Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-04-10

The MethodIsts are sometimes IN
Justly accused of undertaking learning
and the sciences. Yet they have pro-
duced some Of the most learned Divines
in the world la the last century, John
Wesley was as learned, in questions re
lating to his profession, as the prondest
of his opposers; and the present .idGm
/ Clarke stands at the very head OF all
living commentators on the scriptures.
No man can read his Commentary and
Critical Notes on the Bible, without
adding something to bis knowledge of
the holy scriptures, aud few, ! hope,
without imblblng some portion of the
pious spirit of its excellent author. OF
his piety and his learning, it would be
easy to produce proofs from every part
of his extensive works. shall confine
myself in this communication, to what
is said by him'in illustration of the scrip.
turs view of the improperly and the
danger Of advancing military men TO
cirit stations and empLoymsnls.
| | begin with the case of David, the
son OF Jesse whom it has been
well said that he was in his youth a
hero, in manhood monarch, and in age
a SAINT (See Clarke on / Chronicles,
Chap. 80 Ii any military man could
/ be entitled to peculiar favor In the
sight OF heaven, it was surely David,
the imam after Gods own heart" But
let US see what the scriptures say on
this subject. Towards the close of his
! life, when "the Lord had gwen him
rest roud about from all his enemies, !"
| 1t came into the hart OF David 30 bnild a
house for Coda noble undertaking,
which he fondly hoped would crown,
with peculiar glory, his closing days.
| lie consulted God on the subject;
and this was the just but notifying an
swer which he received. Thou shalt
not build house unto my name, be
cause thou hast she'd much biood upon
the Earth in my sighp'--I Chronicles,
q, s-or as it is recorded, Chronicles
%, 8, Thou shalt not build a house for
my name, because thou hast been man Of
cor, and hast she'd blood" 1t is here
worthy of re mark, that God does not
object to David, that he had waged IN
Just wars, or war of ambition or of re-
uenge. 1t was in his sight sufficient OBJ
lection to David, that be had 'shed
much blood.' 1t thus appears, that when
God was about to select fitting instru-
ment, to perform the highest civil func-
ton, he passed by tue warrior. with
his garments rolled in blood,n and
chose Solomon, for this glorious en-
ployment, because he was "a man OF
peace" While commenting on this in
structive transaction, DR.. Clark Justly
remarks, that shedding of human blood
but i'll comports with the benevoence
OF God, or the spirit OF the gospel" /
Chronicles 81, 8 This is said by DR..
Clarke, of shedding the blood OF for
etSn enemies in open war, which was
Darld's case--what then must be his
opinion OF man who is stained with
the blood OF his own soldiers, shot, by
his order, in time of peace, for a mis-
take IN law? what would he say of o
man whose hands are red with the
blood OF his fellow townsmen, slain in
private combat? what finally, of one
who, without even the form Of chal
ieDge, attacks his fellow citizen in a
pubic house, and takes bis blood 10
private broil? 1t is unnecessary to say
that refer to the case OF Andrew jack
son, to the shooting of the six militia
men, to his murder of Dickinson and
his attempted assassination Of Benton.
Lit God would not permit David, howev-
er good in other respects, to build a
house to his name, because he had
been man Of sear, and shed bIood,o
shall we permit this rude military chief
to lay his bloody hand on the ark of our
temporal safety; to profane the temple
the constitution; and with the sword
of war, or the dagger of assassination,
to cut his way through the charter of
our Liberties, to the highest civil BIO
nors OF the land? Shall we not rather
IN time of rest and tranquility, prefer a
man of peace" to lay deep founda.
tons OF our civil rights, and erect,
on the broad basis Of civic virtue and
pacific wisdom. the enduring Temple
of our political Zion?
shall close this communication with
Doctor Clarke's view of the character
and the conduct of Joab the son OF Ze.
ruiah-a military man not unlike Gen.
,JackSnn in tis taponan ood ~, -.