Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-31
TIE u d G B A p Il .
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 81, 1888.
For the Vermont Telegraph.
ID ~ A q &c.

Pc CE. |
BROTHER murray tits my desire to con- |
form, in sentiments and practice, to the pure
principles OF the gospel, as taught by our
blessed Savior; and as mean to maintain
diligent search for the path of duty, and 10
be constantly inquiring, "Lord, what wilt
thouhave me TO do" I,naye bestowed some
thought upon the Declaration of Peace
Sentiments" as published in the second
number Of the present volume of the Tele-
graph, and adopted as your own; and as |
, am not sufficiently enlightened to take the
high ground occupied by yourself, if it be
gospel ground, wish you to help me up
there and in SO doing, please read the 10th
and 11th verses Of the 18th chapter Of Johns
Gospel, and tell me why Peter was encum-
bered with an article with which he could
not be permitted on any occasion 10 use
True, he was not justified in using it in de-
fence of his Master, possibly for the reason
given in The last clause Of the 18th verse;
But that Peter should have sword, keep it
about his person, and know as he evidently
10 use under any circumstances, even in self
defence, to me appears inexplicable. For,
are we to suppose that Christ would see this
instrument by his side, and not in the outset,
give him correct moral instruction with re-
gard to it2 Again, Luke's Gospel, 22d chap
ter, Both verse: Sand he that hath no sword,
let him sell his garment and buy one" Now
why this purchase? and 10 what use was
this sword 10 be put? lfto no use, where is
The wisdom of our Savior's direction ? ~
Now, il is conteoded by some, that self
defence is a law in nature, extending through
+. the whole animal kingdom, that when sud-
denly attacked, our acts in selfdefence may
be involuntary, and may operate to the great
disadvantage Of our assailant We may not
have an opportunity to reason with him be-
fore his work would be accomplished; and
if we had, he may not be a man upon whom
our moral reasoning would take effect. (2)
Now, with regard TO the civil law, it ap
pears to me necessary that we have code
by which TO regulate our intercourse with
mankind. True, if every individual would
do right, we should have no use for it, nei-
ther should we for bolts and bars TO oul
doors. But unhappily this is no, the case
and as we are to stake men as they are-no
as they should be-" itappears necessary tina
we have both laws and locks to restrain tn
bad and protect the good.
Man is so constituted that he needs gov
erning from the cradle to the grave. Som
are not willing to pay an honest debt even
until compelled by the coercive power Of tn
law; aud many are callous to every terde
sensibilily of the soul, regardless of til
claims Of justice or humanity. should yer
much fear that if all the power sathere
from the civil law were lost, and our jud
ciary and executive disbanded, that our plan
Of life would be thwarted-our business d.
ranged--our persons annoyed, without an
efficient means of protecting ourselvers {
our property from 1estruction,-that Ii
poor, which we have always with u.s. wouI
be left to suffer- that our free institution
would be destroyed, land that we, instead
being happy aud prosperous people, und
atheocratca government, should be exper
encing all the troubles which naturally aiis
from state Of anarchy. 90 J. JosLlN,
- Poultaey, Oct. Is, 1888.
soy The passages Of scripture which my broth
las cited, as, in his opinion, bearing against t
Peace doctrine, do, in my opinion have directly t
contrary bearing. 1t is not for me to determi
certainly whatour Savior designed most. to teac
BY arming Peter with sword and suffering him
use il as he did. But, although it may not be
clear asto what he did undertake TO teaeh I thi
all must egree that he did not undertake physie
warfare For if he did, how could he saw that 4
swords were eRoxgk? Why did hs not ann all
disciples But especially why did be so soon,
venom the frst occasion. order the only sword us
10 be shsathed, and never again, that VIC can lea
allow II TO be 9nsheaihedi - ..sg.
All the circumstances look, 10 me, though
Savior would by this whole transaction, connec
with this single instance Of using single swo