1 -
V .m.; ' ' V "t '
- ,,,,, , , - '--.- " - ' , , ' mmmSmm,
The whole art ok Government consists in the art of being honest. Jefferson. '-.( . ,,'
' . ' -
- 1 . - t i
4
VOL 8
STRO UDSBURG, xMONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, APRIL So, 1848.
No. 40.
published by Theodore ScEtor.h.
TERMS Two dollars per annum in advance Two dollars
j . ouartcr. half vearly and if nol paid before the end of
and a quancr. - . hlf T1. who rccejve their
naners br a carrier or stage drivers employed by the proprie
tnr will be charged 37 1-2 cents, per year, extra. oVv
No paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid, exeep
.L.cSrrPrtin. OT1P -uare (sixteen lines
"e . nr ct-irro i!rivrrs rmnlni'rd hv tllO DA
xcept
lollbo inserted three weeks for one dollar, and twenty-five
iVntS for cvervsubsequent insertion. The charge for one and
dveruseinciiis nut eAtueujiis uur.Hu- Truant v.riv.
three insertions the same. A liberal discount maue vo j mu
jSAnicttcrs addressed to the Editor must be post-paid.
JOB PRIiTlIVCJ.
Having a general assortment of large, elegant, plain and orna
mental Type, vc are prepared to execute every
description of
life.
Cards,. Circulars, Bill Heads, Sfoles,
Blank KeceijiSs,
JUSTICES, LEGAL AND OTHER
PAMPHLETS, &c.
Printed with neatness and despatch, on leasonable terms,
AT THE OFFICE OF THE
.Tcffersouiaia Kcpiiblicaie.
considerations respecting the
Lawfulness oi War under Ike Gospel
JtfispeiisalioiB ;
Addressed to the Teachers and Profcssots of Chris
tianity in the United States of America.
by request.
" Shall the sword devour forever ?" 2 Sam. ii. 26.
Solemnly impressed, as we are, with the be
lief that war is irreconcilable with ihe precepts
and ihe spirit of the Gospel, and. prohibited by
H, we cannot but feel that a fearlnl weight of
responsibility is assumed by Christian nations
m its prosecution ; and under this conviction
we are constrained lo invne The professors of
the Christian religion, and especially those who
are looked lo as its expounders, to a very seri-
ous and unbiassed consideration of this subject.
If we advert 10 the consequences resulting t
from war its tendency lo lower the Mainland
of public morals the daughter and misery it
produces the domestic bereavements, angnish,
and mourning inseparable from 11 a subject is
presented to our view, possessing the strongest
claim to the serious reflection of the professors
of the benign religion of Jesus Christ.
It has been highly gratifying to observe of
latter year, that the most -enlightened .nations
have manifested an increasing reluctance to ap-
peal to ihe sword that cruel and uncertain esl auihoriiy establishes the fact that ihe early
arbiter in the settlement of national couirii-1 Christians, not only insisied thai ihey were for
versies : and that the efforts to adjust those con- j ijjy,, l0 fio-hi but that they manifested their
troversies by peacelui negotiation, nave, ut mi-1
1 1 ... :.l .1 .
nterous instances, been crowned with the, most
6diifaciory results.-
The hope, indeed, had been cherished, that j
in ihe present enlightened age of ihe world,
and particularly in this enlightened country, the
influence of pure, elevated moral principles and
feeimgs, had obtained such an ascendency in
1 he minds of the people, as to prevent an ap
jfeal iq arms; but this pleasing anticipation ha
not been realized. Our country, for a consid
erable time, has been engaged in war exert
ing its powerful energies in the work of human
daughter. The fields of a neighboring nation
have been strewn with ihe bodies of the slain,
and its soil drenched with their blood. Can n
be that this is in accordance with the precepts
and the spirit of our holy religion 1
The Prophets, in-foretelling ihe coming of
he Messiah, and describing the nature of his
mission, present him in the character of the
Prince of Peace, of the increase of whose gov
ernment and peace, there shall be no end. 1 1
is declared that " He shall judge among ih
nations, and shall rebuke many people ; and
ihey shall beat their swords into ploughshare,
and their spears inio pruning-hooks ; nution
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more." Thin si roup;
and unequivocal language clearly indicates, ihai
it was the will and purpose of the Most High
.that war should eventually be abolished.
