Christianity and War / 421

Are these the Christian brethren described in the New Testament? Can it be possible that these are the Christians who are born again, of the Holy Spirit of Love and Peace? Or is it possible that these Christian professors are imitating Christ, by walking in his steps? Or is Christ divided against himself? Can the love of such professors "Be without dissimulation?" Or, are they "kindly affectionate one to another?" Rom. 12:10. Can they love one another with a "pure heart, fervently," as those "being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth, and abideth forever?" 1 Pet. 1:22, 23.

Now for a moment let us behold the scenes of a battle field, where thousands lie rolling in blood-both men and beasts mingled together. Some deadsome just expiring-some have their arms, others have their legs severed from their bodies-limbs are scattered all around, none can tell whose they weresome groaning in painful agony are wishing for death to put an end to their sufferings. Oh, what anguish, sorrow, and distress! Oh, what wailing and crying for relief! Besides cannon roaring, shells bursting, muskets cracking, and the loud shout for the victory. Behold the atmosphere is darkened with dust and smoke! Surely here is confusion and every evil work: nor is this all, for who can describe the sorrow and distress of those at home, on receiving the sad news of the death of a dear husband-of a beloved father-a dear son or a brother. 0, who can hear the cries of the widows and the orphans weeping for their loved ones, and refusing to be comforted because they are not!-But who can describe the dreadful evils-the painful and dreadful scenes and horrors of war? Can such painful and dreadful scenes be the work of Christians, those harmless, new-born lambs of Jesus? Can any of those who take a share in it be the faithful followers of him walking in his steps? Judge ye.

I am aware that under the old Mosaical dispensation, God commanded the Jews to destroy the heathens with the sword because of their wickedness; but Christ the Prince of Peace, whom we are now to hear in all things whatsoever, he bids us,-gave us a new commandment,-that we should love our enemies, and pray for them; which no man in the world can do with a sincere heart, while engaged in seeking to destroy their life-no, never, never.

How dreadful it is to think that men-rational creatures, made after the similitude of God, should ever tear and devour one another with a fierceness exceeding even the wild ferocious beasts of the forest! I think it would not be out of place here to ask the question, once asked by a woman belonging to the society of Friends, who, it is said, arose in meeting and uttered the following impressive sentence: "I wonder what good it does men to kill their enemies? If left alone they would die themselves."

Ah, But says one, if we would let them alone, they would come and take away from us our land and our property which we have labored so hard to gain, but I would answer in the language of the Saviour: "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Lu. 12:15. Again: "what would it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul." Matt. 16:26. It is true that our enemies might take away our property and destroy our souls; therefore we are not to fear them, but to fear "Him, who has power to destroy both body and soul in hell; yea I say unto you, fear Him." Would it not then be the part of wisdom in us, to choose