RESOLUTIONS OF THE VERMONT CONVENTION.

Ar a meeting of the Vermont Convention of Congregational and Pres. hyterian Ministers, in September, the following Resolutions, were adopt. ed unanimously.

"Whereas the religion of the gospel is a religion of peace and love, and whereas it appears evident to this Convention, that, for a long season, Christians have been too much under the influence of a popular de lusion, in favor of the custom of war, which is equally hostile to the spirit of the gospel and the happiness of mankind. Therefore,

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Resolved, That this Convention view with approbation and pleasure the efforts which have recently been made, by benevolent individuals and by Peace Societies, in our own country and in Europe, to lead Christians to a consideration of the real spirit of their holy religion, and of their true interests, on this important subject.

"Resolved, That it be recommended to Christians in our connexion to favor the object of these benevolent individuals and Societies, with their countenance and influence, and to unite with them in their exertions to diffuse light on the subject of peace and war, that men may learn how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

VERMONT PEACE SOCIETY.

IN October of the last year, a Society was organized at Montpelier in Vermont, by the name of the Vermont Peace Society. It then consisted of about 50 members. The following gentlemen were elected as officers :BENJAMIN SWAN, Esq. President.

Hon WM. CHAMBERLIN,

Vice Presidents.
Hon. CHARLES BULKELY, S

Rev. LEONARD WORCESTER, Cor. Secretary.

Col, EZEKIEL P. WALTON, Rec. Secretary.

Doct. JOHN CROSBY, Treasurer.

SAMUEL ELLIOTT. Esq.

Hon. LUTHER JEWETT,

Rev. CHESTER WRIGHT,

Elder

STERLING,

Rev. WALTER CHAPIN,
Col. EZEKIEL P. WALTON,

Directors.

AUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCES.

I. THE Committee of a" Society for the prevention of Pauperism," in the city of New York, have under consideration a " Plan of Conciliation for adjusting differences by mutual agreement, instead of resorting to the forms of litigation in courts of law. We may in a future Number be able to give a more full account of this "Plan," and perhaps of its

adoption. Our correspondent informs us that a similar Plan has been adopted in Denmark; that in the three years preceding this establish ment, 25,521 causes came before the courts of law, and in the three following years but 9,653-making the astonishing difference of 15,868 law suits in three years.-A result not less favourable might be anticipated from a well organized "Plan of Conciliation for adjusting differences" between nations, instead of resorting to the horrible" forms of litigation" in a field of battle. What a change will there be in the state of society when men shall be taught to love one another!

11. The "Missouri Question" has awakened a spirit of philanthropy and inquiry, which promises favourable results. We hope at least that our countrymen will be led to reflect on all the various forms of Slavery, and of the slave trade, which are admitted in this land of freedom and equal rights. The condition of our regular troops and of our seamen on board the ships of war, is not less deserving of commiseration, than that of the blacks who are doomed to servitude in the southern states.

III The Presidents of five Insurance Companies in Boston have for warded a Memorial to the President of the United States on the subject of Piracy-accompanied with a list of 44 piracies in the course of 1819, collected from the Boston Daily Advertiser. This Memorial on the increase of Piracy is well timed and well adapted to favor the object of Memorials on privateering, and other licenced depredations. Governments, to be consistent and successful in their efforts to suppress Piracy, must lay the axe at the root of the tree, and cease to authorize evils of a similar character. The commands, "Thou shalt do no murder," "Thou shalt not steal," should be as sacredly regarded by governments, as by private individuals; and it is not a less evil to rob or murder for the benefit or glory of a nation, than for the benefit of a company of pirates. Hence,

IV. Of all the recent occurrences, there is perhaps no one more auspicious than the admirable Report of the Committee of Congress on Foreign Relations, respecting the Memorials for the abolition of Privateering. This Report, at the commencement of 1820, may be hailed as the MORNING STAR of better times, the harbinger of a more benevolent policy among Christian nations, and “a happy new year." We admire the candor, the rankness, and the magnanimity of the Report, as well as the evidence it displays of a solemn conviction, that the present laws of nations, respectng maritime war, may justly be termed "a barbarous code." The friends of peace in all parts of our country will rejoice on seeing such a disposition in the National Legislature, to diminish the motives as well as the evils of war, by putting an end not only to Privateering, but to the whole system of maritime depredation on private property. the subject is now referred to the Secretary of State, with such a digni. fied expression of the desires of Congress, may we not reasonably anticipate a more general manifestation of public sentiment, by Memorials to the President in favor of the object; and that similar exertions will be made by our brethren in Great Britain and other countries, to insure a general consent of governments to the just and humane proposition? V. The Resolutions of the Vermont Convention of Ministers, and the organization of a Peace Society in that State, will rejoice the hearts of the wise and the good.