And in ihe fulness of time, when au angel
was commissioned to announce the advent of
he promised "Saviour, the annunciation was
:icrnmnanied with a raniurous sonj? from a
multitude of ihe heavenly' host, praising God.
r . . . .
and saying, glory lo God in ihe highest, and,;jcl wti alm ia establish will not be denied.
on earth peace, good-will towards men."
In harmonious agreement with the lanauaue
of prophecy, and the ecstatic song of fhe an
gelic host, was the life and ministry of our
Lord and Saviour. The law of the preceding
dispensation, admitted the principle ol retalia
lion " An eye for an eye, a 100th for a tooth."
He adverts to this for the express purpose of
placing a prohibition upon ii. " Iiut 1 say unto
you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
hhall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn 10 him
ihe other also." While those under the -Law
were allowed 10 hate an enemy, His command
jS I pay unto you, love your enemies We
ihem that curse you, do good to them ihat hate
you, and pray for ihem that despitofully
vou and persecute you that yemay be the
children of your Father which is inHeaven"
Now, if the followers of Christ are forbidden
to resist evil, and 10 hae an enemy ; 11 is evi
dent ihat the spirit which engenders war can
rtot be entertained by ihem ; and this cnnclu
Monis rendered, if possible, till stronger, by
the high standard, and holy inducement 10
which he immediately directs their attention,
" THat ye may be the children of your Father
which is m Heaven."
Many other similar precepis from the same
high authority could be adduced, but they are
familiar 10 ihe class of readers whom we ad
dress. They are plain and positive ; and they
rcceivejddiiional force from ihe accompanying
reference 10 ihe Law of the preceding dispeti
iiaiio'n. They are the precepts and injunctions
of Him whom we call our Lord and Master
and whom we profess to love nnd serve.
We ask for no new, or sirained meaning to
hee precepis ; we accept ihe words in their
plain literal import ; and so they were evident
ly accepted by the Apostles, and ihe primitive
believers. Of this ike.re can be no doubt. If
we recur to Apostolic language as it is present
ed in the Epistles 10 the Churches, we shall
there meet wuh injunctions, and exhortations,
and enlreaiies 111 strict accordance with the pre
cepts of iheir Divine Master. " Be not over
come of evil, but overcome evil with good."'
" See that none render evil for evil, to any man;
hut ever follow that whiqh is good, both among
yourselves, and lo all men" " Love as breth
ren, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering tail
ing for railing, bui contrariwi.se, blessing; know
ing th-ot ye are thereunto called, that ye should
inherit a blessing." " Dearly beloved, avenge
not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath;
font is written. Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord."
Now lei us ask, if language could be framed,
tuore strongly prohibiting- ihe indulgence of the
spirit which produces war, than that in the pre
ceding passages.
If ii be said that war is not directly, and
speetfically'interdicted ; we reply, neither was
suicide nor many other acknowledged crimes.
jt WHa seeu fit to forbid them by enforcing
,,0 virtues ihai must effectually exclude them.
if Christianiiy forbids those passions which en-
gender war which are fed by it, and without
which, indeed, it cannot exist, 11 follows inev
itably that Christianity forbids war.
It'will he admitted' that the views and ihe
practice of the earliest converts to Christianity
living as they did near the lime of its Found
er, and under the. teaching of the Apostles, or
their immediate successors are entitled to
wreat influence, in deciding this momentous
question; and ecclesiastical history of the high
...a a j I 1
sincerity, by offering up their lives, rather than
. . . . 1 - r
viohi'.e, what ihey deemed, an injunction ol
ih'eir Divine Master. A few cases may here
be cited :
Maximilian, a Roman youth, on being brought
before the tribunal, to be enrolled as a soldier,
refused saying to the Proconsul, " am a
Christian and cannot fight" On being told.thai
there was no alternative between bearing arms,
and being put to deah, he promptly and firmly
replied " I cannot fight, if I die." He con
tinued firm to his principles, and was led to ex
ecution. The primitive Christians not only refused
to enlist, as soldiers, but those in ihe army who
embraced Christianity, immediately abandoned
life 'profession, without regard to consequences'
Marcellus, a Roman Centurion, on becoming
a convert 10 Christianity, promptly resigned his
commission, declaring, thai having become a
Christian, he could serve no longer. " It is
not lawful," said he, for a Christian to bear arms
for any earthly consideration.'' He continued
firm in his refusal, and suffered death on that
account.
