Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-05-15
W ar.
From the Christian Reflector.
ALL AIRS VyR on @ .

From the Christian Reflector. 7
ALL WARS WI 0 y G..
After much thought on this subject and :
not altogether unapprised of the practical
responsibilities which it involves. | am
inclined 10 take the position that all wars
are incompatible with christian principles.
There is, however, one sngl exception,
but on which there can be- 10 diversity OF
opinion; that is, where special commits
sion is given from heaven. In such case,
both aggressive and defensive wars are
lusti6able, nay. a duty on christian princi-
plies. In support of ths position, would
q! saw, that in no recolected instance, has |
God approved of any people going 10
war, without such special commission
Now, if it can BE- fairly made 10 appear
that God has, both in the old and new tes-
lament, given laws and precep:s Of anl-
versaL obligation, which are Incompatible
with both the spirit and letter OF war;
and never approved of war without
special commission given by himself;
then wars of every kind must be wrong
without such a warrant. Two instances
NAV here be presented as evidence that
the kings of Israel did not feel themselves
justified in engaging in war, either ag-
gressve or defensive, without permission
J from God. The first is a case of delens-
!, i've war. 2. Sam. Vito. But when
: the Philislines heard that they had anoint-
: ed David king over Israel, all the PhiIls-
Il tines came up to seek David, and David
= heard of it, and went down to the hold
!. The Philistines. also came, and spread
= themselves in the valley of Rephaim.-
: And David enquired Of the Lord, saying,
: shall / go up 10 The PhaLiStineS2 Wilt
{, thou deliver them into my hand And
A. the Lord said unto David, Gu up: for |
u will doubtless deliver the Philistines into
thine hand" If it was right for David
= 10 del end himself against the aggressive
II war of the Phiiistnes, without special
II warrant, why did he ask the question
- The other is case Of aggressive war;
9 Ahab knew that the will Of God should
be sought and known before he went al
to Ramo,h Gilead. but preferred th'
Ill Prophets of BaaI, to Micaiah. But Je
nd hoshaphat thought it wrong 10 go, with
ch out special commission from God.
IN said, no instance occurred 10 me OF 60
IN. having approved Of men engaging i
The war without an express WARRANT iroI
IRE himself; and il there should be cas-
I found. ii would not be conclusive evldenc
s,- that they had no commission from him.
-. -. it might not be deemed necessary to re
oss cord such warrant in every instance.
nal Some have thought that an instance
the going to war withou. authority from Go
ne IS found in Abrams slaughter OF Il
for kings, and recovery Of Lots family al
, il, his goods. And also that MeIchisedeci
hat blessing, instead of reproving him,
ING proof that war is justifable. But 10 4
,e,h it appears quite inadmissible for the IL
!, by lowing reasons: |. He simply bless
Kin. him, not as a conquerer, but with ref,
100 ence 10 the covenant, or rather Proml
so which God had previously made to h
1ich in the XII Chapter. And although t
To king of Salem blessed God who had .
cels iiyered his enemies into his hand, yet
mo. does not prove that war generally IS rig
mon fas his delivering his son into the hands
+ IF sinners. and Israel into the hands OF tn
ING oppressors, did not justify them in tn
bout religious victories and crGeiles. x Il
,ther thought 10 be highly probable that Abr
W in enquired,of God in regard 10 this expe
king tion,- .ot merely because tle LOU ue
:. as etet them into his hand; but heca
NAV Abram uses language which more Il
have intimates that he had prevlousl Y conyt
zen" ed with God on the subject. The KIN:
Sodom said unto Abram, Give me
king person, and take the goods unto thyse'
from And Abram said TO the king OF Sodon
hear have lifted up my hand unto the l.
, par the most high God, The possessor Of h'
as we en- and earth, that | vii! not take tn
elk, even to a shoe tchet. and that VIII
were take any thing that is thlne." Ii the
rentle- pie fact, that God did not reprove Alb
rough for going TO war. even if he had no
4 rmed cial commission, cvinces war to be Ju
ng APP able on christian principles then
he ex- same course of reasoning proves poi
ayen's my is Unsuitable on christian princlI
made for Jacob was blessed of God on hi
ompa- turn with his two wives, and was nc
e, and proved for marrying them. The tru
them, there were some things which were Y
occa- ed at in times of comparative lgnor;
never and under the darker dispensations, "
:. ara M. IN he tolerated under the eli