THIS is a subject about which I have thought much of late. Almost from my youth up, I have believed that all kinds of war were contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. But after much prayer and serious investigation I now believe that I occupied an extreme position. I am forced to the conclusion that the doctrine of universal non-resistance is an untenable extreme. I have grieved and mourned to think that I could not lead out with the brethren who have written on this subject. But I now rejoice that my mind is clear, and that I am well satisfied that the Lord has not led his people thus far to forsake them, and let them go astray at this time. I believe that he yet directs the ship. I have opposed Bro. White's position on "The Nation" to some extent. However I did so in all sincerity, believing him to be wrong. I now am sorry that I have been so hasty and inconsiderate, and ask forgiveness, and herein disclaim all that I have said against his views, and declare myself in full confidence and sympathy with him in his present move. I now act freely, because I believe we are moving in the light. The following reasons I rely upon as justifying me in changing my views, and leading me to stand where I now do:
1. The New Testament recognizes civil government as an ordinance of God. "There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Rom. xiii, 1.
2. The object of civil government is to protect the good, and punish the evil. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. For he is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Verses 3, 4.
3. We are commanded to obey civil government. "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers." "Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake." Rom. xiii, 1, 5. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto governors that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well." 1 Pet. ii, 13, 14. This submission, of course, only refers to things which are according to God's will.
4. We are commanded to support civil government. "For for this cause pay ye tribute also." "Render therefore to all their dues." Verses 6, 7. Now we conclude that as civil government is God's ordinance, it is just and right that it should exist, and that it is just and right that it should be supported by our money, and when absolutely necessary, by our swords and muskets. To say that all war is wrong, is to say that civil government is wrong, and so contradict the apostles. So far as a spirit of war is concerned, it is equally displayed in the civil magistracy with its means of punishing criminals, or invaders of private or social rights, as in what is called war in defense of national rights. If then it would not be wrong to aid magistrates in arresting and punishing the violator of personal rights, which is war on the transgressor, so neither can it be wrong to aid the highest magistrates of our nation in executing the laws of the nation, though it should be done by the sword.
5. In the proclamation of the gospel we are not to use carnal weapons, but not so in defending ourselves from the assaults of rebels. See Acts xxiii. More than forty Jews had sworn to kill Paul. Information of the fact came to him by his sister's son. He then immediately petitioned the protection of the military powers, and leaned upon the sword for safety. His petition was granted. So the captain sent two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, in all four hundred and seventy men, to protect and conduct him safely to Felix. If Paul did right, then it is not wrong to receive military protection, and hence it cannot be wrong to sustain the government in its military duty. Query: If the soldiers who thus protected him had killed those wicked Jews, would they not have done right? They would, if such had been absolutely necessary; and he would have sanctioned the same by requesting their protection.
6. To kill in war, when defending our government and our rights, is no violation of the sixth commandment. We appeal to the example of Abraham. It is said that he obeyed the laws and commandments of God, Gen. xxvi, 5, yet he was a warrior. "And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants by night, and smote them; and the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter." Gen. xiv, 12-17. For this Melchisedec gave him bread and wine, and blessed him as the servant of the Most High God. Abraham fought for his confederates who gave him protection. Verse 13. In so doing he did God's will, which proves that killing in a defensive war is no violation of God's law, else Abraham was a murderer.
7. We are commanded to fight for our families and property. "Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses." Neh. iv, 13, 14. This testimony proves that fighting in self defense was authorized by God. And where, I ask, has he ever said to the reverse? Nowhere. God has never said that we should stand still and be murdered, or see our families slaughtered by the cruel hands of unholy and ungodly rebels. As the present war of our nation is for self defense, there certainly can be no wrong in aiding to crush the rebels who are trying to overthrow it.
8. Cornelius was a soldier, and a devout and praying man. When he was converted, we see not that he resigned his commission as centurion. We read also that he had a devout soldier with him in his family.
Church history speaks of many Christian soldiers. In A. D. 117, among the Christian martyrs was a distinguished military commander who was ordered to offer sacrifice in honor of victories gained by himself, but refusing to comply, was martyred with his whole family. Fox' Book of Martyrs, p. 22. In A. D. 161, Marcus Aurelius began his reign. He marched with a large army against the Northern nations who had rebelled against Rome, and meeting with difficulties, especially the want of water, he ordered his soldiers to call upon their gods for aid, which was done, but to no purpose. He next called upon the division of his army which was composed of Christians, and commanded them to pray to their God, and their prayers were believed by the emperor to have been answered Id. p. 26.
