Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-02-12

syt us say l. oAAA - VA ASbtaAS
and therefore | can not fight" Il
CELSIUS, who lived at the end of the
second century, attacked the christian
charging It's followers, among
other things, with refusing to bear arms
for the Emperor, even IN cases OF neces-
sity; saving, that if the rest of the en-
pire were Of their opinion, 1t would soon
be overrun by the barbarians. Orgen,
who lived in the third century, admits in |
his answer to CELSIUS, that the christians
would hot bear arms, and justifes them
for refusing, on the principle Of the un-
lawfuIness Of war.
These early writer's considered the
prophecy that swords should be turned
into ploughshares, &c.. was in the act of
completion in individuals of those times.
Ireneus, about the year $50, says
"the christians have changed their swords
and their lances into instruments of peace
and they know not how to, fight"
Justin Martyr, contemporary with Ire
naas asserts. that "the prophecy is full
filled, you have good reason to believe,
! for we, who in times past killed one
another, do not now fight with our ene-
mics"
! That there were no christian soldiers
in the first and second century, is evident,
and that christianity was then in its pur-
est state, will, | trust. be granted by all.
Let US now trace their character, as
given by Athanagorus, Justin Martyr,
Minucius Felix, and others; and see how
it squares with their principles and prac-
tice. They were, say these writer's
plain and frugal in their apparel and fur.
niture; temperate in their eating and
drinking; relinquished all the diversions
of the times, which they saw had any
tendency to evil; punctual to their words
and engagements; lovers Of truth, and of
) one another; kind, courteous and Chart
able to others, beyond example; abs.aned
from all manner of violence. prayed for
their enemies who prosecuted them; were
patterns Of humility and patience; made
no sacrifices Of conscience, even 10 save
5 their lives"
But in the third century, the christian
e discipline began TO relax; and degener-
! acy took place. Corruptions are noticed
in this century by various writer's; Cyp
!, ran complains of them in the middle
, and Eusebius at the end of it. The lat
A ter gives melancholy account of thei
change: "that they INDUCED in luxuries
Y began to be envious, and quarrelsome
e and to dssembIe, and falsify their words.
e That such as these should be found If
$ the army, is not to be marvelled at.
But the professors of christianity wer.
d still more degenerate in the fourth cen
!, fury Lactantius, in his "death of tn,
e prosecuted" says, "there were christians
+ who assisted at some Of the heather sac
IS ri6ces. Abundance of evils sprung Vi
st in the church in this century Constan
,, tine the Emperor protesting to embrac
o the christian religion, it became the rei
J, gfon of the state but he introduced int
1t the church, many pagan ceremonies an
n supersttions, TO Its great detriment. An,
Of what else could be expected. when he di
N not dispense with the blasphemous title
re that had been given to his predecessors {
n Eternity. Divinity, and Pon,ifex Max
n mus. But the christians, pleased wit
re having an Emperor Of their own pei
h suasion, submitted to his idolatrous Gus
y toms, opinions, and innovations upon thei
N religion, sacrificing their consciences t
y their ease and safety. Thus their scru
r pies against war relaxed, and the unlaw
10 fitness Of it was given up And n
K marvel if it was, when such mixture G
= christianity and paganism had taken pfac
5 in the church.
a Now, seeing that the early christians
If who lived in the time Immediately fol
e lowing that Of the apostles, uniforml
: refused to fight, even in national contests
l. and those of the present day plead tn
lie lawfulness of war; how are we 10 recor
q, cile this conrariety? My brethren. doe
lie it not call for a strict scrutiny, in order t
g find. from whence came this great chang
n from primitive belief and practice? l.
y US, with unbiased minds, examine care
fully the connected sense of the doctrin
n, Of the New Testament, and let that dete,
De mine whether or not the horrid practic
ID of saughtering men under any pretenct
H. can be supported on christian principles.
=. All Truth Import ant.
To- Not long since, heard the doctrine az
IS vanced from the pulpit, that, notwithstane
e, ing great truths are most important, a
truths are important, from the relation ths
OF one truth bears to other truths, and that
:. truths bear to each other. AS illustratiy
of OF the position taken, the speaker said tn;
10 though the corner and foundation stones
he building may appear TO be most importat
ad lii lis structure, yet the whole ediGce ma
no be thrown down by the removal Of sma
az stones. The man loho hates and reject
:, certain truths ariH be affected 6y it fhro
q NIL h1o ..na.a.co L.. IL :.