During  a raging war in Eastern Europe (the Crimean war 1853-56) Fredrika Bremer bravely tried to unite Christian women of the world  in a Peace Manifestation.
 
 
 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES 

Sir,  - You have kindly and liberally on two occations given publication to articles from me, and if I venture a third time to request of you such a service it is because, this time, I can hope that you will do it with pleasure, as no selfish motive prompts my request, but a better thing, which I will leave to you to judge. 
     The enclosed article will be published at the same time (the end of this month) in the papers of Sweden, Russia, France, Germany, and in the United States of America, and of couse I must above all things, wish that it may be published in England, whose tongue is now spoken over so greate a part of the globe. I wish it also because I know that no hearts and minds in the world will be more ready to respond to the proposal made in the article than those of the benevolent and 
high-minded English people, and I wish, Sir, that it may be published by your paper, as I know that The Times is received as a sign of the times among all civilized peoples. May you receive favourable my request, and may God bless you, as you will thereby be an instrument to the advance of His kingdom on earth.I remain, Sir, with high esteem, yours truly, 

FREDRIKA BREMER. 
Stockholm, August 14. 
 
 

            THE  TIMES,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  28,  1854
 

             INVITATION  TO  A  PEACE  ALLIANCE

     At a time like this, when the Powers of the West arm themselves against
those of the East, and enter into a struggle threatening to spread, over
several of the countries of Europe like a large bleeding wound, tearing
men from their homes, leaving thousands of widows and fatherless
children, destroying harvests, burning cities, filling hospitals,
calling up bitter and hateful passions, laying shackles on commerce,
embittering life in many thousand quiet, industrious families - a
struggle, the sorrowful effects of which possibly may be felt by most of
the nations of the earth, - at such a time we have ventured a thought, a
hope, that through women a peaceful alliance might be concluded,
embracing the whole earth - an alliance opposing the direful effects of
war, and contributing by united and welldirected efforts, under the
blessing of God, to the development of a state of peace, love, and
well-being, to come forth when once the terrors of war shall be over,
and the time of devastation has passed away.
     Since the beginning of this century charitable associations of women
have been formed in the larger cities of most Christian countries,
perhaps in all, though we do not know of their existence. They have
worked, jointly or individually, for Christian purposes. Their aim has
been to relieve, partially at least, the misery prevailing in the world,
and to promote the coming of better times, especially by spreading the
Word of God, by teaching and caring for children, by trying to call
forth the energies of the poorer classes. Hitherto, these associations
have acted mostly without connexion with each other, scarcely knowing of
each other's existence. We know, however, by daily experience the powers
of association. United exertions to promote a common acknowledged aim
strengthens the individual and increases the general amount of energy.
It exercises a powerful attraction on those who stand indifferent, or
otherwise isolated from the general movement, which thus grows in power
and influence to an extent not to be calculated. Drops of water united
have formed the ocean, atoms united the universe.
     We wish, therefore, to propose that the associations of Christian women
formed in various places of the earth, humbly aiming to fulfil the law
of love laid down by Christ himself, may hereafter enter into connexion
with each other, and strengthen and extend their activity by united
exertion and consciousness of a mutual aim. This aim we consider to be -

