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

i,es, over the minds of men constituting the
councils of Princes --.when this happy perod
shall arrive, war will cease thfoug hput the
whole Christian world"
Now, il it be true that--" The dispositions
which lead TO war are absolutely forbidden by
the Gospel ;"-lf they :" are quite abhorrent To
he benignity of Chns,aniiv '--if war INTRO
duces and propagates opinions aud practices as
much against Heaven as against earth - u II
" lays our nature aud our manners as waste
our gardens and habtauons," aud renders II
difficult TO preserve the beauty OF the one, as
the integrity Of the other -
Ifs There is not virtue Of Gospel good.
ness, but has i,s dealh-bIow from war IF It
is productive of "prohlgacy, liberlnIsm, and
infideIIy ;"--f all this be true, should not every
wise and good man---shouId moi all who are
seeking TO promote the present and eternal vel
fare of their lellowmen, unite IN one great aud
untiring effort to aboIish,-- TO Danish from the
earth this cruel, demorazng, and destructive
scourge?
| A state of universal and enduring peace
even If, as some suppose. II Is 10 be accom-
pIlshed by special Inlerposilion Of Divine
| Providence, at some remote period of rime,---ls
delightful theme 10 contemplate.
We, also, believe, in accordance with proph
ecy, that it will arrive but, we believe that It
will be result. of individual failhfulness. We
fully unite in opinion with the Bishop OF Llsn-
daft, that peace will become universal, when
ever the spirit of Christianity shall exert It's
proper influence ;'---and we have shown that
Christianity did produce IL, in an earlier and
purer state of the Church---sO far, al least, as
Christianity prevailed.
If, then, peace on earth be looked TO as an
end and an aim of our holy rehgon--is not
each Individual believer called upon 10 cult
vale in himself, and endeavor TO promote In
others. those feelings and that course of con-
duct which are calculated to produce this blessed
effect
We have ven,used especially to request lha
attention of those who have assumed The respon-
sble station of ministers and teachers OF The
Christian religion, TO this subject, because.
whatever effects the character OF this religion,
or opposes It's progress in the world. seems
peculiarly 10 claim their notice. And we would
suggest, that the fact of our country being at
i The present time engaged in war furnishes a
strong reason for entering into careful exam
inali0n Of the evidence respecting The lawful.
ness Of war under the Gospel dispensa'Ion.
Nav we venture 10 ask whether those pacific
principles by which The Church In the apostolic
age--.and, indeed, during the first and greater
part of The second centuries, was SO remarkably
distinguished, are inculcared by The Christian
teachers of the presen, day, with that cIeafness
aud fulness, TO which they are Justly entitled!
Even those who do not fully unite with Us
in the belief, that war is unreservedy prohb-
L,,, II 81; ado hat
besides the misery and suffering ii produces.
it is highly demorazing-and that it emnently
tends to retard the progress OF vital religion among
men and if so, the glorious theme of "peace
on earth" should not fail to find devoted advocates
in all who are sincerely seeking to promote the
present and eternal welfare of their fellow men.
: We are aware that when the public mind is strong
ly excited. it may require great moral courage and
deep and abiding sense OF duty, to enable the
pastor to stand firmly at his post, and advocate
the noble cause of peace But these are occasions
when, by reason of the position he occupies, his
constant intercourse with the people, and the In
fuence he exeits upon their feelings. he may-by
restraining, or by giving right direction to the
popular impulse-become instrumental In hasten.
ing the day when righteousness shall cover the
earth as the waters cover the sea.
In conclusion, we would ask attention to one
view of the subject of war, which commends itself
with awful solemniy to the consideration of all.
and with peculiar force to those We now ad-
dressing We refer to the ultmate-to the unseen
consequences of war-to the final state Of the
myriads of spirits, disembodied, it is greatly to
be feared, while under the influence of the most
ferocous passions, and sent uncalled, into the
world of righteous retrlbuton.
The reflection is awful indeed-and must, we
would fam hope, command the most serious atten-
ton -and by producing firm conviction Of the
utter incompatibility of war with the meek, forgiv-
ing, and peaceable spirit of the Gospel lead to in
creased and earnest efforts to eradicate from the
earth this scourge to the family of man
If. then, the fruits of war be anguish unspeaka
ble and bitterness in the latter en,--hnw strong
how powerful Is the claim upon our efforts to op-
pose it, and restore the Church to the state of pu
rity in which it stood in the primitive period ofits
existence
May the Lord in his mercy hasten the day when
this shall be effected when nation shall no longer
lift p-sword against nation, and the people shall
learn war no more but the kagdoms OF this world
shall become the kingdoms of the Lord. and ofhis
Christ.
Signed on behalf and by direction Of Meeting
of the Represeptatiues Of the Religious Society
of the Fyiends. of the Yearly Meeting Of Nes1
York, held 80 the City of NsW York. the 4tA
of FIRST month, l3i8.
4 RICHARD CARPENTER. Clerk.