The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-17
$ PACE.
From work entitled +" Our Ncighbor." !,

the wiscst course, il tho opposing par
ties would hut agree to- aScalmeri
method of settling their differences.
The bravest, especially if they have
had experience in the work of contest
are generally disposed to avoid as
much as possible the resort to strife.
Peace, however, is for its own sake
desirable, as well as for the blessings
following in lis train. Ii is an idea
at once Arising, whenever anything
like a proper view is entertained of
the Injunction, "'rhou shalt love thy
ncighbor as myself" Whatever be
the state of things abroad, each one,
at all right-minded, wishes peace in
his own bosom, peace in his own i'm.
mediate circle, peace in his own nation.
Peace, as AN OBJECT To BE DESIRED
AND TO BE PROMOTED is worthy of
every ones earnest attention. ,tf
L. 1t may well be wished for, if the
condition and the moral Interests Of
the nation are regarded.
War is always more or less terrible.
And it may be safely said, that all
wars are contrary, so far at least cs one
ofthe parties is concerned, to the spirit
of the gospel. a nation may be 90 sit
uated, that il may be necessary for
them to fight, and YET they may be in
nocent. Very often both parties are
to blame but il seems impossible,
that both parties can ever be blame.
less. Both may think themselves
right yet, when the matter is fairly
investigated, i will be seen, that one
or the other or both had violated some
Of the others rights.
Because prophecy declares, there
will be warfare, no more justifics war,
than The history of the fact While
history is prophecy Illustrated, proph-
ccy is history written before the
events occurred. But, the simple an
nouncement beforehand of what will
take place, by him who knoweth the
end from the beginning, is no good
reason for man TO do what the positive
precepts of the Bible forbid. The
Scriptures teach US, 'If it be possible,
live peaceably with all men ? in which
is implied, that in some cases we may.
not be able to live.in peace; and also,
that it il only when we cannot thus
live, that We will be justified i'm taking
the position of hostility. And with
such a passage before the mind, how
criminal appears the conduct of both
parties in ii.any of the contests waged
by nations, which have filed the earth
with bloodshed and mourning.
Nor, because God works good out
of evil, are we authorized to do evil.
Good has resulted in many instances !;
yet, this does not justify those who did
the wrong. AS to where the wrong
lies in certain cases, God is the Judge !;
though certainly man is allowed to
form an opinion whenever he can dis
cover the facts as they really exist.
The apostle has cmphatically rcbuhcd,
and indignantly barred out from the
christians code of conduct, the false
sentiment, "Let us do evil, that good
may come"
War is generally lamentcd 10y the
christian world. Unless il be neces-
sary, il is quite decidedly condemned.
Some, however, seem to he attracted
by the glare of military glory. And
possibly, if this attraction could be re-
moved, and war be seen in its naked,
hideous, life-destroying, heart-rending
aspect, few would be the admirers of a
fame gained at such terrible cost.
Yet, led by the glitter, and overlook
ing the horrid, many are the devOtees
of military reputation. But, when &C.
quircd, what is the fame wen upon the
field of battle? A plume, gained at
the expense of widows, orphans and
dying men; glittc-ing bubble, float
ing upon sea of blood "a sound, laden
with signs, groans, curses and hate.
What would be thought OF war, il
two armies were engaged in actual
conflict as the trumpet of the last day
began its pcals? Squadrons are meet
ing opposing squadrons; the thunder
of artillery is answered by similar
thunder; blade claugs on blade foe
man grappleS with his focman's
strength; the agony, the strife, the
horror of the scene are all at their
highest point. But bark! clear, and
loud. and long. and distinct as if earth
was hushed in slumber, is heard above
the lannon's roar and the battles
shout the note of the trump Of God.
lie, who is raising the torch to apply
it 10 the deadly cannon, hears the aw-
full sound and he, whose sabre is de-
sceuding swift upon his foeman's
head; and he, whose voice is rising
above the tumult, bidding his COM
radcs oh 10 tic charge; as well as
they, who Just fallen are closing their
ewes upon the scenes of earth, and they
who have already entered the spirit
world. Sudden as the Lightning
flash, all is still, save the thrilling
tones, which summon man TO the bar
ofGod. -.-B.ttH Et.
All, who would wish any, in whom
he felt special interest, TO be among
these hostile bands? who would de-
sire to be the bravcst and most sue.
ccssful in those cmbattled hosts? who
would be pleased TO drop his bur-
nished steel, as il had just entered his
opponents heart, and thence forthwith
away to the Judgment bar?
Warfare is indeed terrible. And
looked at only i'm tho>light of the pres.
ent life, peace may be truly and ear
nestly desired by all pcople-peace
that their fields be not laid waste
their homes battered down or con-
sumed, their families lacking bread
their commercial operations thwartcd
their friends torn from them 10y com.
pulsion, themselves exposed to tho
calamities existing when war rage;
within the precincts of nation.
. Peace is 10 be priced in ones inn
mediate ncighborhood.
Contention puts almost all thing:
out of their proper place. 1t is like &
shock given to the ediiice of society
which SETS every door ajar, remove;
every window-framc from its due pro
portions, throws every floor out of 1T;
level. destroys the regularity of every
pannel, and fills every wall viii
assures.
IL is not content with eating its OWL
poisonous food, but is active in dis
tributing TO others portion of wha
makes itself so bitter. It'll loo restlcs:
10 be satisfied, if others arc quiet; toe
unhappy TO be alone in brewing over
lis own irriiated feelings; too greedy
10 remain ut ease, without attempting
TO make others the victims of its vo'
racious appetite. ''As Goals arc te
turning Goals, and wood TO fire, SO i,
n contentious nan 10 kindle STRIFE
And when the nntamcd spirit is un'
bridled, none can tell where ii may
not wander, what breast it will moi
Il. A