the blessing. Truth being but one, ivhen two differ on a subject or mode, one must be wrong. If a Million disagree, all may err, yet only one can be correctly true. The principal causes are prejudice from Education, and drmv- ing conclusions without evidence, from a persuasion of their own knowledge, which too often shuts the mind agmmt conviction : should the evidence in support of truth, find it's way, few are willing to renounce their errors^ or a confession of the least mistake. Hence many are driven to the use of evasion or sophistry ; till they are given up to self delusion, to believe the grossest absurdity : common observation, are evident proofs of the same. A S a just, safe and lasting peace /* attainahte, and that it is not so, •^^lias not as yet probably been decisively ascertained, it may most truly be obicrYcd^ that there is no country luider heaven which may derive such benefits from peace, as Great Britain. Possessed of a marine, superior to that of all the rest of World; and of the most extensive colonial ter- ritories that ever acknowledged obedience to a parent state : superior in Capital, in Ingenuity, in Industry, and in Mercantile Probity, I liope to add f'irtue, to every nation upon Earth ; what can she wish for, but for that fair and opeil competition in which she may be left to the free exer- tion of her resources and the full use of her energies. In a state of War she has her equals, in a slate of Peace she has noKe ; It may be ihe policy of a country slroiig in arms, but inferior in commerce and manufactures, to promote her interests by force, and to compel other countries subject to, or dependant upon her, to rest satisfied with such articles as she can furnish, to the exclusion of the superior manufactures of other countries ; hut of this Great Britain stands in no need. All that she has to ask, is a fair and open market, ivltar the skill of her Artificer's^ and the spirit of her Merchants, may have their proper spliere of action. This the restoration of Peace would no doubt soon afiord ; and by this happy change, some compensation Avould be made to the eountry, for the disadvantages aud losses which it has for many years sustahied on account of the War. The present grand objection to peace is, that if it were once established^ it would enable France to raise a marine, % which apprehensions are enierthined, she mi^ht overpower the British Navy, and subjugate th^ Country. France, notwithstanding her increase of domhiion and extent of coast, is not naturally disposed to become a great naval power. Neither her iii^ terests, nor the genius of her inhabitants incline her to it. 1^) Great Britain, commerce is an oltject of the first importance- Ta France it is only secondary. Abounding with almost every article of ne- cessity and of luxury, she can in a great measure, dispense with foreign supplies ; and her marine, except tvhen slie has been compelled to make a few temporary efforts, has scarce at any time been more than a navy of defence. Even in her most prosperous times, and under Jthe most am- hitious of her Sovereigns, the states of Holland have been her superiors ; a circumstance only to be accounted for by the extent of her maritime commerce, and the naval genius of their inhabitants. Apprehensions it is true may be indulged tiH they approach to insanity ; and they who have A % (' contemplated tlie astoiiishing atcliievonicnts of Buonaparte l>y land, seem to suppose tlrdt wh(*ii he turns his atten;ion to naval aiiairs, lie would iu- «^tantly be successful. But in the pnsent situation of France, the chhs are wholly dissimilar. In contondini; Wilh t!ie nations on tiie contiuciii he has had the advantages of that acJuiowlcdged military skill natural to the French Nation; of nnmliers, in general, equal at least to most of his nemie^, and of talents concentrated in himself ancf his chief oHicfrs, 1k'- vond all that modern times have known. By sea all this is, at present f lactii/ the reverse. Neither the natural inclination of the peoph*, the number or equipment of his sliips of war, including those of ait /lis ailita, and dependants, nor the experience and skill of her connnandcrs, are in any degree to 6f compared with those of Great Britain. That superiority which we at present cnjoi/, a state of peace would enable us not only to retuiny hut to improve. In our great colonial possessions and evteiiaive maritime connnerce, we possess advantages beyond any thing that France can boast of; and as these are the primary foundation of maritime strength the ratio of our increase in a state of peace, must independant of premnt .sHperiorifi/, exceed that of France, in a degree proportioned to the su- perioritjj of our resources. Our counnunders and seamen tc»o, distinguished by naval exploits of unexampled luroism, are already formed by loni,^ experience, and will beat all times