The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-22
BRANDON, Thursday May %, 1915.

VINO kept his sayings nnu obeyed his com
nandmen,s, should BE- endowed with an
unlimited power 10 work great works
among and upon men-greater works,
even, than som4 that he wrought himself
while going about healing the sick and
raising the dead. Now, Christian men
s. ministers, a, this late age OF The world,
when the new revelations OF nature and
science have done their utmos, 10 furnsh
you wila new means and elements OF mor>
al strength, do you feel that you have this
power II! your commando A, this crisis
of your country, can you lilt up s,and>
ard against the enemy that threatens TO
come 10 like food. 10 scorch the land
with its burning breath; to set on fire
passions as malignant as malice can
breathe or hell endure to redden he souls
and reddeu the hands Of protesting Chris.
tians with the hot blood CT mutual buche-
Fy; to open every sluice gate OF society to
a deluge OF iuflelily, in,emperaEce aud
every form ofcorruption to SOW his prom
sng field, just terminating with the seed
Of The Gospel, with the Dragon teeth Of
nate ; to pagauize Christianity, and chain
ii, powerIess and degraded. 10 the car OF a
Gorgon-headed Apolyon. 10 be dragged
under the axle OF his chario, into the red
So lpburous ti.;s Of battle, into the human
slaug httr> field. whore deeds are done
which have no parallels in the record or
the region Of fallen spirits!
In The name Of God ard Humanity, lie,
me, in earnes. humi'i y adjure you 10 arise
Ike him who sIumbered on the lap Of his
Deliah, and shake yourselves. and see
whether you have any, The still slightest
iota, Of moral power to hold the hands u
the Philis,ines who are upon you, to stem
the desola,ing curse Of war, and roll back
the vcngeful current OF igniIed passion,
threaten 10 involve in brutal and bloody
conflict two Christian aud kindred nations
Have not the events OF the past year re-
vealcd your impo'ence9 Arc you not yet
awake 10 the character Of your position
Are you no, compelled 10 lee and is no.,
the sentiment ffuught with afl:tion, that,
in discussing the question OF opening The
sluices Q! human blood. the peaceful reli-
gion which you teach and profess is not
recognized. by the rulers OF your own
election, as in,erposng the sIightes. obs!a.
Gle to war for territory, honor, glory or
crime2 Nay, have you not virtually com,
miued and pledged the sanction and inna>
-nce ofthe Christian religion 10 war wag>
ed for any or all oflh objects have men.
rioned} Having compromised between
the memorable principles OF the gospel and
the rebelious instincts OF human nature,
by admitting ina, all wars arc not sinful
do you no, find that your feet are sinking
in treacherous quicksauds, the very mo-
nenl you attempt 10 oppose any war o
After having taught icen,ous world
tina! defensive wars are consistent with tbs
love breathing doclrinrs Of Jesus Christ
aEer having said 10 the infamed and blood
thirsty passions Of men, Thus far We may
como, can you cheek The overwhelming
and fiery lorren! with the broken reed Of
your will, and say. Thus lar shall We &c
and no fur!hcr2
Sober minded, di>passionaIe Christians
do you no. feel that there is melancholy
parity between your presenl condition and
tina, of Inc shorn Samson, when he awok,
"aud wis no, that the L,rd was dep,rlec
from him ~ Else why have you MOI
power with God and men, enough tc
prevail to the unbrokcn peace o
The world to lay your hands upon the
Gosp:! and cay, in the strength Of its pow
er and vision, that war shall never rcd
den again the soil Of Chrislendom with
the blood Of blood, bought men l. no
the secret Of yoar weakness hidden ia tn,
; fa:;. tia, you have pu, the Plble to SIccT
\ in the lap of carnnl cxpediency, and per
mi!ed the PhiIis.jnes of this ungod,
world to shear down is highest, heaven
born doctrines which prohibit all physi.
cal resistance OF evil or injury. 10 the lev
! el--sye, below The IcveI--oflhe lowest in
5 Stincts OF human nature!