timore, for the purpose of considering the best method of promoting 360 the efficiency of our testimony against war, and the propriety of inviting other religious denominations to unite with us in an effort to induce those in authority to settle national and international disputes without a resort to the sword. Such Committees were appointed accordingly by nearly all the Yearly Meetings on this Continent, and the Conference assembled in Baltimore on the 14th of 11th month, 1866. The following is a brief report of their proceedings: THE report of work amongst the Freedmen, in this number, is not lengthy. Friends will bear in mind that many have gone to their respectivə fields of labor late in the fall, and that this is only the commencing of a new year. We also desire not to tire the reader with accounts containing too much sameness. We would remark to the Friends of Indiana Yearly Meeting, that the work is going on; heavy expenses have been incurred, we have given our obligation to supply teachers at two popular centers which we were obliged to do or give up those places to other associations. Friends of Western. Ohio, and Iowa went into subscription at their Yearly Meetings which furnished their Committees with funds to proceed, and we trust our meetings will be prompt to forward their proportion of the $16,000 directed by the Yearly Meeting, or divide it into quarterly subscriptions, if this seems most suitable to the circumstances of Friends. We desire that Friends may be encouraged and cheerfully contribute towards the physical relief and christian enlightenment of these little less than heathen, in our own land. JOSEPH DICKINSON. THE Executive Committee of Indiana Yearly Meeting meets on the third day after, and Western on the second day before the last Secondday in each month. James C. Thomas, James Carey, John Scott, John B. Crenshaw. From North Carolina-Jno. Carter, Allen U. Tomlinson, Wm. Nicholson, Isham Cox. Seth Barker. From Ohio.-Ezra Cattell, Jesse Green, James Farmer, Wm. H. Ladd, John Butler, Parvin Wright. From Indiana.-Daniel Hill, Isaac P. Evans, Murray Shipley. From Western.-James Kersey, Nathan Elliott, Allen Jay, Dougan Clark. From Iowa.-Joseph D. Hoag, Jeremiah A. Grennell, James Owen. Wm. H. Ladd remarked that the members of the Ohio delegation, in view of the fact that they might probably be expected to suggest the proper business of the Conference, were brought very low, so as to feel that they were almost ready to sit in silence, with the prayer arising from each heart: "Lord, more light!" He then proceeded in an interesting manner, to point out the necessity of a more thorough and enlightened understanding of the principles of peace, amongst our own members, saying, that however we might deplore the fact, it is nevertheless true, that many of our members do not have an intelligent view of the Gospel of Christ as a gospel of Peace. Our creed or declaration of faith asserts the principle that all war is unlawful for Christians, but the father who should teach his son the letter of that creed, and then sell a horse to a cavalry officer for ten dollars more than he could get for him to plow with, would probably not see much benefit from his teaching. He proposed, on behalf of the Ohio delegation, that the Conference should inquire, 1. In what manner can we promote with the greatest efficiency amongst our own members, a more enlightened understanding of the Gospel of Christ as a gospel of Peace? 2. In what way can we most successfully promote the diffusion of Peace Principles amongst others? The Conference was then dipped into a deep feeling on behalf of our own Society, and after an animated discussion, the exercise gradually assumed the shape of wishing an address, to be prepared for our individual members, on the principles of the Gospel as a Gospel of Peace. Samuel Boyce, of New England, had not been able to see that much could be effected by this Conference, and had felt more low than usual; but he could respond to the expression of Holy Writ, "Draw me and I will run after thee." He was glad that the feeling on behalf of our own members had arisen, as from combined action with other Churches, the New England delegation would feel somewhat restricted. In this they could heartily unite. He alluded to the Conference held during the war for the purpose of trying to obtain relief for Friends from the operation of the draft laws, and remarked that the delegation of Friends who then visited the Secretary of War, assured the latter, that our Society could not accept the provision by which they were allowed to give a pecuniary consideration for the privilege of exercising the Rights of Conscience, and that the position taken by the delegation was acceptable to the Conference. James Owen was glad to hear that remark, as it had been understood in the West, that the action of Congress on that subject was satisfactory to that Conference. John B. Crenshaw said that the feeling and action of Friends in the South during the war, was precisely similar to that just described. and whenever money was paid in lieu of military service, it was done under protest. Robert Lindley Murray thought we had the machinery for educating our own members in the principles of Peace, especially in our day schools and First-day schools. Jeremiah A. Grennell remarked that he was