The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-01

and no warrant for it in the word OF God
We have traced it, in essential character
from the darkness of paganism TO the pres
ent day still depending on religious sane
tion to defend its barbarity. And we find
to this day, the Bible, the christian religion
and the gospel minister claimed, asserted
retained, in its support. And we have seen
the claim of religious sanction in accord
ance with the faith of a people necessary to
its support. And now Rev. and Dear Sirs
in view of these circumstances have the
church and have you at their head nothing
to do2 Are the claims of the war system
on you granted, or denied2 Ifsuch claims
be true be pleased to acknowledge them and
convince me of my error. If not free your
selves from the imputation which by implied
consent still rests upon you. But it is not
enough to discard and denounce the enor-
nous evil, it is your duty also to correct it 2
Head not the objection that such an attempt
would be an interference with the preroga-
tives of state. State authority has no right
| to draw line of protection, around class
of crimes, such as murder, robbery, theft,
Sabbath breaking, and all the nameless
horrors Of the war system, and forbid in
temperance even by religious rebuke. Nor
does it pretend it. But on the con trary Sc
cures to US religious liberty, 10 prosecute the
work of reform. Indulge not the thought,
that your means are inadequate to the end.
Are they less efficient than those of pagan
priesthood ? For what purpose has the
Providence of God placed you in the atti-
tude of teachers in society for what pur>
pose do the mullitudes Of all grades listen
on your instruction, one day in seven2 for
what purpose is it ordained, tina, you should
preside in our literary institutions, that un-
der your moulding hand should pass the in
cipient statesman, hero and civilian for
what purpose is committed TO your hands
the churches, as the salt Of the earth and
the Eight of the qoorld,' making them, your
epistles, known and read Of all men p and
above all, for what purpose is given unto
you mouth and wisdom which all your
adversaries' have not been, and shall not be
able To gainsay or resist p and the promise,
'Lo am with you?' With these advanta-
ges, it becomes your indispensable duty to
bring down the full energies Of your high
commission to bear upon this enormous evil
with omnipotent force. Why7 With such
advantages, shall the history Of our world
continue on history Of war; Shall the
sword devour forever2' Why not arraign
the system Of war naked before the moral
law Of God in all its purity in all its au>
thority2 Why not strip from the horrid
practice, all that glory and all that apology
which popular fame has thrown around it,
and leave the devotee of war to the gnaw-
ings of guilty conscience abhored of God,
and cast out from the bosom OF society; a
fugitive and vagabond upon earth, until with
desparing Cain, cry out in anguish, my
punishment is greater than Can bear I? or
melt in penitence before God and return to
the quiet brotherhood of man? The means
are in your hands. Is not the event at your
option2 Your encouragement in this work
is abundant. The visions of enraptured
Isaiah are before you. You have in your
hands the same gospel he anticipated. Why
not apply ii to the same purpose2 No real
objection exists in the fact, Mat skeplics, ia
natics and no government men, have AFRO
gated TO themselves, exclusively, the doc
trines Of peace. The adoption of these doc
trines is not an alliance with their errors,
but on the contrary would remove one ex-
elusive claim which has served a life-pre>
server to false systems, and borne up errors
which without it would sink Of their own
weight. No time should be lost. Ambi-
Iion is waiting her opportunity, TO drive the
plow-share Of war with the new impetus of
modern invention over the fair and fertile
fields of society, now become yerdanl by re-
spite. The church are waiting your will 10
call them 10 the work ofpeace. The alter
native is bef,re you. Is not the event al
your option2 b.
PROGRESS.
From The Signal Of Liberty Michigan.
lConcludcd from last weeh ]
The Liberty meetings of Detroit are
z..zsl,l I,. Al