When talents and virtue are combined in the same character, and they are devoted to promote the best interests of the human family, we may anticipate effects of a beneficial nature to grow out of their Labours;— I have had at times to imajin myself in the society of my friend J. Jay, and to contemplate his sequestered and retired situation, as peculiarly calculated, not only, to fit and prepare his spirit for the abodes of Joy and felicity, eternal and uninterrupted; but while cloathed with mortality, and a candidate for heaven, to be engaged in the great, the all important work of promoting the spiritual good, and the temporal welfare of men.—

Great exertions are making in order to distribute wide & extensively, the holy Scriptures; Light and knowledge are spreading, and much is doing towards enlightening the mind, and softening the hearts of mankind, but there is one very great and formidable evil, which has long prevailed, even among the professors of christianity; and untill it is done away, will ever counteract the efforts of pious men, and impede that reformation in life and manners, which the Gospel inculcates, and the religion of Jesus Christ is calculated to inspire— I allude, as thou may conclude to War, and its train of baneful consequences: I have indulged a hope, that thy pen has been engaged in developing the subject, and in preparing something for the Press, evidencing to the World, the result of thy reflections on a question, which I presume must go to prove, that Wars and Fightings are inconsistant with the doctrines of the Gospel, and very repugnant to the mild and pacific language of the heavenly host, at the ushering in of the new dispensation, at the birth of Christ— “Glory to God on high, on Earth, peace and good will to Men.”—1 I have no doubt, thou hast thought deeply, and read many productions on the subject— permit me however to solicit thy acceptance and perusal, of a piece, entitled the friend of peace.—2 five numbers have been published— also, some Letters to Caleb Strong, late Governor of Massachusetts.3 I cannot conceive a more desirable and happy application of time and talents, and a devotion of heart, (especially when the curtains of the Evening are drawing) ^as in^ promoting the advancement of the glorious work “of peace on Earth and good Will to Men”— that so, “the knowledge of the Lord may cover the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea.”—4 As it may not be uninteresting to thee to peruse part of a letter I lately recieved from my brother,5 thy old friend, and Colleague— the following is an abstract.—

“My native land is advancing in Arts and Sciences, and in the prosecution of a multitude of useful occupations: May the light and knowledge which are breaking in upon you, not only conduce to your temporal convenience and enjoyment, the comfort and pleasure of a short life upon earth; but prove the instruments of preparing you for the felicities of an endless life! Your institutions for disseminating the holy Scriptures; for civilizing, and I hope, evangelizing, the native Indians; and for promoting universal Peace; are noble undertakings, full of promise, and of such immense magnitude in their effects, that if they who are engaged in them, could possibly foresee these consequences, they would probably be doubly animated in their hopes and exertions. There is no reason to fear, that a well-tempered zeal will urge too ardently, in pursuits of a nature so highly conducive to the best interests of man.”6

When we reflect on the success attendant on the exertions of the philanthrophist, in promoting the abolition of Slavery, may we not hope, that the christian may be no less successful in advancing the cause of Peace; The influence of avarice and prejudice may have been as great in the one case as in the other, and they are to be overcome by the power and efficacy of that religion, which breathes peace on “Earth, and good will to men.”— I should anticipate very great good from a person of thy standing in the community, dedicating his talents, and the residue of his time, in advocating the peaceable principle, and in demonstrating to the world, that War is not consistant with the doctrines of the Gospel?—

Thou hast been an early and decided advocate in promoting the abolition of the Slave Trade, and its concomitant, Slavery— I crave thou may be even more distinguished, and rank among the most active co,adjutors, in the cause of universal Peace; believing, as no doubt thou does— “That the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of it, joy and assurance for ever.”—7

From the interest I feel in thy welfare, and that thy last day’s may be thy best day’s, I sincerely desire, that as thy outward man is gradually declining, thy inward man, the spiritual life, may be growing stronger, and stronger— that finally, as thou may be drawing near the solemn close, thy spirit may be so redeem’d and sanctified, so fitted and prepared for its celestial destination, as to be enabled to adopt the language of one formerly, when about to quit this earthly Tabernacle— “Come Lord Jesus, for thy servant is ready.”—8 With sentiments of esteem, I am truly Thy friend