ready to suppoit the glory of tlic Hritish name; whilst the naval counnanders of France yet remain to l>o •reated, ami can only be formed by a long series of hostile discipline. It j^ not in a state of j)eace that such atchieveuients are made ; and therefore unless France be compelled, by causes which may probably depend upi*ii ourselves, to make extraordinary exertions to raise a navy, and Irahitu.ite her orticers and crews to naval discipline; there is little probability that, in this respect, she will ever attemi)t to become formidable to Great Britain. [f the building of ships could form a navy, anrl if the Frejich ruler be inclined to buihl them, he may acct>mpiish it at various ports, in his own dominions, or of those of his alhes, without danger of their being destroy- ed by the British Fleet, even if his harbours were more exposed ; his immense artillery and his num»Tou< armies, might be employed in defend- •ng them against any hostile attack, until he had raised a Fleet which lie might suppose sutticiently powerful to contend with our own. However, J'rance is not now a naval power, and in a state of tranquility would be ->iill less likely to attempt it. Sup[K»sing that Peace between France and :ireat Britain were establi.died, it is not the task of a Day, a Month, or a • tar, to create a navv. We cutli armaments in the ports of France and Holland as had been alledged, had taken place, nor no measures had been adopted to prepare that navy, with which they were to overwhelm the Heets of Great Britan and to subjugate the Country. Notwithstanding the present hostility between Great Britain and France, there is reason to hope that by a seasonable and temperate ex- position of the views *of the two countries, the foundation might be laid for that slate of tranquility which is so greatly the interest of both, Whatever may be the language of Bonuaparteiu regard to ships, colonies and connnerce, these are not the objects to which his views will probably be directed. Much as he has already done, much yet remains, even after the restoration of peace, to consolidate and secure his newly acquired dominions, to ascertain the relations and contirm the fidelity of his de- pendant states, and to lay tirm the f(»undation of lliat monarchy of which lie is ambitious to be tiui founder. If we interfere not with him in these transactions (and it has abundantly appeared that alUouj opposition ex- cepting Spain and Portugal whom we now assist has yc t proved ineffectual) he is not likely to entertain the vain hope of rivalling that njaritime supe- riority, of which if he were to attempt to deprive us, his eiforts it is hoped and presumed would be in vain. That this supposition is well founded, appears from the uniform tenor of a late negociation," by the olfer on the part of France, not only to sunender Hanover and Malta, but to relinquish to us her territories in the East Indies, to add to our possessions in the West, and to guarantee to us the Cape of Good Hope. If it had !)een the object of France to increase her maritime strength and her colonial territories, would hex ruler have proposed to surrender lu^r foreign possessions to this Country { Or would he not rather on the contrary, have gni.^j)ed at those distant ac- quisitions, and have sought in the plunder e of the last 20 jears ; few probably will object to tlje following supposilioii. * Further information concerning this negociatlon, mai/ he seen in a IVct^k, entitled, " Considerati(»ns on the causes and crinsequences of the present War, and on the expediency, or the danger of Peace with France." By William Roscoe, Esq. Printed by J. iM'Crefry, Fhtt-sirtet, forT. Cadell, and IV. Davis, Strand, London, I SOS ; from the Utter part of nhich Work, the major part oj the foregoing, with ^amt additions, <^t. is fiiracltd. 6 viz. had those immense sums wliich havr hcen cx|)cnde(i, in war, been ap- propriated in promotiii!]; tlie arts, the agriculture, and the iiifenial oecommiv of tliii couutry, wc should have raised ourselves to justly mo\ver the means of great irational prosperity ; with our inanul'actures at home, with our iniu- kets in the East and West Indies ; with the imports from the colonies, and that intercourse with the rest of the world which these advantagis w ill al- ways command, who can contend (in a natur;d point of view) with us ? At the same time the instruments of our prosperity, are the instruments of our saiety, and the increase of our navy, as before observed, the increase of our strength, and our true interest would be to meet the bounties of Providence, and to improve its blessings ; and if laudable and practicable means are adopted, there is great probability of preventing future ca- lamities. For since the commencement of the Revolution in France, mil- lions of human beings, sharers of the same nature, warmed with the same hopes, and