Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-04-20


tion shall nol lilt up sword against nation, nor
the people learn war any more 80
If in accordance with his prophecy, he pre-
cepts and commandments of our Saviour are
pacific in the fullest degree; strictly enjoinlng
the forgiveness Of injuries; making II The only
condition upon which men can hope 10 be for
given---and if He as strictly prohibited the iu
diligence of spiri, of resentment, or retaa-
tion:---
If the early converts, uuder he teaching OF
The Apostles and their immediate successors,
were SD soemn Y Impressed with the beliei ha'
war was forbidden by their holy Redeemer,
that they could no, be induced to bear arms
for any earthly conslde ra'lon." many of them
nobly yielding up their lives IN confirmation OF
their faith -
If all this be indispuabIe, we ask. if The
proposition Is not fully and clearly established
---ihal war Is a grlevous violation OF The prln-
ciples of our holy religion
1t remains now to account Tor the change
,ha; has taken place In the practice OF the pro-
fessors of this benign religion. IN relation to
war The importance of the subJeci, and the
magnitude of the evils consequent upon The
change, calls for the cIearesl evidence OF It's
propr,erv, and of It's consistency with The pre-
cepls and spirn of the Gospel.
The Apostles foretod that after their dcease,
a departure from the purify OF The Christian
faith would lake place-thal - nen would arise
speaking perverse things, to draw away d'sc-
plies after lhem," and that many would follow
their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the
way of truth would be evil spoken cf."
Il: fnl6 cd
will be generally admitted. The falling away
from the meek and unresis'ng spirit which SO
conspcuously marked the primitive Church, was
gradual, keeping pace with the increase of The
general profigacy, and was doubtless acceIera.
ted by the corIuptmg influence OF union be-
tween the Church and the State.
When priuces adopted the Christian religion
from motives of state policy, lis not just cause
of surprise, that couriers should claim 10 be
converts-nor that modified and adul,erated
system Of religion should ensue, and Ultimate
ly prevail amongst subjec,s,-nor that war
should cease 10 be regarded violation Of
The spirit and precep's Of the Gospel.
II will not be denied. that The precepts and
jnunctions of our blessed Lord, are binding
upon individual believers |, becomes then all
Inquiry of he utmost importance. and We com
mend IL to the mature and solemn reflection OF
ALL Bv what human authority-by what hu-
man tribunal, can community be absoved from
the observance of those Divine laws aud in
functions which are acknowledged 10 be binding
upon lis individual members
If il be said that Christianity exonerales na-
tions from those duties, which she has imposed
upon individuals, we ask for tie ground upon
which the assumption is based. If the plea of
expediepcy be made, does 1t not imply dis
truss of Divine protection! And if expedIency
be justification of violation of one Divine
law, II Is not perceived whv it may not. with
equal propre'y, be urged 10 Justification of a
violation of every other Divine law. If human
authority may abtogare, or suspend one law Of
God, why may no, the same authority exercise
The same power in regard TO every other law
of The Creator? Again, if the plea of expedl-
ency IN relation 10 Christian doctrine and prac
ilce be admissible bv II could not The multi
Iude of martyrs have escaped. who offered up
their lives rather Than deny the Lord that bought
them, or violate his holy inIuncllon>
|, may he said Indeed It often - said, that
war, though great evil is an evil that canno,
and this conclusion may serve TO quiet the con-
sciences of many, whose-teelIngs revolt at the
fearful redlIues of war. Let US examine The
correctness of the conclusion, 'ha, war is una
voidabe-has the ,Ial been made and found 10
be lmpracicable
II is indeed TO be regretted that no instance
Of strictly national character has ye, occurred,
10 test The practicabili'y OF The principle for
hich we plead, AN UNI reasoning reliance upon
the Omnpoent Arm for protection and defence.
There is, however, case 10 which We may
refer, of strong character, and sufficiently ma
lional for all the purposes of our a'ghmeni--
PENNSYLVANIA, it Is known, was settled by men
W no believed tha, Christianity forbade war un-
der any and every pre'ex'. They ac'ed IN
strict accordance wiih this belief. They plant
ed lhemse elves IN the mids' OF savages, They
were surrounded by men who knew nothing Of
wftlen ,rearies, or The obligations of revealed
religion; by meo who were addicted TO war in
its mos, sangu,nary and revolving forms ;.--and
vet :. for more than seventy years" and up 10
the lime that ,he government of the Colony
passed into other hands, they enjoyed un'n'er-
fup'ed peace.
The Pennsylvanans." says Clarkson. (" be-
came armed, though without ann ; they be-
came strong ihongh wiIhoul strength they be
came safe, without the ordinary means OF safe