The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-23
COM M u MIC A ITO N.
PRINCIPLES OF PEACE.--No. 10.

OF III OlCo VI biSSuOiA
PRINCIPLES OF PEACE.S.NO. 10.
What connection 1thas Ethe prote slant
church with the chivalrous character OF the
dark ages2 We answer, that connection
which it has with International war. 81 For
war is Numerically opposed to pristine. pu-
rity of the church. The example of the
christian church disconnected from pagan
mixture has from the first, borne testimony
against it. That this was the case for the
first three centuries we have already sutfi-
ciently shown. And fragments of history,
and incidentally recorded facts, warrant the
opinion, that church Of puriians OF similar
faith, has existed under different names or
epilhets, such as their enemies were pleased
to give them, in every age, from the days Of
Christ down TO the reformation oil the 10th
century, and indeed sufficient to warrant
The presumption that even before the COM
bination of church and state under Constan-
line, there was fourshing, a distinct CON-
munion, in almost every part Of the Roman
empire, which stood aoof from that corrupt
ing alliance, and continued bearing a test,
mony for the word of God and the faith of
Jesus, down through the dark ages 10 the
reformation. (See Encyclopedia Such
a church was at that time found under the
name of WalLenzcs, or Valdenzes, more
pure and liberal in their views than even
the eminent relormers of that age. And the
subsequent example of many emnently pi-
Gus and philanthropic men has also corrob>
GRATED The same sentiment of peace. So
that we may fairly infer the aggregate evil
dence from the example of the christian
church is against the lawfulness of war.
But it will be asked, if war is pagan in its
nature and derivation how could ii escape
the reformation of the 18th century We
answer, it did not. Zwingle and his coaG-
tutors raised their voice against mercenary
service in war (the kind Of service by which
wars are now prosecuted,) and associated
it with such crimes as injustice to the poor
and intemperance. But circumstance
soon occurred unfavorable TO carrying for
ward this point Of reform. In throwing off
the yoke of religious despolism the reform
ers found themselves claimed as the head of
a faction impatient TO throw ufl the restraints
of civil law also. And military force being
employed against the insurgents, those en-
inent men, as good citizens, directed their
energies to restore tranquility and submits
sion to the laws. Thus while the sword, |
(the accustomed instrument of wary was
suppressing the instruction, the retormers
were seen and regarded as its ALLIES, pro-
moting the same end submission to the
]aws.) Soon after this, Grotius arose, a
man rare in genius and erudilion, yet dan
gerous in theology Gausin, whoever
makes use of his writings should be aware
that he is treading on fire overspIead with
faithless ashes Such, it is believed, was
the man who frs, attempted to reconcile the
principles of war with the protestant faith.
Vattel's law of nations and laws of war,
succeeded, as an improvement more in ac-
cordance with modern usage. And yet
Vattel himself, acknowledges that the un>
ruly passions of depraved man have prom
inent part in establishing those laws See
Book 3, chap. 3, 525 Were men always
rational they would terminate contests by
the arms of reason only Force is bu, a
wrelched expedient against those who spurn
at JUSTICE And vet in view of such facts
he lays down the laws of war we have be-
fore cited. But must the church retain all
which escaped or outstood the purifying in
huence of Luther and his associates or all
the doctrines and practices Of puritan fathers
of later days? For long time religious
persecution was thought as necessary to the
safety of the church, as war is 10 the safety
of the State Almost all sects of protestants
80 regarded it. And it was by long and te-
dious process that reformers came TO distn-
guish between the right TO punish for crime,
and the right to punish for opinion.
But as we see very clearly those mistakes
TO which they were blinded by prejudice, so
another generation will as clearly see and
wonder at ours. 1t will yet be seen that
lust so far as the protestant church, clergy
or aity, or any of its members give counte-
nance TO war, its principles and honors, just