Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-08-11

bodies and souls OF men therefore all :
,cars and all incentives to war, are incon-
sstent with the spirit and precepts Of the
gospel, and should be discountenanced by
the preceps and example Of Christians.
6. Resolced, That it is the solemn du-
ty Of ministers to use all proper means to
promote the spirit and principles Of peace
in the church and throughout the world,
and TO use their endeavors to prevent all
personal and national anmosities and ap-
peals to arms to adjust their difficulties.
T. ResOtrcd, That we look to the Cos
pei, as it is exhibited in the opinions, Gus
toms and practices of Christians, as the
only means under God, to usher in that |
day predicted by the holy prophets and |
apostles, tohe1 s,rords sAaiI be teaLen imt0
plOughshares, spears iato pruning hooks
aud nations LEARN a0ar no more.
8. Resolcei, That we regard the form
alton ola Peace Society, having for lis OBJ
ject the abolition of all rGrs and the pacif-
cation Of the world, as a most cheering
omen Of good to our own country and to
all man kind /; and as deserving the pray
ers the countenance and support of all
who love the souls Of men, and would
hasten the time when the kingdoms ofthis
world shall bee ONE the kingdom Of our
Lord and when the Prince of peace shall
reign forever aud ever"
There was one other resolution, in
structing the secretary to forward copies
Of these resolutions to the different papers
Of the Methodist connection for pubIica-
ton.
Such, Mr. Editor, are the views and
feelings expressed by the New England
Conference Of the MAthodist Episcopal
church on the great and holy and most
absorbing and may say ere ting subject
Of peace,--tor the peace cause when I'M
ders,ood is an aT-absorbing subject, PC
c"liarly fitted to arouse every faculty, and
: to stir up the deepest feelings Of the soul.
The r. solutions were taken up one BY
y one, debated and passed, and then adopted
as whole. Attte last vote, DO not re-
collect tia. there were any opposed.
= IF the church were brought to act on
5o the sp!rit AMI principles of these rcsolu-
~ tons, Q what blessed changed The
80 second declares that our treatment of our
~ enemies should always be the natural
< fault Of love 10 them and desire to dothcm
- good. What then becomes Of all oul
80 wars undertaken to defend property, lib
~ erty, honor, trienlS, country or even life
Are such wars consistent with loye2 |
~ or such wars are not consistent with the law
~ Of love, what shall we say of preparation
' .o, for such wars? 1t appeals to the law 9
" violence in self-defence; and if preEara
' 'be tons for such appeals are consistent will
l' the law of love, then they are right;
not, they are all sinful. Every one mus
49,, judge what treatment is consistent will
~ love to enemies,
r. What says the second resolution?
~ condemns the belligerent spirit, the mar
~ tiGl spirit, and euery thing tending to cher
49,, ~" ish a martial spirit. 1t is true, the maj
'"o tial spirit, which our Young men and boy
a" a." affect TO show off on muster days, is tn
az very spirit of he'll. 1t comes up from tn
nn' bottomless put, ard leads men down to tn
'et bottomless pit A Christian can no NOR
80 love martial spirit, and be a c0ns;StcD
al Christian than he can POSSES ying,
11e thieving, an avariCious or a murder0u
=, spirit, and be a consistent Christian.
- And what do YOU say to the 4tA aud ST
90 resolutions? Does it not rejoice you
..e heart? Will it not rejoice the heart thu
Co. loves Christ and the souls of men-to hea
NV this large and respectable body Of mini
- Appeals TO arms 10 adjus. disputes be,wee
.r:e individuals or nations? To hear thel
'n'N declare all loGrs and all incenttres to wa
o'S opposed 10 Christ-snIuL And VII;
" :.L are incentives to war? Are train bands
'N Militia mus:ers? Military trlumphs ,
Monuments, Crations, poems, songs,
10y loasts in honor otmllltary men and deeds
,o,I If they are, they are SINFUL according
" the resolution and, as L fully Believe a
~ cording to the gospel of Christ.
oIu. And how, Sir, according to the tn re
re- oluton is the gospel, as exhibited in II
dat. opinions, customs aud practices Of Chr
etv tians, ever to bring about the m.leniur
ASS if Christians continue to fight and prepa
bate to make war, and Gdrocate the custom
and practices necessarily connected wi
To- war We talk Of millennium; but
r;.h millennium will ever come so long as Chr
one tians 60 armed, as individuals or nation
Int and so long as they advocate the right
= defence by violence, Christians mt
rent. give up defence by. violence, and be wi
sne- ing to suffer and die rather than inju
the Others. Then will the miIleniaI Clio
ions soon dawn upon the world.
pos These beloved brethren, Mr. Edit
truh have taken noble stand in this holy eau.
,Iess- The doings Of this conference on the su
| jlect of, peace. will tell on the destinies
and this country and the world, do. much
her bring about the time when all 1cGrs a
spirit all preparations for war, and all educ
tends ton in the arts and sciences Of war, sh
mar be lno,gn No moro When the ornhal