surprised at the time of Iowa Yearly Meeting, to see three hundred teachers assembled in a Teachers' Association. Let this subject be brought to the attention of teachers, and through them let Peace Principles be inculcated in the schools. In one word he would say agitate. William Henry Chase thought we that the Christian is not permitted to should take a hopeful view of the be a magistrate, that his citizenship subject. We had passed through a and allegiance are in heaven; whilst fiery ordeal, and there was scarcely others suppose that the Christian the smell of fire upon our garments. magistrate can wield the sword, for George W. Taylor and Samuel the punishment of evil doers. Our Rhoads, of Philadelphia, were pres- young Friends are liable to these diffient, and were cordially invited by the culties, however honestly their minds Conference to take part in its delib- desire the Truth. He would have erations. been glad to hear how his friend from New York removed the difficulty from the mind of his son. He would not introduce anything that is not clear to our own minds; but if there are certain points calculated to bewilder the young mind, which we can clear up, let us do so. Interesting communications were received from Friends of London and Dublin, expressive of their lively sympathy with the objects of the Conference, and intimating that these written communications were sent in lieu of a deputation. Benjamin Tatham thought these should be placed on minute and receive the consideration which would be due to an actual deputation. He remarked that the fact that Friends were looking anxiously to this Conference from every part of the world, ought to have a tendency to increase our sense of responsibility. He illustrated the manner in which the subject before us strikes the mind in time of excitement, by an anecdote. His little son. twelve years of age, when our late war began, remarked to him. "Father, I think the Society of Friends are useless lumber now." "Why so, my son?" "Because, they have enjoyed all the advantages of the Government, and now, when it is in danger, they will do nothing for its defence." William H. Ladd remarked that the address should have an individual bearing to as great an extent as possible. If the Conference could appoint a Committee to go to every member of our Society in the world, and present the address, saying, "Thou art the man!" we could do more good than in any other way. Dougan Clark remarked that as it is an enlightened understanding of Gospel principles, that we are aiming at, the removal of some difficulties may be necessary. Questions perplexing to many minds, arise out of our relations to the civil government. The magistrate beareth not the sword in vain; hence some of the most intelligent minds of our age conclude Dr. J. C. Thomas thought our Socicty had been marvelously preserved, during the war, and a record of these favors would have a tendency to strengthen our members and confirm them in the maintenance of Peace Principles. Such an account should have a place in the proposed address. George W. Taylor, of Philadelphia, remarked in substance, that it is important that we should not overlook the fact, that it is "the work of rightcousness which is "peace; that while peace is our object, yet we are assured that "there is no peace to the wicked." With nations as with individuals, there is almost always some violation of the principles of justice, on one side or the other, which leads to strife, contention and war. After instructive and interesting remarks from various other Friends, the Conference adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION. Ezra Cattell made some animated remarks, calculated to encourage Friends to lay hold of the work before us with energy and zeal. John Butler said it had been his lot to mingle with Friends considerably in various localities for a few years past, and he was inclined to believe, from his own observations, that there are nearly or quite one half of our own members not thoroughly established in the principles of Peace. Murray Shipley was anxious that the subject should be brought before the attention of the young, especially in our Institutions of Learning. He King of Kings. He is in the world, spoke approvingly of the plan adopt- but not of it. He is to be subject to ed at a large Friends' School recent- "the powers that be," but only so far ly visited by him, at which prizes as they require nothing which is forwere offered to the young people for bidden by his own King, with other the best essay on a given subject. In suggestive and interesting thoughts, this manner they might be led to in- William H. Chase had been inexpresvestigate the principles of Peace and sibly pained at what he had heard. become indoctrinated in them. Whenever he had been inclined to take a hopeful view of the future of our Society, he had looked to the West, and now to learn that such numbers there were unfaithful to our principles of Peace, had caused his spirit to mourn. In his own vicinity he did not know of a single Friend who had volunteered. William H. Ladd remarked that he had been informed that the distinguished Governor of Indiana had stated to the Secretary of War, when requesting relief for Friends from the operation of the draft-law, that more Friends had volunteered for the war in that State, than