degradation are inseparable evils. +II. It is the tendency of Christianity to produce peace and elevate women.+ 1. _To produce peace in its loftiest and widest sense Christ came into the world._ The prophet Isaiah predicted Him as the Prince of Peace (ix. 6). At His birth angels sang, "Peace on earth, good-will to man" (Luke ii. 14). 2. _By His atoning work He has laid the foundation of peace between man and God,_ and consequently between man and man. 3. _The direct influence of Christ's religion is to restrain and destroy those evil propensities out of which wars originate--lust of greed, ambition, malice, &c._ What is in the individual comes out in the community. As individuals and nations become truly Christian and form the majority, wars will cease. 4. _Prophecy speaks of a time coming when the principles of Christianity shall be in the ascendant,_ and then men shall beat their swords into ploughshares, &c., &c. (chap. ii. 4). 5. _As the gospel of peace advances in a land woman's condition is always elevated._ The Christian man honours woman as no other man does. As he grows into the stature of Christ, woman's lot is always happier. Compare woman's status in pagan, Mohammedan, and barbarous lands, with her status in Christendom. +III. Hence while the Gospel claims as its advocate every Christian man, it has special claims on the service of every pious woman.+--Every good man is called upon to spread the blessings of Christianity as widely as possible. But there are some evils whose removal appeals specially to pious women. Every good woman should throw her influence into the aggregate of the peace spirit, as against that war spirit which in certain stages of civilisation seems so natural to man. All women should join together to make up an army of peace promoters, outnumbering the men of the sword. To relieve their sisters from sorrow and save them from degradation, should be the aim of all good women.--_William Parkes._ FOOTNOTES: [1] See note to preceding outline. THE DIVINE IDEAL OF ISRAEL REALISED. iv. 2-6. _In that day shall the Branch of the Lord, &c._