as fondly attached to life as ourselves, have been |)rematurcly swept into the grave ; each of whose deaths has probably pierced the heart of a wife, a parent, a brother, or a sister. How many of these scenes of complicated distress have occured since the epoch before stated, is known only to the Lord : but that they are inimmeralde cannot admit of a doubt. In some parts of Europe, perhaps, there is scarcely a family exempt \ Though the whole race of man is doomed to dissoUition, and we are all hastening to our long home ; yet, at each successive moment, life and death seem to divide betwixt them the dominion of mankind, and life to have the larger share. It is otherv.ise in war : death reigns there without a rival, and vvitliout controul. War is the Work, the element, or rather the sport and triumpii, of death, who glories not only in the extent of his conquest, but in the richness of Iiis sj>oil. [n the other methods of at- tack, in the other forms which death assumes, the feeble and the aged, who, at the best, can live but a short time, are usually the victims ; but here it is the vigorous and the strong. It is remarked by the most ancient 9f poets, that in peace children bm\y their parents, but in war parents hury their children : nor is the diflerence small. Children lament their pa- rents, sincerely, indeed, but v\ilii that moderate and tranquil sorrow^ which is natural for those to feci who are conscious of retaining many tender ties, many animating prospects. Parents mourn for their children wiih the bitterness of dispair ; the ai,ed parent, the widowed mother, loses, wlwn she is deprived of her children, everi/ thing but the capacity of suf- fering; her heart, withered and desolate, admits no other object, cherish- OS IK* other hope. But to coj)hiKM)ur attention to the number of the slain, would give us a very i>wde the humanity of the enemy, and carried from the field, it is but a prolongation of torment. Conveyed in uneasy vehicles, often to a remote distance, through roads almost impassable, they are lodged in receptacles ill prepared for the wounded and the sick, where the varieties of distress, batHes all the efforts of humanity and skill, and render it impossible to give each the attention his situation demands. Far from their native home, no tender assiduities of friendship, no well- known voice, no wife, or mother, or sister is near, to sooth their sorrows, relieve their thirst, or close their eyes in death ! Unhappy man ! and must thou be swept into the grave, unnoticed and unnumbered, and no friendly tear be shed for thy suficrings, or mingled with thy dust? Let it, however,^ be remembered, that as a very small portion of the miVii'dry \i{e\6Siieni'm actual combat, so a very small part of its miseries must be ascribed to that source. More are consumed by the rust of inac- tivity than by the edge of the sword ; confined to a scanty or unwhole- some diet, exposed in sickly climates, harrassed with tiresome marches, and peq)etual alarms, their life is a continual scene of hardships and dan- gers. They grow famdiar with hunger, cold and watchfulness ; crowded into hospitals and prisons, contagion si)reads amongst their ranks, till the ravages of disease exceed those of the enemy. We have hitherto only adverted to the suflferings of those who are en- gaged in the profession of arms, without taking into our account the situa- tion of the countries which are the scene of hostilities. How dreadful to hold every thing at the mercy of an enemy, and to receive life itself as a boon, dependant on the sword. How boundless the fear which such a situation must inspire, where the issues of life and death, are determmed 8 by no known laws, principles or customs, and no conjecture can be form- ed of our destiny, except so far as it is dimly decyphered in tin? characters of blood, in the dictates of revenge, or the caprices of p(>wer. Conceive but for a moment the consternation which the approach of an in vadin^j ar- my would impress on the peaceful villages in this neighbourhood. \Vhen you have placed yourselves for an instant in that situation, you will learn to sympathize with those unliappy countries which have sustained the ru- vages of arms. But how is it possible to give an idea of these horrors? Here you iK'hold rich harvests, the bounty of Heaven, and the rew;ird of industry, consumed in a moment, or trampled under foot, while famine and pestilence follow the steps of desolation. There the cottages of pea- sants are given up to the flames ; husbands and sons taken captive, and oft compelled to fight against their own khulred ; mothers expiring thro' fcar, not merely for themselves, but for their infants also ; inhabitants tlv- ing with their helpless babes in all directions, miserable fugitives on their native soil! In another part you witness opulent cities taken by storm; the streets where