The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-02-04

pies of his religion A Roman Ceniu-
rion, by the name of Marcellus, on being
converted TO Christianity, resigned his
commission, declaring oft is not lawful
for Christian to bear arms by any con
sideration.'a He, too, suffered death for
refusing to fight. So Cassia, Roman
Notary, was put to death for the same
cause. /" l am,n said he, "A Christian,
and therefore cannot fight" Great num-
bers of the early converts 10 the religion
of Christ, suffered death for the same rea-
son. Clement of Alexandra, defined
the Christians, r"Followers Of peace. "
Lactantius, an early Christian Of note,
said, /" II can never be lawful for righteous
men to 90 to war; Tertullian informs
us that after Christianity had spread over
the Roman Empire "Not a Christian
could be found in the Roman armies"
From the writings of Justin Martyr and
Ireneus, we have positive proof that the
Christians of their day believed that they
were forbidden by the gospel to bear
arms. '-,''
IL was one Of the objections which the
enemies of Christ brought against his
gospel, that his followers would not fight.
Celus, who lived at the end of the second
century, abused the Christians for refus-
ing to bear arms, even in cases of neces-
sity. Origin, in his defence Of Christian
ity, admitted the fact, and justified the
Christians on the ground that war was
unlawful. / refer to these matters, gen.
tlemen, to remind you of the principles
and practices Of Christ and his early fol-
lowers. How would st. John or ST. Paul
have figured at war ineetingG Imag-
inc Jesus stirring up the hellish fires Of
civil war. No! no man can imagine such
a thing! A mans own heart would come
up and smite him Ia the face were he to
attempt it. Then imagine a preacher Of
tho gospel of Christ, thanking God for
rebellion and war. No; he need not i'm
agine it. Let him open his eyes and be-
hold the abhorrent sight. Let him open
his ears, and hear the revenge, the pro-
family, the cruelty, the savage devilish-
ness of war, belching, like flame, out of
a thousand pulpits. The ministers of
blood are summoned into the presence Of
the divine Prince Of Peace" Hark
hear the dreadful sentence, T" Depart We
accursed, for l know you not" Who
should hear the awful words, if not those
who profane the divine altars they profess
to servel Look at the Cross-the en-
blem of peace and hope, pressed evermore
to the lips of ages-see how you have
thrown it down in blood
All! gentlemen, hear you complain
that infdelity is spreading. Can you
wonder? Be enlreated to save your pro-
fession and religion from the fate which
overlook them in France, in the Revolu
ton, and from which they have not re-
covered TO this day. Be reminded that
Christianity is a gospel Of peacc--was
sent not TO show men how to fight, but
how to pray and " Forgive their enemies" !"
If war must come, it is the office of the
ministers of Christ to assuage its horrors,
10 preach humanity, and pray for peace.
II is because / am friend 10 humanity,
to religion and to my country, that l have
ventured to call your attention to this
subject. Perhaps you will not heed
But the words have written will not be
lost-they will be remembered by thou
sands who hear you preach, and will ena-
bic them to sit in righteous judgment up
on Won when YOU wander out of the pos-
pei paths of peace into the bye and for
hidden ways Of violence and wrong.
Your obedient servant, ..,-l.
G. CHAUNCEY BURR.