In A. D. 172, the emperor Severus began his reign. Under it, a Christian soldier refusing to wear a laurel crown on a joyous occasion, was harshly treated by the military officers. The rest of the Christians who were fellow-soldiers in the same army, took offense at his over-nice scrupulosity, and gave various reasons disapproving the soldier's course. Dr. Cave's Work, p. 273.
In A. D. 286, before any of the emperors had embraced Christianity, under the reign of Diocletian, who associated Maximian in the government with them, there was a legion of Christians (6666) put to the sword for refusing to take part in the sacrifice ordered, and for refusing to swear to assist Maximian in the extirpation of Christianity from Gaul. Book of Martyrs p. 47.
In A. D. 161, Christians submitted to be drafted. Milman says, "The armies were recruited by unprecedented means, and many Christians who would before have hesitated to enroll themselves, might less reluctantly submit to the conscription [draft], or even think themselves justified in engaging in what appeared necessary and defensive warfare." Hist. Christianity, p. 235.
Luther said, "Whoever is killed fighting for the magistrates, is a true martyr, if he fought with a good conscience." With these truths and facts before us, how can we help saying that Bro. White is yet all right?
Dear brethren, let us be united and not resist our government in its struggles for existence. Our neighbors and friends have nearly all gone; and if God allows the lot to fall upon us, let us go and fight in his name.
A word about petitions. In this move we all acted from faith, feeling it duty to avail ourselves of the benefits of an exemption, if we could get it on the condition of asking. Under my present convictions I regret making any such move; for I see now that it has done no good. Since I wrote to Bro. Waggoner stating that the bill had passed, I have been informed that that was a mistake. The bill has been indefinitely postponed. So we will try to profit in the future by past experience.
Dear brethren, let us rally around the standard, and go on together to mount Zion. Let us be humble and teachable, and truth will be made known to us. Oh, may the Lord be the shield and guide of his people in these times of peril, is my prayer.
B. F. SNOOK.
The Close of Day.
WELCOME! the solemn calm of night,
Day's busy hours are flown!
Freed from the world's delusive light,
I turn to God alone.
'Twas at the cool of closing day,
In Eden's blest abode,
That man could once, without dismay,
Hold converse with his God.
But now that sin and sorrow spread
Their withering blight around,
Can fallen man's polluted tread
Approach such hallowed ground?
Ah! yes, a blood-bought path of peace
Still leads direct to God;
There may the burden'd heart find ease,
Its daily cares unload.
To him who knows and feels my need
I own the sad amount
Of sins in thought, and word, and deed,
That blot this day's account.
Oh, let my conscience sprinkled be
With that all-cleansing blood
That purchased and restores to me
The favor of my God!
The War Question.
By Editor
BRETHREN Bourdeau and Cottrell, in this week's Review, speak with wisdom, we think, on the war question. We fear Brn. Snook and Waggoner are tending to the other extreme. Bro. Clarke's hatred of treason, love of loyalty, and his ardor, lead him to speak in strong terms. May God guide us all. True Seventh-day Adventists would make poor work at using carnal weapons. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”
The object of our article entitled, The Nation, in No. 11, was to briefly state the views our people entertain of slavery, and to check that spirit of fanaticism which would recklessly proclaim abroad that we should resist a military draft. Judging from the multitude of letters received, many of our brethren were greatly excited, and trembled over the prospect of a draft. We then felt clear and firm to leave the matter in the hands of God, without resistance, in case of a draft. We now see no better way. God designs the present state of things to bring us nearer to him. The nation is in his hands; and we cannot see how God can be glorified by his loyal people taking up arms. We must believe that if they were all free from self-deception and rebellion, and were united in drawing nigh to God, he would in some way avert the evil. It may have to be otherwise to humble us and bring us near to God.
The communications from Brn. Carver, James, and Baker will be noticed next week.—Ed.
Walking in God’s Precepts
The way of God's precepts leads to the enjoyment of his promises; he that walks in the one, will come to enjoy the other; ‒Thou meetest him that worketh righteousness.”
