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"This is as it should be. If all the world then were sistent Christians,' none would carry arms, they would learn war no more, they would beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks, and the visions of the prophets be fulfilled. Nothing, by Mr. English's confession, stands in the way of the prophesied peace of the world, but that all men should be 'consistent Christians.' But this is not all, Mr. English in his haste to accumulate objections to our religion, has not only passed this compliment upon Christianity, in saying if it were consistently and universally professed, there would be no more wars; but he has shown that he knows upon what principle this blessed event would take place. A Christian, says he, who ought to love his enemies, is he not guilty of the greatest of crimes, when he inflicts death upon a hostile soldier, of whose disposition he knows nothing, and whom he may, at a single stroke, precipitate into hell? If all then felt the force of this single command of our Lord, and faithfully obeyed it, not another drop of blood would be shed on a field of battle, and the desolation of mankind would cease. This is the state of peace, which the prophets foretold, and which only waits for Christianity to be consistently believed, that it may universally prevail. A peace founded on the only sure basis,-principle and affection." Defence of Christianity, pp. 64, 65.

The reader will observe that these writers agree in the following particulars-That christianity and war are totally repugnant to each other--That to be consistent Christians men must cease to be warriors-That if all men were " consistent Christians," war would be abolished.-But while Mr. English makes the pacific and forbearing character of Christianity a ground of reproach, Mr. Everett regards it as an excellence, and a proper ground of praise. If peace is better than war, or love better than hatred, Mr. Everett's opinion is doubtless correct. The following inferences appear to be just.

1. That Christians, in practising or encouraging war, have grossly departed from the spirit of their religion.

2. It is very important that the gospel should be propagated among all nations by consistent Christians.

3. It behooves every professed Christian to inquire, whether he is a "consistent Christian ?"—and whether any man can be justified in professing that love to enemies which the Gospel enjoins, while he is disposed to "precipitate them into hell," or to glory in their destruction by others?

4. Nothing more is necessary to put an end to the wars of Christendom, than to persuade professed Christians to be "CONSISTENT"-to cease reproaching or denying their Lord by encouraging and praising the feats of war.

Some deistical writers have ridiculed the pretensions of Christians to a peaceful religion, while they have equalled, if not surpassed, Mahometans and Pagans in the love and practice of war. To defend Christianity from such imputations, its friends are compelled to admit the inconsistency of Christians, in violating the precepts of their religion. Shall then the ministers of the Gospel never exert their influence to wipe away this foul reproach of inconsistency, and to persuade both rulers and subjects to renounce war and become "consistent Christians ?" If the sword shall come through their neglect or their uniting in the praises bestowed on war, at whose hands will the blood be required?

SUCCESS OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.

THE Royal Humane Society was formed in 1774. By its Annual Report in 1821 it appears that this institution had been instrumental in restoring to society 5020 persons in the metropolis and its vicinity; and that within 40 years it had rewarded 20,320 persons for their exertions in saving the lives of men exposed to untimely death.

Behold the contrast between War Institutions and Humane Societies-the one for destroying, the other for saving! By the former, means are devised and employed for hurrying men out of the world by the hand of violence; by the other means are devised and employed for rescuing men from untimely death. In the one case, men are trained to the work of destruction; in the other, they are trained to the work of salvation. In the former case men are paid and applauded for successful efforts to kill innocent brethren, and the greater the slaughter the greater the glory and praise; in the latter, men are paid and commended for benevolent exertions to preserve human life from untimely extinction.

Tò a philanthropic mind it must be a pleasing thought that 5020 persons have been rescued from sudden death, by one Humane Society, in the course of 47 years. There are other Humane Societies besides the one in London. What their success has been we know not; but we may suppose that the persons saved by other Humane Societies within the 47 years added to the 5020, will make the aggregate 15,000. This is surely a goodly number to be saved by a few such Societies, and the promoters and patrons of these institutions are entiiled to great respect as saviours of their species.

We may now cast an eye on what has been effected by the ⚫ War Institutions of Christendom within the 47 years of the Royal Humane Society. It is believed that it will be a moderate estimate to suppose, that they have, in the 47 years, destroyed fifteen millions of human beings. In this estimate we include the wars of Christians in North America and South America the wars of all the Christians of Europe, and the wars of Britain with the nations of India. Though we believe the estimate to be short of the reality, the amount of destruction is awful. The whole population of the United States in 1820 fell short of two thirds of the supposed havoc of war by Christians in less than half a century! Yet these War Institutions are pretended to be-and by many are thought to be, Saving Institutions. But if the Royal Humane Society had actually destroyed 5020 lives, instead of saving them, what would now be said of it? Should we not believe that there had been something hollow in its professions of humanity, or something radically wrong in its plan and operations? Would it not at once be said that the Institution ought to be immediately abolished, which had produced so much mischief under the pretence of doing good?

MR. LIVINGSTON'S PLAN OF A PENAL CODE.