no sounils were heard but those of |>eaceful industry, filled on a sudden with slaughter aiul blood, resounding with the cries of the pursuing and the pursued ; the palaces of nobles demolished, the houses of the rich pillaged, the chastity of virgins and of matrons violated, and every age, sex, and rank, mingled in promiscuous massacre and ruin. To acknowledge tlie hand of God is a duty indeed at all times ; hut there are seasons when it is made so bare, that it is next to impossible, and therefore signally criminal, to overlook it- It h almost unnecessary to add, that the present is one of those seasons. If ever wc are expected to l>e still, and know that the Lorfl he is God, it is on the present occa- sion, at a crisis so unexampled in the annals of the world, during which, scenes have been disclosed, and events have arisen, more astonishing than any that history has furnished, or romance could feign ; that we are com- pelled to lose sight of human agency, and to acknowledge, that herein " is the finger of God" The contest in which we have been lately engaged, is distinguished from all others in modern times, by the nundKT of nations it has embraced, and the animosity with which it has been conducted. Making its first a])- pearance in the center of the civilized world, like a fire kindled in the thickest part of a forest, it spread, during ten years, on every side, burnt in all directions, gathering fresh fury in its progress, till it enwrapped the whole of Europe in its flames, an awful sjwctacle to behold ! What place can we point out to which its efl'ects have not extended! Where is the nation, the family, the mdividual, I might almost say, who has not felt its direful influence. If vou had wished to figure to yourselves a country which had reached the utmost pinnacle of prosperity, you would have undoubtedly turned your eyes towards France, as she a])peared a few years before the revolu- tion; illustrious in learning and genius; the favorite abode of the aris, and the mirror of fashion, whither the flf ancient wisdom, *< There is no restraint to th< Lord, to save bi/ manf B / ■, -n.,, ,,.;■!.■ .sji. ;^Sy|55?^:Sjtf^5;I^58f n:,5f«!g-;|epS^ 10 or hy few" 1 Sam. xiv. v. 6. — ^The question does not even turn upon our natwnel religion, di mere lip asae fit to the doctrines of revelation, and a mere tserbel confession of faith giounded in such assent; experience (Us nionstiates the sad possibility, that a man may repeat a national creed, and yet have no religion. The enquiry, therefore, is virtually this : Have we ani/ religion, or have we no relij^ion 1 For if we have no sight, no senso, no liorror at, no detestation of those abominationsy tiiose anti-christian principles ami practices in the world, which are contrary to the word and the holiness of JESUS CHRIST, we may then take it for an undeniable truth, that as yet we have Jio religion, let our profesaion be what it will But if we sion, purification, redemption, and regeneration, by fulfilling his holy and eternal laws— we may rest assured no dangers can approach us ; for, *' Who is he that shall harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good.'' 1 Pet. iii. v. 13. and again, *' IVhen a mans icays please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.' Prov. xvi. V. 7. Although all wars are inimical to the peace of society, contrary to the laws of God, and to the prosperity of the world, yet we are not to say, that every nation, or person engaged therein, is from an evil principle. Ko ; if an individual be justified in defending himself and property, agaiust the thief or murderer — so likewise is a kingdom in its defensive and offen- sive operations, against any other nation attempting its injury or destruc- tion ; and also when solicited to assist a neighbouring kingdom, exposed to the unjust attacks of some powerful tyrant. It will be impossible ta justify a national war, upon any other grounds than these. Permit me to advise every reader to cultivate true patriotic principles and mutual affec- tion. The country where we are born, live, and enjoy our temporal, earthly, social, and religious blessings, ought to share our regards ; all llic powers and abilities we possess, should be devoted to its prosperity ami Ijappiness. In contemplating the vicissitudes of human power, there is something that irresistibly fills the mind with awe. When we look back to what was the stale of Europe a few centuries ago, and contrast it with what ive are now spectators of, have we not sufficient cause to say, " Great and mar- vellous are thy works. Lord God Almighty I Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints ; therefore let the inhabitants of the earth fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come,'* Rev, xiv. 7. XV. 3. Such remarkable changes excite in the minds of many, sentiments of re- verential awe, as if a divine hand were sensibly exhibited before their eyes. They view with astonishment the convulsions of society, the change of empire, and the dreadful scenes of desolation, which are still in pr^'- gression, and which still threaten the ancient, yet tottering establishnunls of man. Without being able to trace, from the visible eftects cromling upon them, those hidden causes which are alone adequate to produce? them, some naturally enough ascribe them either to the ambition ot ^n lu- I 11 ^\^?.