Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-04-22

less forms Of religion that men have con-
jured up to themselves-is doubtless cor
rect. But how is this doctrine TO be recon- |
ciled with the idea that these governments
are the ordinances of God2 How will the |
two appear by the side of each other Let
US see:
"But we are as Governments have
sured here that hebeen in most cases, |
GOD APPRovINGLY Or MERELY THE EMBODIED
DAMS civil govern SPIRIT OF THE NATION
u,ent," &c. AND THE AGE"
How an institution can be the ordinance
of God, and at the same time the mere
creature Of mans forming, according 10 his
own views of propriety or interest, is some
thing / am unable to comprehend.
He says,-"It Christianity will only
conrert them governmental by converting
the communities which these governments
represent" Now if these governments are
already the ordinances of God, what need
Of converting them. To conrert them TO
the government of the Prince of Peace is
just what Non Resistance would do, and is
doing. But how is this to be done ? By
the children of Christ's kingdom joining
with the children Of Caesars kingdom in
doing the works of the latter2 Is this the
way that Christians labor in other things !?
If they would concert" the drinking man,
do they lay hold Of the cup and drink with
him2 If they would convert the swearer,
do they swear with him? If they would
convert the fighting man, do they fight with
him And so in carrying on any other
UNFAIRLY admitted that these governments
are to be concerted! This is, so far, theo-
retical Non-Resistance. Let other things
be brought to consist with this, and let the
whole be subjected to the commonest prin.
ciple Of practical christianity.
FinalIy,-The idea of using deadly weap
ons against fellow being, and at the same
: time feel kindly towards, and wish wei
I to, and pray fol" that fellow being, is some
D thing that cannot conceive of. It is exact
. ly reversing the practical teaching of GU
j, Savior and the first following martyr. Th
o former prayed, (" Father forgive them; 70
: they know not what they do "-the latter
S " Lord, lay not this sin to their charger
Were such prayers as these ever toun
), in the mouths of those whose hands wei
% at the same time engaged in slaughterin
d their fellow beings2
Ii P. S. 1t has been intimated TO me I
r. some one, that have not Sufficiently met.
IS have passed along, my opponents doctril
ay in regard TO means and ends 1t has n
l." been my design to pass over any thing. B
ds I have necessarily made out some parts
nd nv review in great haste. Thanks for ca
he ing nv attention to this point. It is impo
he ant that il should be attended to and its r
tenness exposed-which can be done II
ST very few words.
vii His whole argument on this point P
MS ceeds on the monstrously corrupt prlnci
lis- that the end sdnctifes the means. He c
the ers it up very plsusibly, TO be sure. Blu
IN can be uncovered in a moment. In i'll
tilt, tra,ing his view Of the case he al!ndes to
r to means we use in procuring food, secul
With ourselves against wild animals, floods,
deal Now there may not be erery means use
secure these ends. We may plow, and {
aph, and reap, to procure food-but we may
He steal or rob. We may leave the tige
hief- the cage, and use laudable means TO Sc
u its him there-but, for fear our own lives
xists be destroyed we may not cause him Il
ould strov the lives of others. We may
ings Unsuitable means TO secure ourselves az
self food-but, for fear it will sweep US a
g he we NAV not take hold and turn 1t to th'
Z not tain destruction of our neghbors. !
our lives are III any way jeoparded, we
&c nse all christian means to preserve
pas but, to save our own lives, we
not slay our fellow beings. In 81
'milys' of these opinions Iappeal to every
nonld the lives of our Savior and apost
in its well as TO all their precePts on the
III in MANY Of which I have quoted from /
r. 81 time. The corrupt doctrine that OF
aMENT lives are TO be preserved by aH mean
ectIve not be found in the precepts or exam
the Great Teacher or Of his disciples
. 'u not TO be found in the Christian relil
re- Ii comes only fro m the corrupt four
- human depravity.
go The following article on the sub
$50 Peace and Nom Resistance contain
and the u seful hints for the consideration OF
ion nor ponent and as many as agree with b