APPOINTMENTS.
IN answer to the call for a laborer in Northern Iowa, the Michigan Conference Committee have consulted with Eld. M. E. Cornell, and they, and he, agree that, providence permitting, that shall be his field of labor at present. Therefore he may be expected to be with the brethren at Waukon, Allamakee Co., Iowa, Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 18 and 19, 1862, where arrangements can be made for further labors.
JAMES WHITE, J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, JOHN BYINGTON. Michigan Conference Committe.
IN response to the numerous requests from different parts of Michigan for ministerial labor, to preach and organize churches, the Michigan conference committee all agree that Elders J. N. Loughborough and John Byington should, providence permitting, give themselves to this work at present.
They visited Newton the 11th inst., and organized a church there, which passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That this church desires to be received into the Michigan Conference, and until the next session of the conference we desire to be under the watchcare of the State Conference committee.
Brn. Loughborough and Byington appoint to meet with the brethren as follows:
Convis, October 18th and 19th. Charlotte, " 25th and 26th. Greenville, November 8th and 9th.
Let others who wish the labors of these brethren send in their requests. CON. COM.
PROVIDENCE permitting I will meet with the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., October 25 and 26, as the brethren may appoint the place. Will Bro. Newcomb meet me at Columbus the 23d. ISAAC SANBORN.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
I Green 1,00,xxii,20. O W Benson 4,00,xix,1. J B Benson 2,00,xxii,14. S N Mead 3,00,xxii,1. J. Metcalf 2,00,xx,1. D M Canright 2,00,xxii,1. A Rupert 3,00,xxii,1. Laura J Waters 5,00,xxv,1. Sally Turner 2,00,xxi,20. Wm Weaver 2,00,xxii,1. P Taber 1,00,xxi,1. Sarah Coy 1,00,xxi,1. W P Rathbun 2,00,xxii,1. M A Clark 2,00,xxi,17. Betsey E Place for Mrs J Place 1,00,xxii,20. E A Poole 2,00,xxii,13. P Chaffee 2,00,xxii,1. Hiram Patch 2,00,xx,1. T R Horner 2,00,xix,1. Mrs M L Scott 1,00,xxii,1. J F Hammond 1,00,xxi,1. Elisabeth Parks 2,00,xxii,1. Geo McDowell 2,20,xxi,6. B Chapen 1,00,xx,1. A Nelson 1,00,xxi,14. Ira Smith 2,00,xxii,21. W T Hinton 2,00,xxii,1. R H Johnson 2,00,xxi,18. H W Decker 1,00,xxi,13. S Downs 1,00,xxi,20. John Newton 2,00,xxiii,6. John Logan 2,00,xxiii,13. E Church 3,00,xx,1. D Blanchard 2,00,xxii,1. W B Davis 3,00,xxi,1. Wm E Newcomb 2,00,xxii,1. A A Catlin 1,00,xx,21. J McDaniels 2,00,xxi,14. P D Hough 2,00,xxiii,1. Jas Loudon 2,00,xxii,1. H Sage 1,00,xxi,20. A Mountford 1,00,xxi,13. J B Taber 2,00,xxii,1. J Richards 1,00,xx,18. G E Gregory 1,00,xxi,1. T Hinton 1,00,xxii,20. L D Newton 3,00,xxi,21. M C Holliday for H Robinson 1,00,xxi,1. M C Holliday 1,00,xxi,10. E Lanphear 2,00,xxi,1. J Alexander 1,00,xx,1. S