„.a., or to the sagacity of his eo-adjutors; while some again consider (he whole as the necessary consequence of mere corruption in the fallen, and falling states : in either of which cases human prudence, or impru- dence, is held up to view as every thing, and the divine providence as no- thing. Others there are, who, being struck with amazement at the i-api- ditv, as well as the extent of the changes, find themselves compelled to acknowledge something of a supernatural agency directing the course of human aihiirs, and thereby accomplishing the divine purpose: but being alike ignorant of the connection subsisting between causes and eftects, and of the established order by, and according to which the divinb AGENT uniformly md invariably eftects his will; they rashly ascribe to the same all-merciful and benevolent Being, both the evil and the good, the calamity, and the blessing; forgetting that " Out of the mouth of the Most High, proceedfth not oH and good. " Lr.m. iii. 38. But that the Lord is good to all, and that his tender mercies are over all his Works." Psalm cxlv. 9. It must appear very Evident to a reflecting mind, that some most extra- ordinary chanj:e has taken place in almost every nation in Christendom, j)ailicularly with respect to the liberty of thinking about religious sub- jects : this spiritual freedom, finding the most inv(!terate obstacles, to its free reception on the continent, from causes before mentioned, an alarm- ing state of desolation ensued, which swept away the whole fabric of this ancient institution, and at length produced that great result; for the sake of which no doubt, the preceding convulsions were permitted, namely, the present separation of the Gallican church from the spiritual power of the Pope, against which, indeed that nation had long contended, but here- tofore without success. This new situation of reiigious liberty, as it ef- fects the spiritual and eternal interests of so great a portion of the inhabi- tunts of Europe, is of infinitely more importance than many have been led to suppose, (although the accomplishment has been attended with dread- ful scenes) nevertheless it claims the tribute of gratitude aiid adoration to that wise and merciful Being, who in all his dispensations to man, elicits good out of real or apparent evil, and finally leads to himself, all who are ^^illingtobe led. Who could have supposed in so short a period, to have seen the sub- version of monasteries, the ruin of their priesthood, and the complete dis- solution of the papal power; and in all probability will be succeeded by similar events in some other nations, for Divine prophecy will be fulfilled. For that very power which once compelled an Emperor of Germany to wait whole days, barefooted, at the gate of the pontifical palace, humblv^ imploring to be again admitted into the bosom of the church; of which power all Europe trembled, is annihilated, by the descendant of a mean in- habitant of a small island in the Mediterranean ! Permitted by that invisible hand which executes all its pur])oses among men after the coun- sel of his own will — who " raises the poor from the dunghill, that he may set him among the ptyices of his peojik." 1 Sara. ii. 8. We see this extraordinary man disposing of crowns and sceptres, and humbling to the very dust the most monstroui power that ever a|>peared B 2 12 13 upon earth, and who profesited to he the followers of him who was " meel aiid lowly in iieart ; who came into this world " not to destroy men's lives, but tosave.'y Luke ix. 56. Amidst the crimes and calamiiits of the present age. it is great consola- tion to a reflecting mmd, such a loide field of utility as that which Divine Providence has opened to the British and Foreign Bible Society, which was first adojited, in the metropolis of England, and is aiihid hy great num- bers of all dawminations, in several cities and towns in the Uuited King^ dcnus ; the luunbcr of Bibles and Testaments already distributed at home and abroad, are innuense— it is hoped subscriptions will continually be ad- ded. Its formation w iil constitute a new icrea in the History of Religion. For whereever the Scriptures are generally read, the standard of morals is raised, the public mind is expanded, a si)irit of enquiry is excited, and the sphere of intellectual vision inconceivablij enlarged. It gives us to reflect, that