many other texts and passages of scripture to shew that war is inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the gospel.

It may perhaps be objected to the first text, "Thou shalt not kill," that it only means to forbid murder. Granted-but what is murder, if wantonly and knowingly taking the life of an innocent person, is not? Now war takes the lives of not only innocent men, but frequently of women and children also. The innocent merchant is attacked and plundered on the highway of nations, and if he resists or attempts to escape, is killed. Whatever may be said in defence of capital punishments, and wars, which are strictly defensive, it cannot be doubted that all other wilful homicide is directly contrary to the law of God, and whoever enlists in war, and thus obliges himself to obey the command of his superiors, to attack cities and plunder the innocent, and to kill them if they attempt flight or resistance, voluntarily places himself in a condition to commit murder, and "no murderer hath eternal life." How awfully inconsiderate then, are those who send their children to a military school, or take up themselves a profession as a trade to get a living, which sub

jects them to commit the crime of murder, and to endure its tremendous punishment!

The second text, which commands us to turn the other cheek to the smiter, is perhaps of all the precepts of the Bible, the most humbling to the pride of the human heart. It is nevertheless the command of our blessed Savior, and cannot be rejected unless we reject his authority. I am willing to concede, however, that the text is somewhat figurative, and that as a blow on the cheek was given more for insult than injury, (as in John xviii. 2d. and in Acts xxiii. 2d.) the injunction is that we should patiently endure insults. What is so likely to make the aggressor ashamed of his conduct, as thus calmly to turn the other cheek? I believe the greatest miscreant would be ashamed to repeat the blow. Even heathen philosophers have shewn, both by precept and example, that it is more glorious to pass by an insult, than to revenge it. I remember many anecdotes of heathens and men of the world to this purpose, and perhaps hereafter I may relate some of them. If then the revenging of an insult be unlawful to a Christian, how much more so is the severe retaliation of taking life, which even

goes beyond the saying of " those of old time, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," which our blessed Lord forbids his disciples to imitate. But if it is criminal in an individual, how much more in a nation, to make war on account of an insult, however premeditated and offensive, by which many persons innocent and ignorant of the offence, must suffer death in its most horrid forms.

If

It may be said that these texts inculcate passive obedience and non-resistance. they do, then passive obedience and non-resistance are the doctrines of the Bible. But they do not imply non-resistance in every sense. IfI can, by physical force, disarm my enemy, and prevent him from injuring me or any other person, it is my duty to do it, but without any feelings of revenge or retaliation. But if I can disarm him by moral force, by turning the other cheek; by returning good for evil; or by convincing him of his error, I gain two victories; one over him, and the other over myself, often the most difficult. "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

NO. 2.

ON BEARING INSULTS WITH PATIENCE.

In a late communication, I intimated that I should, when convenient, relate a few anecdotes of heathens and men of the world, who by passing over insults and returning good for evil, have put nominal christians to the blush, by coming nearer to the commands of their divine Master, than they. The following are principally from memory.

When Xerxes invaded Greece, there was, in the Greek councils, a difference of opinion, concerning the best place for engaging the enemy. Themistocles urging his opinion with some warmth, Eurybiades lifted up his cane over him, in a menacing manner. Strike," says the Athenian general, "but hear me." The Lacedemonian, admiring his command of temper, bade him speak what he had to say.

66

says

Plutarch of Pericles, 66 Such was his self-command, that when a vile and abandoned fellow loaded him a whole day with reproaches and abuse, he bore it with patience and silence, and continued in public,

for the despatch of some urgent affairs. In the evening he walked gravely home, the blackguard following and insulting him, with the most scurrilous language, the whole way. And, as it was dark, when he came to his own door, he ordered one of his servants to take a torch and light the man home."

How do the manners of these unenlightened heathen put to the blush the conduct of our great men, who for a wry word challenge, fight and kill each other, regardless alike of their country's laws and welfare, and the commands of God. Yet such men are exalted to the highest stations, and thus the nation becomes a participator in their crimes, forgetting that "he who ruleth his own spirit is better than he who taketh a city."

Two young gentlemen, I believe officers, were playing at backgammon, in a public coffee room, in Paris, when one thoughtlessly replied, to the observation of the other, "O what a story!" The other, immediately snatching up the tables, gave his friend a blow on the head, and, as if stupified and astonished at his rashness, sat down, regardless of the consequence. The injured man arose and addressed the company in these 2*