ceptable with God; for hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him whe judgeth righteously." Christ taught his disciples the doctrines of peace, and commanded them to take up the cross and follow him; to live in peace, and to follow peace with all men his last gift to them was peace. He said to them, when about to send them into the world, "behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves;" thus teaching them what treatment they might expect, and what character they must maintain among wicked men. The nature of lambs and wolves, is too well known for any one to mistake this figurative repre sentation. Wolves are fierce, bloody, and ravenous; naturally clad with carniverous armour, with which they pursue and destroy; but, lambs are mild, inoffensive, unresisting; having no means of relief but by flight. Now if a host of professing christian warriors, martialled under the ensign of a preying eagle, or a prowling lion, cloathed in all the splendor of deathly armour, and rushing forward to destroy their fellow creatures, are in figurative language but lambs, I confess I am at a loss to look for the wolves? Do these war christians appear mild as lambs, and harmless as doves, kind and tender hearted, doing good to all, to friends and foes, as they have opportunity? Can fighting be living peaceably with all men? Is it returning good for evil, and overcoming evil with good? If not, it is not imitating the example of Christ. If christians were like Christ, their warfare would not be carnal, but spiritual, corresponding with the armour which he has provided. They would conquer by faith, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb, not counting their lives dear to themselves. On the whole, if war is not avoiding the appearance of evil, but is running into temptation; if it inflates the pride of men; if it infringes on the rights of conscience; if it is not forgiving trespasses as we wish to be forgiven; if it is not patient suffering under unjust and cruel treatment; if it is not doing to others as we wish to be done by; if it is not manifesting love to enemies, and returning good for evil; if it is rendering evil for evil; if it is doing evil that good may come; and if it is inconsistent with the example of Christ, then it is altogether contrary to the spirit and precepts of the gospel, and is highly criminal; and christians cannot engage in it, or ap prove of it, without incurring the displeasure of hea ven. In view of the subject, if what has been said is in substance correct, and of this I desire the reader conscientiously to judge them the criminality of war, : and its inconsistency with the gospel are undeniable. It is admitted by all that war cannot exist without criminality somewhere, and generally, where quarrelling and strife are, there is blame on both sides. And how it is that many christians, who manifest a laudable zeal to expose and counteract vice and wickedness in various other forms, are silent on the subject of war, silent as to those parts, or practices of war which are manifestly and indisputably criminal, is to me mysterious. There has been a noble and persevering opposition against the inhuman and cruel practice of the slave trade; and by the blessing of God, the efforts against it have been successful, probably, for the time, beyond the most sanguine expectations. When the lawfulness of this practice was first called in question, it was violently defended, as well by professing christians, as by others. Comparatively few christians, fifty years ago, doubted the propriety of buying and holding slaves; but now a man advocating the slave trade, could hardly hold in this vicinity, a charitable standing in any of the churches. But whence has arisen so great a revolution in the minds of the mass of professing christians on this subject? It has happened, not because the spirit or precepts of the gospel have changed, but be cause they are better understood. Christians, who have been early educated to believe that a doctrine is correct, and who cherish a respect for the instructions of their parents and teachers, sel dom enquire for themselves, after arriving at years of maturity, unless something special calls up their attention; and then they are too apt to defend the doctrine they have imbibed, before they examine it, and to exert themselves only to find evidence in its favour. Thus error is perpetuated from generation to generation, until God in his providence raises up some to bear open testimony against it; and as it becomes a subject of controversy, one after another gains light, and truth is at length disclosed and established. Hence it is the solemn duty of every one, however feeble his powers, to bear open testimony against whatever error prevails, for God is able from small means, to produce great effects. There is at present in many of our churches a noble standard lifted up against the abominable sin of intemperance, the greatest evil, perhaps, war excepted, in the land, and this destructive vice has already received a check, from which it will never recover, unless christians relax their exertions. if war is a greater evil than drunkenness, how can christians remain silent respecting it, and be innocent? But Public teachers consider it to be their duty boldly and openly to oppose vice. From the press and from the pulpit, they denounce theft, profaneness, sabbath breaking, and intemperance; but war is a greater evil than all these, for these and many other evils follow in its train. Most christians believe that in the millennial day all weapons of war will be converted into harmless utensils of use, that wars will cease to the ends of the earth, and that the benign spirit of peace will cover the earth as the waters do the seas. But there will be then no new gospel, no new doctrines of peace; the same blessed gospel which we enjoy, will produce "peace on earth, and good will to men." And is it not the duty of every christian now, to exhibit the same spirit and temper which will be then manifeşted? If so, let every one follow the things that make for peace,' and the God of peace shall bless them. |