w hile the fairest portion of the globe has fallen a prey to that guilty and restless ambition, from causes before described ; which, by the inscruta- ble wisdom of providence, is permitted for a time to take peace from the C'drth; this favoured country is emi)!oyed in spreading the triumphs of truth multipli/iifg the means of imtr action, and openhig som7t ^5 of consolation to an afflicted world. In these eventful limes, so pregnant ivilb dijjicnltits and dangers, it is hoped the luunerous and w orthy jiromotcrs of tins most noble institution, viz. Tlie British and Foreign Bible Society, will use their utmost exertion to extend their benevolent eflbrts yet i\irther,by miiiiv^evny laudable and practicable attempt to restore peace and tranquility to a dis^ tracted and disturbed world. This pruise-worthy undertaking of the So- ciety, for promoting the extensive circulation of the Christian Scriptures, or Revealed Will of the Creator, are acts of infinite importance, and which Sacred Repository, teach us to ascribe no value to any works, but those of true piety and virtue. They teach us to worship God in spirit and in truth ; to love him supremely ; to be grateful for his favours, and resigned to his dispensations; to trust in his mercy, and rejoice ip his government; to dismiss all anxious cares and apprehensions; and having employed the means which infinite wisdom has apiH)inte(l, to leave the event witli infinite goodness. They teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves; to forgive him when he has injured us; to bear with his infirmities, and to excuse his follies ; to w ecp w ith him in his (hs- tresses; when he is in want, to aflbrd him our assistance, and to i\o to Mm as we should thhik it iitaml reasonable that he should do tons. They teach us to love even our enemies, and to render them otfices of kindness^ when their circumstances call for commisseration. They teach us to go- vera our appetites and passions, to be chaste, humble, and temperate. They teach children to reverence and obey their parents, and parents to love, instruct, and provide for their children. They teach the husband coi^jugal fidelity and affection; and the wife, the peculiar duties of her station, and the amiable virtues which adorn the sex aiid bless the mar- riage union. They teach masters lenity, and servants faithfulness. They teach rulers to exercise their authority for tlie public good ; and persons m private life, not to withhold honour and submission from those under whose wise and just admiuistrution they lead quiet and peaceable fives In short, the affluent and the poor, the prosperous and the afl3icted, the a?ed and the young, may all find their duty in the Holi/ Bible, a book, if we did but know it, iull of wonder, life, wisdom, goodness, and power, because full of God ; according as it is written, *' The Word was with God and the Word was GoD." John i. 1. In its contents it is replete with the spirit, and life, and blessing of Jesus Christ, as it is again written, " Mi/ words are spirit, and they are life J* John vi, 63.; and iif its effects it is productive of the conjunction of God with man, and of man with God, agreeable to the declaration of the Great Redeemer* *' If any man love me, he will keep my words." John xiv. v. 23 . If the prohibitions of Jesus Christ, who is the Creator, Redeemer, and Regenerator of mankind, were universally regarded and his laws obeyed, what blessings would pour in on society. There would be nor wars among the nations of the earth, no oppression, no tyrants, no slaves. Every ruler would be just; every citizen would be honest ; every parent would be faithful to his charge ; every child would be dutiful ; the purest affection would recommend domestic life ; and neighbours would be mu- tual blessings ; thus influenced by the spirit of christianit}', envy, pride; and jealousy, would give way to the most enlarged benevolence. Humaa nature would recover its dignity ; and evei-y man would reap tlie present reward of his own virtues. Peace no doubt would be the result if either of the parties would come forward^ and thus address their formidable foe. Enough of human blood lias streamed in a conflict, which, as it advances, appears to throw its ob- ject and its termination still farther from our hopes. Where both parties Lave been perhaps violent, ambitious and culpable, recrimination is folly ; let us forget past animosities, and let our future contention be, which shall prove the most anxious desire to restore peace to an afl3icted world. Our conquests are inimical to the rights and liberties of the human race ; let us both retire within those boundariei which nature and the reason of things evidently prescribe. Mutually irritated and disappointed in our projects, invective and abuse have so far estranged us, that common negociation will not suit our uncommon case ; let us then consign it into other hands. Let us invite the most enlightened, and the most beneficent of mankind, wherever they may be found, and renouncing our partial and selfish claims, let us appeal to the dictates of humanity and common sense. Let their tiieatre be the world, and their object its present pacification, and its fu- ture happiness. Should their deliberations end in the conviction, that the peace and welfare of the world would be promoted by every country pos- sessing its own internal and independent government, let us be prepared and willing to make mutual and necessary sacrifices, with this hope for our recompence, that whatever »m^ be lost in territory, will he amplyyepaid in commerce, and its corresponding prosperit i/. If universal peace should then cause a redundant population, let us encourage future colonization, but never again with the idea of subjugating distant territories to European controul. In amity with every portion of the habitable globe, let our ar- dour and enterprize be mutually directed to national honour, established 9U the imperi;>habk basis of trutli, of virtue, and of universal happhies^. .■ii.au;.itiaa.jii!t^Ar.««8<.- ■. h^^ I n ii flirllftTtnlft'ifir iTli fTiliiir "' ¥ 14 With such viewg, may that Providence on whom we equally profess to re- ly, smile on the attempt; and posterity sliali hail it with their unaniniuus and fervid hlessings. Should these suggestions be said to savour of the wildness of romance — It shall be admitted, if the i)rohal)ility of their ado[)tion is to be consider- ed as the sole test of their nit lit. But are they absnrd, are they imprac- ticable, are they such that the attempt fo att npon theni would end in anarchy and confusion. After a coiiHi( t of near twenty years, with a loss of perha}>s a million of lives, can an honest man lay Ids hand upon liis heart, and say, that he believes that every thiuij; has been done that iiinni- nity could devise, to prevent the beginnhig and the continuance of sudi deplorable calamities. IIow can any objector prove Ihat no good effect would be produced by the general recommendation of pa( ific principles ? For it may reason- ably be expected, if as nmeli zeal was employed in favotsr of |>eacc, which is probably employed in favour of war, it would not be bcslowcd in vain — and ifthetolal evil cannot be immediately removed, will no approximation be worth the altenipt ? Would it not be prudent for every teacher of religion, to hold war in aversion, and exert his abilities and influence to lessen the sum of htujiun calamity. The like zeal which once so powerfully operated in the aboli- tion of the slave trade, would have the desired effect, and war would m vet more disturb the tranquility of the world. — How weak and feeble niiht be those arguments, viz. that if peace tvas obtainedy we should proballv soon have war: such reasoners may f)e compared to a person atflicled with illness ; who obstinately refuses medical assistance, l>ecause at a future penodt he may have a return of the same complaint: or like a person sur- rounded with flames, refuses to escape ; because at some future period he may he in a like situation. Others object that the war takes off those who hi times of peace, wonld endanger their life and property. But could no means be adopted In an enlightened age \o lessen the evil. — Would it require One hundredlh purt of the annual expemliture of war; to keep the abandoned, viz the thief or murderer, (in time of peace) from committing depredations on society, or corrupting others; — places miglit be established, and proper governors appointed to sui)erintend them, win re they could do no such mischief,— but on the contrarv, work at some useful emplovment, and means ut- tempted for their rcformatitm. — Few uill admit that the morals of the peo- ple are improved by war — Reason, Flumanity, nor Revelation, teaches us •* to do evil" that " good may come," In proportion d^this grand injunction left on record for mstmction, is fulfilled, viz. *• Whatsoever ye would that men should do fo you, do ye even so to them." Matt. vii. v. 12. — all wars, dissensions, and disputes l»e- tween nation and nation, will subside; the slaughtering sword no lon<:er will be drawn; the lust of power, dignity, extent of dominion, and ambi- tious pursuits, will be subdued and laid aside ; great men will become good men, and set an example to their Inferiors ; (livine, moral, and civil laws will be revered and obeyed, froui the love of virtue, and the blessed- •It 15 ness of peace, and evil will gradually dscrease : the lord JEsrs CHRIST more j)oweiful, more joyfully received, and more faithfidly improved ; jove, charity, benevolence, justice, truth, si^briety, conjugal affection, and every virtue v. ill be cultivated ; mankind brought into divine order, conjoin- ed with Jesus Christy blessed with the spirit of