Cassian, who was a Notary in the sam le
gion, on embracing Christianity, resigned his
commission, and firmly adhering, 10 ihe senti
ments avowed by Marcellus like him was led
10 execution. Martin, another Roman, who
was bred 10 the profession "of arms, on being
converted 10 Christianity, abandoned the army,
savins. " I am a Ghrisiian and therefore I can
not fight."
Tnese are not isolated cases many more
j ml(Jju be adduced if it were necessary but ihe
Teriullian, " speaking of a large portion of the
Roman armies, after Christianity had been
widely spread over the world, expressly assures
us, ihat noi a Christian could be found among
them." Ireneus, Justin Martyr, and others,
lurnth conclusive evidence thai the Christians
jnl their day bore the most ample testimony 10
the .incompatibility of war with ihe religion of
the Gospel and ihat many ol ihem sealed their
testimony with iheir blood. Clemens of Alex
andria, peaks of Christians as the " followers
of peace," and ays expresslyihat ihey 44 used
notiM of ihe "implements of war." Laciantius,
-f..,tW park Christian, a eees that, "it cate
never be lawful for a righteous man to go to
war."
The evidence upon this- point is fully sus
tained by ihe early opponents of Christianity
Celses, who liyed towards the close of the
second century, accuses ihe Christians of his
day, " of refusing to bear arms, even in cases
of "necessity." Origen, the defender of Chris
tianity, doe not deny, but admits ihe fact, and
ju.tifiea ii on the ground that war was unlawful.
If, ihen, ihe language of prophecy is clear
and positive that the time will come, when na
tion shall not lilt up sword against nation, nor
the people learn war any more :
If in accordance wiih ibis prophecy, ihe pre
cepts and commandments of our Saviour are
pacific in the fullest degree ; strictly enjoining
the forgiveness of injuries ; making it the only
condition upon which men can hope 10 be for
given and if He as strictly prohibited the in
dulgence of a spirit of resentment, or retalia
tion: If the early converts, uuder the teachiifg of
the Apostles and iheir immediate successors,
were so solemnly impressed wii.li the belief that
war was forbidden by their holy Redeemer,
that they could not be, induced to u bear arms
for any earthly consideration," many of them
nobly yielding up iheir lives in confirmation of
their faiih i
If all ihi bo indisputable, we ask, if ihe
proposition is not fully and clearly established
thai war is a grievous violation of the prin
ciples of our holy religion?
It remains now to account for the change
that has taken place in the practice of the pro
fessors of this benign religion, in relation to
war. . The importance of the subject, and the
magnitude of the evils consequent upon ihe
change, calls for the clearest evidence of its
propriety, and of its consistency with "the pre
cepts and spirit of the Gospel.
The Apostles foretold ihat after their dcease,
a departure from the purity of ihe Christian
faith would take place that " men would arise
speaking perverse things, to draw away disci
ples after them," and thai many would follow
their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the
way of truth would be evil spoken of."
That this prediction was strictly fulfilled,
will be generally admitted. The falling away
from ihe meek and unresisting spirit which so
conspicuously marked the primitive Church, was
gradual, keeping pace with the increase of the
general profligacy, and was doubtless acceler'a-
led by the corrupting influence of a union be
tween ihe Church and the State.
When ppnees adopted the Christian religion
from motives of state policy, it is not just cause
of surprise, that courtiers should claim to be
converts nor that a modified and adulterated
system of religion should ensue, and ultimate
ly prevail amongst subjects, nor that war
should cease 10 be regarded as a violation of
ihe spirit and precepis of the Gospel.
