Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-04-19
CONSIDERATIONS.

! CONFEDERATION
Respecting the Laufulness of War under the Cos
| pei Dspensdtion.
/ Addressed to the Teachers and professors o
Christianity throughout the
United States.
'.Si,a,l the sword devour forever7-"
2 Samuel ii &c.
Soemnly impressed, are, with the be-
lief that ar is irreconclabe with the precepts
and spiri, Of the Gospel. and prohibited by it,
we cannot but feel that a fearful weight of re-
sponsbity is assumed by Christian nations in
its prosecution; and under this conviction are
constrained to invite the professors Of the Chris
tan religion, and especially those who are look
ed to as its expounders, to a very serious and
unbiased conside of this subject.
If we advert to the consequences resultn e
from warts t. ndency to lower the standard OF
public morals-the slaughter and misery ItPro-
duces-ahe domestic bereaveynents. the anguish,
and 'nrourhfg YBssperably from it--a subject is
presented toeour view, possessing the strongest
claim to the serious reflection Of the professors
Of the benign religion Of Jesus Christ.
1t has been highly gratifying to observe ofiat-
ter years, that the most enlightened nations have
manifested an increasing reluctance to appeal
to the sword-that cruel and uncertain arblter--
in the settlement of National controversies by
peaceful negotiation, have, in numerous in
stances, 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 in
huence Of pure, elevated moral principles and
feelings had obtained such tendency in the
minds Of the people, as 10 prevent an appeal
to arms; but this pleasing anticipation has not
been realized. Our country. for a considerable
time, has been engaged in war-exerting its
powe rfuI energies in the work Of human slangh-
ter. The fields of neighboring nation have
been strewn with the bodies Of the slain, and its
soil drenched W it'll their blood. Can it be that
this is in accordance with the precepts and the
spirit of our holy religion.
The Prophets, in foretelling the coming oft
Messiah, and pescribing the nature OF his mis-
sion, prese mt him in the character Of the Pr'nce
Of Peace,-of the increase Of achose government
and pe1cc there shall be no end 1t IS declared
that ''He shall judge among the nations, and
shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat
the ir swords into ploughshares, and their spears
into pruning hooks; nation shall not tttf mp s'cord
against nation neither shall they learn car any
more. This strong aud unequivocal language
clearly indicates, that it was the will and puf-
pose Of the Most High that should eventu
ally be abolished.
And in the fulness of time. when an angel
was commissioned to announce the advent of
the promised Saviour. the annunciation was ac-
p,y,i.
titude Of the heavenly host, prasing God, and
saying, glory to C cd in the highest, aud OH earth
peace, good will towards men"
In harmonious agreement with the language
Of prophecy, and ecstatic song Of the angelic
host, the life and ministry of our Lord and
Saviour. The law Of the preceding dispensa-
,ion admitted the principle Of re,aliation--"An
eve for an eye, i tooth for a tooth" lie adverts
TO this for the express purpose of placing apro-
hbtion upon it. 'But l say unto you, that ye
resist not evil. but whatsoever shall smite thee
on thy right check, turn to him the other also.
While those under the Law were allowed TO hate
an enemy, 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 despi,ef fully use you. and prosecute
YOU that ye may be the children of your Faith
er which is in Heaven"
Now if the followers Of Christ forbidden
to resist evil, and to hate enemy, it is evident
that the spirit which engenders war cannot be
entertained by them; and this conclusion is rem
dered, il possible, still stronger, by the high
stand ard, holy inducement to which he immedi-
ately directs their attention. "That ye 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 ia
miar TO the class OF readers whom We address.
They plain and positive; and they receive adj
litional force from the accompanying reference
10 the Law OF the preceding dspensation. They |
ire the precepts and injunctions of Him whom
we call our Lord and Master-and whom pro-
ess to love and serve.
We ask for no new, strained meaning to
hesc precepts; we accept the words in their
,lain, litera me aiming; and SO they were evident
y accepted by the Apostles; and the primitive
believers. OF this there can be no doubt. If
Ne recur to Apostolic language as is presented
n the Epistle to the Churches, we shall there
meet with injunctions, aud exhortations, and en-
aties in strict accordance with the precepts Of
heir Divine Master. "Be not overcome Of evil,
,ut overcome evil with good.'' See that none
render evil for evil, to any man; but ever follow
hat which is good. both among yourselves. and
o all men, "Love brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous, not rendering railing for railing, but
blessing; knowing that ye are there
into called, that We should inherit blessing"
Dearly beloved; avenge not yourselves; but
ather give place unto wrath; for it is written,
vengeance is mine; will repay, saith the Lord"
Now let us ask, if the language could be franz
d, more strongly prohibiting tho indulgence Of
The spirit which produces war, than that in the
preceding passages.
If it be said that war is not directly, and spe-
,i6cally interdicted; We reply, neither was sui
tide nor many other universally acknowledged
crimes.
1t was seen fit to forbid them by enforcing
hose virtues that must effectually excluded T
hem. If Christianity forbids those passions