     Care of the destitute, under the following leading heads: 
     Caring for children by means of a Christian education, for families by
exercising Christian influence, by the distribution of work and its just
reward;
     For the sick and the aged, by affording them protection and help;
     For prisoners and other fallen fellow-creatures, by compassionate
exertions to raise them from their sunk condition.
     And, finally, by encouraging all institutions and means aiming to
promote such purposes.
     We believe that, by a connexion between the many different associations
all having these and similar aims, much more could be done than what is 
done at present. We believe and feel that we want the encouragement
which would thus be afforded by reaping the fruit of each other's
experience and example.
     To be able to realize such an alliance we would propose, -
     1. That there should be a committee in the capital of each country,
which should enter into communication with all the different female
societies of that land, gather all particulars relating to them and
their work, and thus be able to take a survey of the whole.
     2. That each central committee, being the organ of circulation for all
other societies in that land, should, through its secretary, or some
other corresponding member, communicate to the central committees of
other countries the principal details of the work of female societies in
its own, together with accounts of such industrial efforts or good
institutions standing in connexion with the aim of the society that have
arisen in their country.
     3. That a printed circular containing these details may be sent, free of
postage, at the end of every year, from every central committee to all
those of other countries with whom they stand in communication.
     Without enumerating various countries, we venture to express our belief
that there are not many on the earth incapable of taking part in such an
alliance, partly because they profess to be wholly Christian countries,
partly because in them Christian communities have risen here and there,
and continue to arise more and more, beautiful green spots in the middle
of the desert. We venture to hope that in the regions near the Pole, as
well as in those under the burning sun of the tropics, in the old as
well as in the new world, wheresoever one living spark of Christian love
is glowing, there Christian women will unite with each other to
alleviate the miseries of the earth, and plant seeds for the kingdom of
God; and we hope and believe that these will not refuse us the hand of
fellowship.
     We propose an alliance in the name of the Prince of Peace, extending its
healing, regenerating influence over the whole earth - an alliance in
which diversities of language, of national character, of climate, of
custom, of Christian denominations, may be regarded as of little import
in comparison with the aim, the language, the heavenly hope, the Lord
and master we have in common. In these we propose to consider ourselves
as having the same native country, as belonging to the same family, and,
whatever diversity of opinion there may be among us, yet to join hands
as sisters, and recognize as our children and relatives all those, of
whatever nation or denomination they may be, who are bereft and unhappy,
and whom our care possibly can reach.
     Sisters, then, whom we do not know as yet, but in whose existence we
believe and hope, here and there among the ancient kingdoms of Asia, the
steppes of Siberia, or in the Imperial cities of Russia; sisters of the
western countries of Europe, who have lighted and guided us a long time
by your bright example; and you, sisters in that vast new land beyond
the Atlantic Ocean, whose homes we have just learnt to know as nurseries
of all Christian virtues; and you, Christian women among the nations of
Africa; Christian women in the isles of the South Sea; mild, loving
sisters, all over the earth, in whose existence we believe, though we
have not seen you, whom we love without even knowing you - give us your
hands! May the earth thus become encircled by a chain of healing, loving
energies, which neither ocean nor event, neither discord nor time, can
interrupt! Let us unite to form an alliance eternal as God's own being;
for war shall come to an end, and »tongues shall cease, and knowledge
shall vanish away, but charity shall not fail; charity abideth for
ever».
     We ought now to tell you who they are who thus address you. We are
Swedish women, united for the care of poor orphans and destitute
families in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. We can rejoice in the
cooperation of our Queen, and the humblest woman can join us, and,
taking care of a family or a single child, rise to the dignity of its
guardian angel on earth. We have recently entered into connexion with
the societies of women, daily becoming more numerous, in different parts
of this country, in order thereby to strengthen and encourage each
other.
     We are a little flock, and belong to a small nation, but we rejoice that
from this nation have risen great men and benefactors to humanity. We
are a little flock, but we rely on His word who has said - »Fear not,
little flock, it is your Father's good will to give you the kingdom.»
     It will be ours, if we believe in Him, follow Him, and obey His
injunction, »If thou lovest me, feed my lambs.»
     There are times and circumstances which call upon us to follow the
divine prescription, »Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. »We obey
this to-day. The not less divine, »Take heed that you do not your alms
before men, to be seen of them», we would take for our rule during our
daily exertions for the good of the whole.
     Sisters, who acknowledge the same Lord, let us unite in His name; let us
call forth every good gift and healing power He has given us; call them
forth prayerfully, diligently to do His work more fervently than ever
before. As far as the sun sends his rays and the free winds blow over
earth may our peaceful messages fly like doves from land to land, from
city to city, undisturbed by the bitterness of strife, so that the world
may know that the God of Peace and Love is more powerful than the spirit
of war, and that He calls us to be His servants.
     Each separately we are weak, and can do very little, but if, in the name
of Christ, we unite our hands all around the earth and take it in our
arms as a child, we may pray and hope that He will allow us at the end
of time to come before our Heavenly Father, saying - »Here we are with
the children Thou hast given us.»
     We close here with the desire and entreaty that the female societies of
foreign lands who wish to reach us the hand of fellowship would, before
the end of this year, let us know it, by sending letters (postfree) to
the Ladies' Association at Stockholm for the Care of Children, addressed
to the Lady Superintendent,

     Fredrika Bremer.

     Stockholm, Midsummer-day, 1854.