It will not be denied, that the precepts and
injunctions of our blessed Lord, are binding
upon individual believers. It becomes then an
inquiry of the utmost importance, and we com
mend it to ihe mature and solemn reflection of
all. By what human authority by what hu
man iribunaljCan a community be absolved. from
the observance of ihose Divine laws and in
junctions which are acknowledged to be binding
upon its individual members 1
If it be said, that Christianity exonerates na
tions from those duties which she has imposed
upon individuals, we ask for the ground upon
which the assumption is based. If ihe plea of
expediency be made, does it not imply a dis
trust of Divine protection ? And if expediency
be a justification of a violation of one Divine
law, 11 is not percened why it may not, with j
equal propriety, be urged in justification of aiiho morals 0 men than even to their property
yjolation of every oiher Divine law. If human and persons :" and again, " They who defend
authority may abrogate, or suspend one law of! war, must defend tha dispositions which lead
God, why may not the same authority exercise J 10 war; and these dispositions are absolutely
ihe same power in regard 10 every other law forbidden by the Gospel."
! if the Creator? Again, if ihe plea of expedi -
! 1 .: . 1 .: 1 ....,1 ...
ency in reiauoo 10 ourisuau imuimic -uiu pine -
nee ne aumissiu.e; oy coum ... mu,.,-
. . 1 .11-. . . .. 1.1 t 1..
nine 01 mqnyra nave bscb jbu, wm -uciuu " '
1 heir lives
es rattier than deny me Lioro mat oougnt
iKom nr vir.hilo hlu hnlv ifiiimrtlnus 1
Ii may be said,--indeed it often h said, that
war, though a great evil, is an evil' that cannot
be avoided in the present state of ihe world ;
and this conclusion may serve to quiet the con
sciences of many, whoatrfeeliugs revolt at the
fearful realities of war. Let us examine the
correctness of the. conclusion, that war is una
voidable has the trial been made and found 10
be impracticable 1
It is indeed to be regretted, that no instance
of a strictly national character has yet occurred,
to test the practicability of the principle for
which we plead, an unreasoning reliance upon
the Omnipotent Arm for protection and defence.
There is, however, a case to which we may
refer, of a strong character, and sufficiently na
tional for all the purposes of our argument.
Pennsylvania, it is known, was settled by men
who believed that Christianity forbade war uu
der any and every pretext. They acted in
strict accordance wuh this belief. They plant
ed themselves in the midsi of savages. TheV
were surrounded by men who knew nothing of
written treaties, or ihe obligations of revealed
religion ; by men who were addicied 10 war in
its most sanguinary and revolting forms ; and
yet " for more than seventy years," and up to
the lime thai the government of the Colony
passe'd inio other hands, they enjoyed uninter
rupted peace. ,
The Peunsylvanians."says Clarkson," be
came armed, though without alms ; they be
came strong though without sirengih ; ihey be-,
came safe, without ihe ordinary-means ofi safe-
ty. For ihe greater part of a century, a'nd
never during the administration of William
Petm, or that of his proper successors, was
there a quarrel or a war."4' Whatever the
quarrels of the Pennsylvania Indians were with
others, they uniformly respected, and held sa
cred, as it were, the territories of William
Penn."
The settlers of Pennsylvania, relying upon
Divine protection, placed themselves in, ihe
mid-st of savages, without the means of resist
ing aggression; and even savage magnanimity
felt ihe appeal suppressed the war-cry and
permuted them to possess the land ,i.n undis
turbed repose. What a lesson, may we not
a&k, to Christian nations !
How painfully, how instructively, does, ihe
situation of other American colonies- contrast
with this ! We will not attempt to portray it ;
but refer to the blood-stained pages of colonial
history.
Will it be said that ihe same confiding spirit,
and peaceable deportment, if practised 111 sin.
cerity and truth, towards nations professing the
benign religion of ihe Gospel, would be more j
' ' . . r
dangerous or less successful We trust not
such a conclusion would be a libel upon man-
kind a denial of ihe efficacy of the Chrisiian
religion and an inexcusable distrust of ihe
Providence and moral government of God.
