Page:Christian Review - War.djvu/11

Rh our enemies, and praying for those who despitefully use us, and persecute us."

No people have engaged in bloody deeds, without transgressing this precept. Christianity is so unlike the religions of the age, that few of its striking features can be infered from the institutions which are said to be modeled after it. We solemnly appeal to those professed christians, who think it is right, and obedience to the cause of God, for them to take the life their fellows, to say if such things are done in love to their enemies? God has promised his protecting power to his saints, and when we take up arms to defend ourselves, we show very clearly that we lack confidence in our Father in heaven.

4. With regard to vengeance, the Apostle says, Rom. 12: 19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto warth [sic, wrath?]; for it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord." From this, it appears that the idea of revenge, is wholly incompatible with the spirit and genius of christianity. The doctrine of Christ is,—"Overcome evil with good." "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head."—Rom. 12: 20. The reader will keep in mind, that these things are to be observed towards enemies.

5. We are commanded:—"To follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which, no man shall see the Lord."—Heb. 12: 14. Eternal life here, is placed upon the condition of following "peace" with the world, and "holiness" towards God.

6. The Spirit of—"Joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, forbearance," &c., which christians are commanded to cultivate, forever precludes the spirit and practice of war. The servant of god, should desire above all things, the conversion of his fellow creatures; and labor to "pluck them as brands from the burning;" but this cannot be done, with swords and staves.

7. Christ's declaration,—"That his kingdom is not of this world, for if it were, his subjects would fight for it," is demonstrable evidence that christian war had no countenance from the Savior. His kingdom was unlike all others: it was spiritual, and to be built and defended by spiritual men and spritual