IN February, 1821, the Hon. Edward Livingston of Louisiana, was appointed by the Legislature to prepare a Penal Code for that state. In about a year he made a long report of a plan for that purpose, of the principles on which the Code would be formed, and a few specimens of particular parts of the system. This was approved by the Legislature in March. 1822. Should the Code be completed on the principles of the report, and finally adopted by the Legislature, Louisiana will probably possess the most complete and humane system of penal laws of any state in the union. The spirit of philanthropy and mercy is so associated with the spirit of justice, and a concern for the rights and interests of individuals so incorporated with solicitude for the general welfare, that the laws must command the esteem and veneration of the wise and the good, and have a salutary influence on the community at large. It is believed that it would be of very great utility if the principles and reasonings of the Report should be generally diffused throughout the United States. They would have a powerful tendency to promote the cause of philanthro

py, as well as to enlighten the minds of men on many interesting questions. The character of the laws is to be paternal and not vindictive. Hence capital punishments are wholly excluded. The reasonings of the Report in favor of this pol icy are forcible and impressive.

We have noticed Mr. Livingston's Report in this work in the belief that what he has done must have a favorable influence to promote humane and pacific principles. Could such principles as he has advanced be properly disseminated, and duly impressed on the minds of men, and such humane laws as he proposes be adopted in all the United States, the people would soon be able to discern the barbarity of appealing to the sword as a tribunal for deciding controversies among rational beings.

TOLERANT SENTIMENTS OF GOVERNOR CLINTON.

"A RESPECTABLE portion of our fellow citizens, recommended to our favorable notice by virtuous lives, exemplary habits of industry, and their zealous cooperation in all benevolent undertakings, are conscientiously opposed to bearing arms and to the payment of fines imposed for non-attendance in the militia. A complete relief can only be effected by the interposition of Congress, or by an alteration of the Constitution: and that it ought to be granted I entertain no doubt. A sufficient equivalent is already rendered to the state by the exclusive support of their own poor, besides their full participation in the maintenance of the poor in general. In this enlightened age, when the rights of man are fully understood and practically asserted, it is surely not compatible with the tolerant and liberal spirit of the times, to wound the consciences of our unoffending fellow men." Message to the Legislature, Jan. 1825.

How slow is the progress of light! How inconsistent are the professed friends of liberty and the rights of man! Is it not surprising that the governor of New York, at this day, should have occasion to call the attention of the legislature to the sufferings inflicted on peaceable men, who are persecuted by fines and imprisonments, because their consciences will not permit them to spend their time in learning the art of killing their brethren, or in becoming familiar with the work of popular manslaughter? But New York is not alone in this species of cruelty. The Friends and Shakers are indeed exempted from such persecution in Massachusetts; but other eople of the same sentiments as the Friends, in respect to ng arms, are still exposed to suffer.

EXTRACTS FROM RECENT LETTERS.

From the London Peace Society.

Dated Jan. 27, 1825. "We now send thee 18 copies of No. 11, and 18 of No. 12, of the Herald of Peace-25 copies of our 3th Annual Report."

"Thou wilt see by No. 12 of the Herald that a Peace Society is established in Ireland-May it tend to assuage the heats of party which distract that unhappy country. We have been endeavoring to arouse the attention of the Ministers of Religion in this country to that part of the duties of their profession by which they are called on to promote the pacific reign of Messiah, by sending them a set of our Tracts, accompanied with a circular. We have also in the press a new Tract, which I expect will be published before we send to thee again."

Signed-" JOHN Bevans."

From William Cobb, Esq. of Warwick Peace Society. "Our Annual Celebration in this town far exceeded any former attempt on this occasion. The weather was fine, and consequently a large collection, some from other towns. The meetinghouse was very handsomely illuminated, and the exercises performed with solemnity and effect. The address delivered by Timothy Read, Esq. was pathetic and impressive. The uncultivated passions of men, the history and object of the Peace Society, the horrors of war, its demoralizing tendency applied to our own experience, its opposing character to the dictates of reason and the injunctions of Scripture, together with many original ideas on the subject, were most happily portrayed. Our choir of singers were well prepared for the occasion, and their performances, united with the other exercises of the evening, appeared to have a very desirable effect upon the auditory. I am much in favor of these annual celebrations. They seem to give publicity and currency to the cause of peace, and bear down opposition with a gentle hand. Under such a prudent course of management I think we may soon nail our banners to the topmast, and under orders from our great Commander ride triumphant over the surges of opposing sneers, and the boisterous billows of human passions."

From Dr. J. Battle of Raleigh Peace Society.

"Raleigh, Jan. 31, 1825. "Dear Sir-I feel as desirous as ever to continue our correspondence on the subject of Peace-though I can say but little that can prove interesting. However, the Tracts I sent for some months ago, at my own expense, were received by the Society, and I was paid for them.-I again send $20. I have it in contemplation to travel in the spring to the south and the west. I