It lsiiot unusual to attempt a justification of
war under the Gospel dispensation, by referring
10 the wars of ihe Jews, under the dispensation
of the Law. It is conceded 'hat many of these
wars Were authorized by the Supreme Ruler
of the universe, for purposes of his own in
scrutable wisdom ; but this high authority can
noi be claimed by Christian nations ; and it
has been shown that the two dispensations are
essentially different ihat holy men during the
continuance of the legal dispensation, predicted,
under ihe influeuco of the spirit of prophecy,
ihat the time would come when nation should
cease to lift up sword against nation, or 10 learn
war any more. We have seen that the Divine
Author and Founder of the existing dispensa
tion, called ihe attention of his followers to
those violent and vindictive passions, the in
dulgence of which were allowed under the
Law, for the express purpose of excluding
ihem from the .code of morals which it was
His purpose to establish ; and that His imme
diate followers, and their successors for nearly
two centuries, firmly believed thai var was for
bidden by their Divine Master. We have
shown ihat the conviction was so solemnly
sealed upon their consciences, that when called
by ihe rulers of that day to serve as soldiers,
no earthly consideration or suffering could in
duce them 10 swerve fioin this article of primi-
live Christian laim.
And ihe early writers, Ireneus, Justin Mar
tyr, and Tertullian, affirm as their belief, ihat
ihe prophecy which declares thai men should
turn their swords inio ploughshares, and iheir
spears into pruning-hooks, was then fulfilled.
With the hope of enforcing our views upon
this subject, and for ' the purpose of showing
that they are neither wild or visionary, we here
offer the sentimeujs of persons respecting n,
who lived at different periods of lime, and were
eminent for iheir piety or learning.
War," says Erasmus, " does more harm to
l Richard Waison, Bishop of Llandaff, asserts
I . ... ... , - ,
ln;l War has practices aim principles, pecu
... . . . . .. ' . ...
j ar to Itselli wlncn , m quaarate witn
rii es o mora rectitude, ana are quite aunor -
j reII, ,0 iue be
benignity of Christianity."
Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon and Lord
high Chancellor of England, says, that " War
introduces and propagates opinions and practi
ces as much against Heaven as against earth ;
it lays 'ur nature and our manners as waste as
our gardens and habitations ; and we can as
easily preserve the beauty of the one as the in
ipgriiy of the otlier.uuder the cursed jurisdiction
of drums and trumpets."
William Law, a pious minister of the church
ofEngland, and well known as the author of
" A Practical Treatise on Christianiiy," avers
that " There is not a virlue of Gopel goodness,
but has its death-blow from war."
The eminent Dr. V. Knox, after remarking
that almost all th'professions have some char
acteristic manner, observes, "It happens, un
fortunately, thai profligacy, libertinism, and in
fidelity, are thought bv weaker minds, almost
as necessary a part of a soldier's uniform, as
,his shoulderknoi. To hesitate at an oath, to
decline intoxication, to profess a regard for re
ligion, would be almost as ignominious as to
refuse a challenge." '
The British poet, Soulhey, noiwiihsianding
he had eulogized the heroes of his native land,
w,as constrained 10 speak in term of high com
mendation of tho-e who lefuseto fight; and he
declares that "'The prohibition of war by our
Divine Master, is plain, literal, and undenia
ble." The B'shop of Llandaff, already quoied,
says, I am persuaded thai when the spirit of
Chriaitaniiy shall exert its proper influence over
the minds of individuals;, and especially over
ihe minds of public men in their puhljc capac
ities, over the minds of men constituting the
councils of Princes, when this happy period
shall arrive, war will cease throughout the,
whole Christian world."
Now, if it be true that " The dispositions
which lead lo war are absolutely forbidden by
the Gospel ;" if they " are quite abhorrent i
ihe benignity of Christianity ;" if war intro
duces and propagates opinions and practices as
much against Heaven as' against earth ;?-- ifrit
" laya our nature and our manners as waste a
our gardens and habitations," and renders it a
difficult to preserve " the beauty of the one, as
the integrity of the other :"
If Tfiere is not a virtue of Gospel good
ness, but has its death-blow from war ;" if it
is productive of "profligacy, libertinism, and
infidelity ;" if all this be true, should not every
.wise and good man should nol all who aro
seeking to promote the present and eternal wel
fare of their fellowmen, unite in one great and
enuring effort to abolish, lo banish from the
. t . 1 1 1 .1. r -
eartn wits cruet, uemoiauzmg, auu uesiruuuva
A, state of universal and enduring peace
y a
even if, as some suppose, it is to be accom
plished by a special interposition of D;vifi
Providence, at some remote period of time, U
a delightful theme to coniemplale.