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VI. A question has been proposed in Congress, whether a law may not be enacted for the suppression of duelling. The proposer seemed to doubt whether it could be extended any further than to the army and navy of the United States. We hope, however, that the law will extend so far, at least, as to embrace all the Members of Congress, and all who hold any office of honor or profit under the general government.

VII. Questions have also occurred in Congress, whether too much money is not expended on our military and naval establishments, or in preparations for war? We hope that these inquiries will ultimately lead to another-whether too little money has not been expended in preparations for peace?

NOTE ACCOMPANYING A SUBSCRIPTION.

NEVER did I, with more satisfaction, contribute a small mite for any purpose, than my annual subscription to the Peace Society. When I consider the inseparable connexion between the character of a friend of peace and a friend of the religion of Jesus Christ, I can but wonder how any one who is in fact the latter, can avoid avowing the former. For to be a subject and son of the King of peace, and at the same time profess a spirit of war, revenge, or bloodshed, are in my view incompatible. But the increasing light on those subjects, and the growing cordiality there is among professors of different orders, has a favourable aspect. Let the followers of Christ, with one united voice, determine to become practical followers of their master, the King of peace, and what a powerful Peace Society would they form! Their weapons, though not carnal, would prove mighty to the pulling down of strong holds. Their influence would be far superior to any military preparations for preventing the atrocities of war. May the embassadors of the King of peace unitedly lay aside the use and encouragement of all carnal weapons, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, which is, in all respect, best calculated to redress wrongs, and promote peace on earth, and good will among mankind. A. F. P.

Notices to Members of the M. P. S.

It was proposed to publish the Report of the Treasurer of the Mass. Peace Society in this Number, but we have failed of receiving it in season. It may perhaps appear with the Catalogue, which will soon be published, or in the next Number of this work. With some reluctance, however, we now state, that several hundred dollars had been expended for the Society, for printing and Tracts,-prior to the last Annual Meeting, over the amount which had been received by the Treasurer. Some of which has since been paid, but considerable is still due from individual members; and it is hoped that this intimation will induce all delinquent Members to forward their subscriptions without delay-either to the Treasurer, or to the Corresponding Secretary.

According to the amendment of the Constitution of the Society in June 1819, the annual subscriptions are to be paid on or before the first of February in each year.

By paying three dollars, any person may now become a Member of the M. P. S. entitled to a copy of the eighteen Numbers of the Friend of Peace for past years, and to those which shall be published in the course of 1820. The subscription is one dollar annually; and this is the fifth year of the Society

Copies of the Solemn Review, and of all the Nos. of the Friend of Peace are constantly for sale at the Boston Bookstore, by Cummings and Hilliard, and by J. W. Burditt, No. 94 Court street, Boston.

J. W. Burditt is now Assistant Treasurer of the Society, and will receives ubscriptions, and deliver copies to such as wish to become members.

prevented, had enlightened principles and a christian spirit governed the parties.

On these principles and with this spirit, the now United States might have been separated from Britain, without the sacrifice of a single life, or one drop of human blood. In the same manner the Spanish provinces of South America might have become independent states, much to the advan tage and honor of both parties, and with the saving of hundreds of thousands of lives, vast treasures, and an inconceivable amount of human sufferings. Except from the principles and spirit of barbarism, there was not, in either of these cases, any more necessity of war, than in the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, or in the separation of children from their parents, when the former become of age, and desire to establish independent families.

A division of the United States is often spoken of as an event which can never occur, without being accompanied with the horrors of a civil war. We have no desire for a separation of these states; and we hope the period, when such an event will be deemed necessary, is so far future, that, prior to its arrival, the diffusion of the principles of peace will preclude even the thought of a recourse to war, and that the example of Massachusetts and Maine will be deemed by all the states as worthy of imitation. The government of enlightened principles and the exercise of benevolent dispositions, are all that is necessary to perpetuate peace.

It was a pleasing circumstance that the people of Massachusetts and Maine were able to agree on all the details for a separation. But had it been otherwise, the path of wisdom would have led to an amicable reference of the disputed points to some intelligent and impartial men. Had it been necessary, we have no doubt that this course would have been adopted; for the management of the affair was not under the direction of barbarians, but of men civilized and enlightened, of men who preferred the way of peace.

But as war has often accompanied the division of a state or a nation, some light may be thrown on the subject, by