Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-04-14

"Shall the sword deyour forever ?''-2 SAM,
ii. SO.
Solemnly impre ssed, as we are. with the
belief that war is irreconcilablc with The pre-.
cepts and the spirit Of the Gospel, and prohi-
biied by it, we cannot but feel that a fearful
weight of responsibility is assumed by Chris
tian nations in its prosecution and under
this conviction VIC are constrained 10 invite
the professors Of the Christian religion, and
especially those who are looked to as its ex.
Founders, 10 a very serions and unbiased
consideration of this subject.
IL we advert 10 the consequences resulting
from war-its tendency TO lower the standard
81 public morals-the slaughter and misery
It Produces-lhe domestic bereavements, an
Fuish, and mourning inseparable from it-a
subject is presented to our view, possessing
the strongest claim to the serious reflection
of the professors Of the benign religion Of Je-
sus Christ.
1t has been highly gratifying to observe of
I latter years, that the most enlightened nations
have manifested an increasing reluctance 10
appeal tothe sword-that cruel and uncertain
arbiter-in the settlement of national contro-
versies; apd that the efforts TO adjust those
controversies by peaceful negotiation, have,
in numerous instances, been crowned with
the most satisfactory results.
The hope, indeed, had been cherished, that
in the present enlightened age Of the world,
and particularly in this enlightened country,
the influence Of pure. elevated moral princi-
Piles and feelings, had obtained such an as
cendancy in the minds of the people, as to
prevent an appeal 10 arms; but this pleasing
anticipation has not been realized. Our coun-
Try, for a considerable time, has been engag-
cd in war-eXerting its powerful energies in
the work Of human slaughter. The fields Of
a neighboting nation have been strewn with
the bodies of the slain, and its soil drenched
with their blood. Can ii be that this is in
accordance with the precepts and the spirit
Of our holy religion!
The Prophets, in foretelling the coming Of
the Messiah, and describing tue nature of his
mission, presents him in the character of the
Prince IF Peacc-cf The increase Of ,chose gor-
ernment and pecce, there shall be no end. 1t
Is declared that He shall Judge among the
nations, and shall rebuke MANY people; and
they shall beat their swords into pioughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation
ShnH not lift up s,cord against nation, neifAer
shall they learn ,car any more" This strong
and unequivccal language clearly indicates,
that 1t was the will and purpose of the Most
High that wal should eventually be abolish
ed.
And in the ~fulness Of time, when an angel
was commissioner to annoCnce the ad yent of
the promised Savior, the communication was
accompanied with a rapturous song from "a
multitude Of the heavenly host, praising God
and saying, glory TO God in the highest, and
on earth peace, and goodwill towards men,"
In harmonious agreement with the language
Of prophecy, and the ecstatic song of the an
gelic host, was the life and ministry of our
Lord and Savior. The law of the preceding
dispensation, admitted the principle of retali-
ation--'An eyefor an eye, a tooth for a tooth
lie adverts TO this for the express purpose of
placing a prohibition upon II. But | say
unto yon, That ye resist not evil but who
soever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also" While those
under the Law were allowed 10 hate an enc
my, His command isl say unto you, love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them
that despitefully use you, and prosecute you
thai ye may be the cAihiren Of your Father
,Ohich is in Hearen."
Now if the followers Of Christ are forbid
den TO resist evil, and to hate an enemy it
is evident that the spirit which engenders
war cannot be entertained by them and this
conclusion is rendered, if possible, still stron-
ger, by the high standard, and holy induce
ment to which he Immediately directs their
attention. That we may be the children OF
your Father which is in Heaven"
Many other similar precepts from the same
high authority could be adduced, but they
are familiar 10 the class of readers whom We
address. They are plain and positive; and
they receive additional force from the accom-.
q nanNiuu rafaranca IN tho lau Of the nranalinu
dispensation. They are the precepts and in,
functions vi Him whom we call our Lord and
Master-and whom we profess TO love and
serve.
We ask for no new, or strained meaning
10 these precepts; we accept The words ID
their plain, literal import; and so they werC
evidently accepted by the Apostles, and the
primitive believers. OF This there can be nc
doubt. If we recur to Apostolic language as
> 1t is presented in the Epistles TO the Church
es, we shall there meet with injunctions, and
eXhortaiions, and entreaties in strict accord
ance with the precepts of their Divine Mas
ter. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good" "See that none render evil
for evil, to any man.; but ever follow that
; which is good, both among yourselves, and
10 all men," Love as brethren, be pitirul,
be courteous, not rendering railing for railing,
but coDtTariwise, blessings knowing That We
arc %ihereunto eaHed, that ye shOuH inherit a
blessing" dearly beloved, apenge MOI your
getosi, but rather give place unto wrath; 70;
II IL written, Vengeance Is mine I riH repay
saith The Lord"
Now let us ask, if language could be fra
med, more strongly prohibiting the indulgence
OF the sP II which produces war, than that
in The preceding passages.