any other denomination, in proportion to their numbers. Robert Lindley Murray thought that in our address to Friends, we should insist on a simple obedience to the commands of Christ. He said that in a certain Sabbath School, one of the teachers was questioning his class on the text, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." He asked them, "Children, how do the angels do God's will?" One child answered, "They do it promptly." A second, "They do it thoroughly." A third, "They do it cheerfully." After a pause, a fourth child exclaimed, "Why, teacher, they do it without asking any questions." He thought we should recommend an unquestioning obedience to the expressed will of God. Jeremiah A. Grennell thought Friends should not be too much discouraged. He supposed Governor Morton's statement, if he made it at all, was a strong one, perhaps an overestimate. Numbers of Friends in the West had joined the army, it is true, but many of them had come forward with offerings to their Monthly Meetings, and are now more attached to our principles than ever before. Isaac P. Evans was not ready to believe that one-half of the members of our Society in the West are not wellestablished in Peace Principles; nor yet the statement ascribed to Governor Morton. It was only in the excitement of the earlier period of the war, that considerable numbers of our Friends had enlisted. Very instructive remarks were made by Francis T. King, Joseph Cartland, William Nicholson, and others, but as it was not in our power to take notes at the time, our memory fails to do justice to them. Near the close of the sitting a committee was appointed to prepare an address to the individual members of the Society of Friends, and produce it to a future sitting. An interesting private letter from Dr. J. E. Rhoads, of Philadelphia, was read to the Conference. He remarked that we are too much in the habit of interpreting parts of the sayings of Christ very literally, as for instance, "Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you," &c., whilst other points we explain away and interpret them allegorically, such as, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. Sell that thou hast, and give alms," &c. He said the In the evening an exceedingly inChristian must abstain from wars and teresting Bible Class, which has met fightings, because the kingdom to regularly for several years past, was which he belongs is not of this world. held at the residence of Dr. J. C. His citizenship is in Heaven, his alle- Thomas, attended by nearly all the giance is to the Lord of Lords, and members of the Conference. The Then adjourned to Fifth-day morning at 9 o'clock. lesson was the first few verses of the fourth chapter of Exodus. Some of the discussions were very entertaining and suggestive. The exercises closed by a season of solemn worship. FIFTH-DAY MORNING. The Conference entered upon the consideration of the second point proposed by the delegation from Ohio: How shall we most effectually promote the diffusion of Peace Principles amongst others? Daniel Hill said that the clergy, most of all, need to be set right. It was only a day or two since that he heard an eminent minister sneering at the principles of peace. We could not expect the laymen to embrace these principles whilst their spiritual instructors are so blind to them. William Nicholson remarked that the clergy are often rather the expounders of public opinion than the creators of it-the leaders of the people are led by the people. William H. Ladd said he seldom found candid persons of any religious denomination who would not admit that when Christianity shall prevail on the earth wars will cease. If he then asked them why Christianity is to eradicate war, they would generally grant that it is because their principles are antagonistic. The point could then be closely pressed, that if war and Christianity are antagonistic there can be no warrant for Christians to sanction or engage in war. Interesting observations were made by Joseph D. Hoag, Francis T. King, William C. Taber, Samuel Heaton, James Kersey, Ezra Cattell, and Samuel Boyce. The time was limited and the discussions necessarily short. A Committee was appointed to prepare an address to all professing Christians, and produce it to a future sitting. The regular meeting for worship, held at 10 o'clock, was a favored one. Lively testimonies were offered by Daniel Hill, Ezra Cattell, Jas. Owen, Jonathan Devol, Isham Cox, Nathan Elliott, and an excellent discourse and prayer by Jeremiah A. Grennell. The afternoon session was occupied with the discussion of the propriety of seeking the co-operation of other religious societies, in an effort to induce those in authority to settle national and international disputes without resort to the sword. The New England delegation thought themselves restricted by the minute of their appointment from taking part in such movement, and some Friends gave their individual opinions against the proposed co-operation. Others on the contrary, thought it desirable to enlist all Christian people in a united effort to bring about universal peace. The discussion assumed considerable latitude, and it was finally decided by the Clerk to be the prevailing sense of the Conference, that way does not open for co-operation with other denominations on this subject, at present. |