religion and virtue, heirs of the eternal kingdoni, and uniting with each other in harmony, peace, and love, to make their passage tiuough this world comfortable and hap- py, and their state in the world to come, more exalted and glorious. — The effects of this change, and of these heavenly virtues, will be manifest in the bodies and constitutions of men; aflljctions, misfortunes, and ca> laniities, will decrease ; and even outward nature will be renovated, and return to a more pleasing state; the seasons, the elements, the animal and vegetable creation, will experience a corresponding change ; all nature wear a more delightful aspect, and the whole earth prove a blooming pa- radise. — See Leviticus, Chapter 26", throughout, JMay nations a|l, may Britons turn to God, Reform their lives — escape the vengeful rod : Be this the highest ol)ject, aim, and end, The HEART TO PURITY— THE LIFE AMEND. Peace is the desire of humane men, and their feelings are shocked at the mere recital of human misery. O ye worthy of this description, b(* firm and even ofHcious in pointing out the cause of wretchedness to unin- formed men, and your salutary efforts w ill be productive of general haj)pi- ness, and will soon effect an universal veneration for the olive branch ; tliis will produce a speedy revival of the relaxed and languishing commerce of nations ; it will give lasting permanence to mercantile correspondence, connections, and advantages ; it will establish the mutual dependance of nations and individuals upon a solid basis; it will impart an effective influ- enre to drooping virtue and humafiity; it will give lasting exercise to in- dustry and talents, and plenty will be the lot of all the human race. It may be objected (for this is no new excuse) that the morality which the Gospel inculcates, is too refined for common practice, and that it is not to be understood in the sublime and expanded sense which the li- teral meaning of his precepts may convey— that society could nf>t be held together with its present imperfections, on so refined a plan, and that sup- posing a large majority to act npon such principles, they would be tramp- |o(l upon and outra<^ed by the unprincipled few. Our blessed Lord saitli, ** A new commandment I give unto you, that ye lov9 one another" John xiii. v. 34. :^5. ; and, as a distinguii,hinf; cha- racteristic of a true christian, the Lord further adds, *' By this shall uli men know that' ye are my disciples, if ye hare lore one to another." ■ Love is the grand cement, which unites heart to heart, and man to man ; <>ne part of the community cannot do without the other— every man is iu his own order, when the Lord is in the midst, therefore as reconciliations i'eem absolutely necessary between nations, societies, and individuals, it would be adviseable to endeavour to approximate, and e^^pect i)otl|ing HOlhin'' perfect, till you yourself are i)erfect, and all others above and lie. low TO*u. To know the cause of our present iiicouveniences, and not en- deavour to remove them, is surely the greatest folly. Therefore, let Lov e to God aud man expand your bosom, and animate your creed : such, be assured, is the spirit of the Scriptures, the life of religion, the disposition of everi/ angel, and the life of every good man. To conclude— Were we to divest ourselves for a moment of that irrita- tion of miml and inflexibility of heart, which blinds us to all the evils and horrors of war, it would be impossible that we should not acknowledge the calamities it introduces, and feel a most sincere disposition to terminate them. If we turn our eyes to the continent of Europe, what devastatiou and slaughter has it occasioned from the confines of Russia to the southern extremity of Italy ! If we look to Egypt or South America, we still find the same cause for sorrow and regret. At no period of society have the contests of the field been more obstinate, or attended with such a profuse destruction of human life. To the sufferings and the death of the thou- sands who have fallen, we are to add the misery and the rum ©f the tens of thousands who survive them, who have to lament the death of their re- latives, their protectors, and friends ; languishing in grief, hunger, and wretchedness. Nor though this country, from its insular situation, has hiterto been exempt from these horrors, can we flatter ourselves that we bave escaped uninjured. Even the higher classes of the community deep- ly feel, in the increasing burthens of the state, the eff'ects of the long con- tinued system of warfare in which we have been involved. It is true, all this and much more ought to be suffered, if we have an object m view adequate to the sacrifice. For life itself cannot be better lost than in the iervice of our country. But to be apprehensive of distant dangers and insensible to those which are immediately impending, is surely