Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-09-05

! individually, we find him compelled to
violate every precept of his religion.
Turning from such details, to a more
comprehensive view Of the subject, we
come to the same result. The whole
structure OF an army is in violation of
New Testament precepts. What absolute
despotism! What division OF rank, by
nice gradations! Condescending to men
of low estate would spoil discipline
"Esteeming others better than urselves'
would degrade the officers. Instead Of
humility, must be gay trappings. In
stead of Christ;s law of love, must be
mans rule of honor. Instead of exam
lining all things, and holding fast that
which is good. the regular soldier must
be like a trained bloodhound, ready to
be let loose against any foe. Instead of
returning good for evil, the army is Or
ganized expressly to return injuries with
interest.
Look at any army prepared for battle
See the cannons, muskets, mortars, swords,
drums, trumpets and flags. Do these
men look Ike Christians? Do they talk
like followers of the meek and lowIy Son
of God? Are they prepared to act like
the friends of the human race, and like
| followers of God as dear children, seek
ing to bring all men to the knowledge Of
him2 Are the lessons they learn at daily
drill like the requirements needed for a
life of faith! Are their feelings toward
the opposite host, like those which are
produced by "fervent love- out of "a
pure heart"
Look at an army in the hour of battle.
See attacks and retreats, battaIlions ami
hilated, commanders failing, shouts Of
onset, groans of death, horses trampling
the fallen, limbs flying in the air, suffo-
eating smoke, laundering artillery, thou
sands smartlng in the agony of death,
and none to administer a cup Of water.-
Do the precepts of Christianity authorize
such a scene! Would such an exhibition
ever grow out of its legitimate efects2
Look at the field when all is over
The harvest trampIed and DESTROYED
houses smoking in ruin, the mang led and
slain strewed among dead horses and
broken gun-carriages! Prowlers strip
ping booty even from the warm bodies Of
the dying! Jackals lurking around, and
birds of prey wheeling above. Here and
there wretched widow, or an anxious
wife, seeking her loved one among the
dead and dying Does all this look as if
Christians had there been serving their
Master, the God of Mercy2
2 Let us turn our eyes to the ocean. A
huge ship, bristling with implements O.
! death, glides quietly along. Presently
f "a SAIL" is echoed from sentinel to senti
2 mel. All on board catch the sound, and
gaze at the faint outline At length, she
! is discerned to be ship of war. and all
J strive to discern her flag. On that hangs
e the important issue! For no feud, nc
t jealousy, no enmity exists between the
5 crews At last, the signal is discerned tc
? be that of foe. Immediately what &
r scene! Decks cleared and sanded, port:
E opened, tompions out, guns arranged
\ matches lighted, and every preparation
: made for work of death. While wait
= ing the moment to engage, every word il
!, indication of pride, or revenge, or daring
t or wrath, or ambition.
: The fight begins! Death flies witt
r every shot. Blood and carnage cover tn
$ decks. The rigging is cut to pieces, an(
s the hull is bored with hot shot. Officer
are picked off by sharp-shooters, anc
r scores Of common men perish at the
s posts. At length, one party strikes, AM
= the strife is stayed. Perhaps, ere all tn,
e wounded can be removed the noble an(
s costly ship sinks into the deep. The
,, victorious, herself almost wreck, com
d mits her slain to the deep, and bears OF
e towards her country the agonized, tn
Of crippled and dying Of both ships VIVA
g a scene 10 CRAFTY malignant demons!-
e What distracting :idings does she bear t
e, the bereaved at home! What pain an
1t misery does she carry within her! i
h all this, there was no personal malice, n
d private offence given: nothing was know
of one another, except from the respective
;. flags
is But no where does war wear such hoI
Y rors as in a siege. The inhabitants ar
d. straitly shut up. Business, pleasure, edu
If cation and intercourse are checked; an
l. sorrow, poverty, terror, and distress ar
q opi0du dOIodu' ne UoIlodiuHloHt NC
|. gins. Shells explode in the streets, 0
.; penetrate the roofs. Citizens are kille'
r 10 the streets, and soldiers on the ramparts
IS Women and children retreat to cellar
e and live in all discomfort. Day by da,
e the gloom thickens. All news is o
d houses burnt, persons killed, prices raised
if and scarcity increased. Glad y, perhaps
e would the citizens surrender, but tn
governor is inhexible. At length, famin
e is threatened. The laborer, out of EN-
1t ploy, cannot purchase at such prices, ant
s. his family hitherto accustomed to dali,
:. comfnrts fall ,rict;,ns To riroro,,s r,o.zort..