Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-06
S IT LAWFUL FOR CHRISTIANS TO
BEAR ARMS?

Some friend has sent us handsome VOLUME,
entitled "An Inquiry into the accordancy 81 war
with The principles OF Christianity" &C., By Jo-
nathan Dimend. II is an ingenious and well
written essay, bya member Of The Society OF
Friends, intended 10 prove that all wars are in d.
rect violation of The principles OF christianity and
that il is The duty OF all citizens, who believe thai
war is incompatible with his religion, mildly and
temperalely &c, firmly, 10 refuse 10 se1re We
have the hishes. regard for The honesty, loving
charity and simple sturdy virtues OF The Society
Of Friends. They practise The noble precepis
which they profess and form a most useful and
valuable portion Of every community But their
doctrine OF "non-Iesislance," when carried ont 10
lis extreme length, cannot but exert an injurious
influence upon the destinies OF nations and indl-
ridsals. Under its exercise, our own happy land
would have been far behind in the noble race Of
nalions-and The rich privileges which christian
sects ef every denomination enjoy under our
free institutions, would have been sealed book
10 us. No one deprecates the physical and moral
evils OF war more than ourselves-but there are
periods when nation cannot avoid The issue,
without sacrifice OF It's most incslimable privlle.
pes. OF The respect of The world and consequently OF
impunily OF attack from foreign foes. The wars
in which We have been engaged were justified
mol ony by The dictates OF protection and defence,
I'M by The most elevated moral considerations
We would avoid war as long Is possible; but
when the honor and rights of the nation arc as
sailed, we can see no violation oil christian duty,
when its citizens rush 10 lis defence.
On The poin, in discussion, however, whether
i, is lawful for Christians 10 bear arms, we beg
leave 10 introduce The testimony OF VIM. Paley,
Archdeacon of Carlisle, as high authority. II
is true, The volume before lis attempts 10 reiue
the positions OF paley, but we think without sue
cess. Paley, in the chapter OF his Moral Phllo-
sophy on "War and Military Establishments"
says:
because The Christian Scriptures describe
wars Gas what they aIe) as crimes or judgments,
some have been LED 10 believe that il IS unlawful
for Christian 10 bear arms But II should DC
remembered, that il may be necessary Tor ndrl-
duas 10 unite their force, and, for This end, 10
resign themselves 10 The direction oil common
will. and vet il may be true, that that will Is
often acinaicd by criminal motives, ard often
determined 10 destructive purposes. Hence,
although the origin of wars be ascribrd in Scrip
iure 10 the operation Of lawless and malignant
passions, and though war itself be enumerated
amongst The sorest calami,es with which land
can be visited, The profession of soldier is
nowhere lo hidden OF condemned. When The
soldiers demanded Of John The Baptist what
they shonld do, he said unto them. DO violence
10 no man. neither accuse any falsely and BE-
conen, with your wages In which answer we
do moi find that in order 10 prepare themselves
for the reception of the Kingdom OF God, il was
required Of soldiers TO relpqush their profession,
butt only that they should beware OF the vices OF
which ha, profession was accused. The pfecept
which follows 'be content with your wages
supposed them 10 continue in their situation. II
was OF Roman centurion that Christ pronoun-
ced thai memorable eulogy-1 have not found
50 great faith, no, not in Israel The first Gen
lilc convert who was received into The Christian
church, and 10 whom The gospel was impaired by
Inc immediate and especial direction Of Heaven,
held the same station and, In The history OF this
transaction, VIC discover no, The smallest inlIma-
lion thai Cornelius, upon becoming Christian,
quilted The service Of The Roman legion; that his
profession was objected TO, or his continuance in
il considered as, in any wise, Inconsistent wiIhhls
new character"