Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-09-09

ciety, by vote of two thirds of the mem
berS present
Officers Of The Society.
Rev. IRA SMITH. President.
Rev. GEO NEEDHAM, v. President.
JNo ORvIs, Secretary.
J. H. BYRD, Treasurer.
Erecutice Committee
w. B. ORvIs, DEA n. Brown,
DBA. H. A. PEAsE.
Declaration Of Sentiments adopted by the
Ojerlin Non Resistance Society.
The undersigned having formed them
selves into IA society for the promotion of
peace on earth, and good will among men,
deem it a duty devolving on them to-
make ii declaration of their sentiments.
LIST. We believe that the precepts of
Christ forbid all resistance of our fellow
men by physical force-that forgiveness
of injuries is the unconditional duty Of ev-
cry maui at christians may not take
upon themselves authority or responsible
ty IT, do oiherwIse-that men in stations
OF power can never be justified in the use
nf carnal weapons while il is wrong 10 en-
Iplny them in private apacily-that the
christians work is not TO corrce and pun
ish men lis ministers OF wralh,' but to
suffer and die for them as ministers of
mercy.
I'd. We believe that the gospel prohib-
is all wars aud fghlings, whether often
sIve or defensive; whether between indi-
vidualS or nationS-that it prohibits all
preparations for them, whether they be-
military systems, Qualifications, navies,
standing armies, or acquisitions for militia
nv services that it condemns all lllera.
lure that tends 10 inspire above of militia
ry glory, and appeals OF patriotism, as cal
culaled 10 infl me national pride, and ex-
cite to jealousy and war.
81. We believe that, as christians, we
NAV not acknowledge allegiance TO any
human organizations, civil or ccclesia>tic-
al, which are sustained by violence, be-
Cause they are usurpations of the prerog
atives of God, 10 whom alone, we owe
counter and supreme alIegiance-because
they destroy Eau's free agency, aud, by
exercising the power of life and dtalt
over men, they become the arblters o
mems eternal deslinies-because they are
founded in blood, and upheld by Continue
ldlsobrdlence 10 the laws of ChrIst-be
cause God has not given His children tn,
right to dictate and control one anolhc
against the will of eilher-because, il
= shori, the civil and ecclesiastical power
of this world, based on violence. are no
of Christ, but are 10 be consumed, an,
superseded by that Kingdom which shal
have no end
Wherefore we NAV not hold any legi:
lative. judicial, or executive office unde
: them, where we shall come under obliga
lion 10 execute penal enaclmenls, nor vot
that others may-we may not engage
law suits. nor appeal TO such powers, e
d Their for the punishment Of evil doors, {
for any redress of grievances we al
y rather 10 suffer ourselves 10 b. defraude
= while we submit aud threaten not
d Trusting 10 the invincible power
d, kindness, which begets kindness in T
4 turn, and desiring 10 exercise that benev
/ lence in others. we fear not to repose co
Ut fidtnce IN God alone, as our Protect
oil and Guide while we are subjects Of II
e. kingdom.
&C 4h. We believe that the gospel is c
n posed 10 no conventional compact, in
~ which men my enter, for the promoll
rs Of any objects of benevo!ence. provided
If compu sorry power be assumed by 81
" compact nor does III, gos lei teach 4
Us, God does not prefer the existence of
rty man organizations based on violence, "a
is er than anarchv-nor that he has not
Or constituted man, and so ordered in
Zen counsels and providence, that when n
nv revolls from Him, he will seek aatho
ar over, and protection from. his fellow n
lck The onIv alternative left TO man is
ust IL giance TO God o. allegiance to mai
Ory We do not hence infer that God app
ire ingly ordains the powers that be-
hen simply, that By them He causes sell
v of ness, and sin 10 restrain sir. We bel
W. that we are bound to submit to the or
'nly ances Of man, for the Lords sake, and
and resist them; but obey human rulers, a
e 10 as they require of Us nothing conlrar
EN- the law of God When we canno:
pro- der obedience, we will meek v subT
take the penalty, trusting in God for succo
ssist We are not 10 use carnal weapons II
but posing the powers of earih, but all tn
oldly position we may make TO violence, o
Ther- in any form, must be IN The spirit al
ter the example Of Christ. We be