We, also, believe, in accordance wiih proph
ecy, that it will arrive ; but, we believe that it
will be a result of individual faithfulness. We
fully unite in opinion with ihe Bishop of Llan
daff, that peace will become universal, when
ever the spirit of Christianity shall exert ita
proper influence ;" and we have shown that
Christianity did produce it, in an earlier ami
purer stale of the Church so far, at least, -aa
Christianity prevailed.
If, then, peace on earth be looked lo as an
end and an aim of our holy religion is not
each individual believer called upon to culti
vate in himself, and endeavor 10 promote in
others, ihose feelings and ihai course of con
duct which are calculated to produce this blessed
effect ?
We have ventured especially to request ilm
attention of those who have assumed ihe respon
sible station of ministers and leacheis of th
Chrisiian religion, to this subject, because,
whatever effects the characier of this religion,
oc opposes its progress in the world, seem-
peculiarly to claim their notice. And we would
suggest, that the fact of our country being at
the present time engaged in war furnishes a
strong reason for entering inio a careful exam
ination of the evidence respecting the lawful
ness of war under the Gospel dispensation.
May we venture to ask whether those pacific
principles by which the Church m ihe apostolic
age and, indeed, during the first and greater
part of the second centuries, was so remarkably
distinguished, are inculcated by ihe Christian
teachers of the present day, wiih ihat clearness
and fulness, to which they are justly entitled?
Even those who do not fully unite with us
in ihe belief, that " war is unreservedly prohib
ited by ihe Chrisiian religion," must admit that,
besides the misery and suffering it produces
it is highly demoralizing and that ii eminently
lends to retard the progress of vital religion among
men : and if so, the glorious theme of " peace
on earth" should not fail to find devoted advocates
in all who are sincerely seeking to promote the
present and eternal welfare of their fellow -men.
We are aware that when the public mind is strong
ly excited, it may require great moral courage, and
a' deep and abiding sense of duty, to enable the
pastor to stand firmly at his post, and advocato
uie uuuie
the noble cause of peace. But these are occasions
f when, by reason of the position he occupies, his
1 ,,0rnnt ;ntrrmirP w th thn npnn e. and the m
fluence he exeits upon their feelings, he may by
restraining, or by giving a right direction to the
popular impulse become instrumental in hasten
ing the day when righteousness shall cover the
earth, as the waters cover the sea.
In conclusion, we would ask attention to one
view of the subject of war, which commends itself
with awful solemnity to the consideration of all.
and with peculiar force to those we are now ad
dressing. We refer to the ultimate to the unseen
consequences of war to the final state of the
myriads of spirits, disembodied, it is greatly to
be feared, while under the influence of the most
ferocious passions, and sent uncalled, into the
world of righteous retribution.
The reflection is awful indeed and niust, we
would fain hope, command the most serious atten
tion ; and by producing a firm conviction of the
utter incompatibility of war with the meek, forgiv
ing, and peaceable spirit of the Gospel, lead to in
creased and earnest efforts to eradicate from tho
earth this scourge to the family of man
If, then, the fruits of war be anyuisSi unspeaka
ble, and bitterness in the latter end tmw strong
how powerful is the claim upon our efforts to op
pose it, and restore the Church to the state of pu
rity in which it stood in the primitive period of its
UUUJUimi JlliV wwMtww ' mv --j---, .
existence :
May the Lord in his mercy hasten the day when
this shall be effected ; vyheff nation shall no longer
lift upsword against nation, and the people shall
learn war no more ; but ktfyjdoms of this world
shall become the kingdoms ;afihe Lord, and of his
Christ. ' .
Signed on behalf and by direction of a Meeting
of the RepreserUaiives of the Religious Society
of the Friends, f the Yearly Meeting of New
York, hejd'in the City of New York, the, 4th
of Ftrst'month, 1848.
RIC1U RJ) CAKPEFTJBR, Clerk.
1
Is V