Newton 2,00,xxiii,21. M E Soule 1,00,xxii,10. C Amy 2,00,xxi,14. A Barnes 1,00,xxi,13. J Thomas 1,00,xxii,1. Eliza J Timothy 2,00,xxii,12. M M Osgood for H Carpenter 1,00,xxi,1. J B Sweet 2,00,xxii,1. J T Orton 2,00,xx,3. H F Baker 1,00,xxi,14. L E Millne 2,00,xxii,1. Phebe Cash 2,00,xxi,8. Geo. Adair 1,00,xxi,14. L Maxson 2,00,xxii,18. C Woodman 2,00,xxii,1. I M Davis 1,00,xxii,1. Mary Adderton 1,00,xxi,1. R G Curtis 1,00,xx,1. S Howland 1,00,xxiii,1. J P Lansing 1,00,xxi,11. E C Styles 2,00,xxi,1. S S Jones 1,00,xxi,20. J L Powell 1,00,xxii,20. S J Starbuck 1,00,xxii,20. T Brockway 3,00,xx,1. C N Russell for A Russell 0,50,xxi,1. for Huldah Freeman 0,50,xxi,20. C N Russell 2,00,xxii,10. A White 2,00,xxii,14. J Russ 3,50,xxi,20. Mrs M Snow 2,00,xxii,1. Wm Langdon 2,00,xxii,19. Dr H S Lay 3,00,xxii,1. C C Spear 2,00,xxi,1. J Banks 2,00,xxi,9. S Rumery 2,00,xxii,1. S Rumery for J Rumery 1,00,xxii,1. J L Edgar 3,00,xxi,1. J Wilson 1,00,xxii,1. F Kittle 2,00,xxiii,1. E H Root 2,00,xxiii,3. H S Gurney 1,00,xxii,1. P Markillie 1,00,xxi,1. L Hadden 2,00,xx, 22. S Traverse 2,00,xx,1. Geo Leighton 2,00,xxi,1. J P Barclay 1,00,xxii,1. H L Richmond 2,00,xxi,21. C Russell 1,00,xxi,19. D Carpenier 1,00,xxii,1. S Rogers 2,00,xxii,20. B Stevenson 1,00,xxii,23. A Howard 3,00,xxi,1. I A Olmstead 2,00,xxiii,1. G W Burnham 4,00,xxiii,1. J B Tinker 0,50,xxi,1. H S Guilford 1,00,xxi,1. E S Griggs 2,00,xxii,5. T Wilson 1,00,xxii,1. W W Crandall 0,38,xxi,13. L Schellhous 1,00,xxiii,1. Esther Trumbull 1,00,xxii,1. L Schellhous for W H Castle, P W Legg, L W Schellhous L Keyes, each 0,50,xxi,20. P L Cornell 1,00,xxi,13. J M Foster 2,00,xxii,1. W J Hardy 1,00,xix,13. Eld B Chase 0,50,xxi,20. A Palmer 1,00,xxi,1. J Pierce jr. 4,00,xxi,14. J H Ginley for Geo. Beamer 0,50,xxi,20. W Hastings 1,00,xxi,14. S Howard sen. 2,00,xxi,1. A Shepard 1,00,xxi,1. Geo T Lay for Mrs. S Gardner and Abner Lay, each 1,00,xxiii,1. Geo T Lay 2,00,xxiv,1. Mary Curtis 6,60,xxii,1. J G Herrick 2,00,xxii,1. G M Foster 2,00,xx,1. John Rayle 2,00,xxi,14. Geo Prentice 1,00,xxi,1. Maria Carter 1,00,xxii,1. L H Russell 2,00,xxii,1. M Edson 1,00,xxi,1. M M Lunger 1,00,xxi,11. W A Raymond 1,00,xxii,1. Lucinda Lunger 1,00,xxi,1. C A Ingalls 2,00,xxii,1. A Belden 4,00,xx,14. T B Dewing 1,00,xxii,10. Julia C Dewing for Mrs. S W Austin 0,50,xxi,10. O Chipman 2,00,xxii,19. I Smith 1,00,xxii,1. M J Chapman 1,00,xxii,1. L Stiles 2,00,xxi,1. E Calkins 2,00,xxii,8. E Johnson 2,00,xxii,8. A Horr 2,00,xx,14. J M Ballou 1,00,xx,1. A Thomas 2,00,xxi,10. M Willey 2,06,xxii,3. Mrs J D Stocking 2,00,xxii,20. W S Higley jr for I Bullock 0,50,xxi,1. W S Higley jr, 0,50,xxiii,21. H Keefer 1,00,xxi,20. Sarah Becket 1,00,xxi,1. I C Vaughan 2,00,xxii,14. J Saunders 8,00,xxiv,19. W Carpenter jr, for Eliza Smith 2,00,xxiii,1. W. Carpenter jr, 1,00,xxiii,1. J L Locke 1,00,xxii,1. C C Bodley 2,00,xxii,8. J W Learned 1,00,xxii,1. M J Chapman for Eliza Root 0,50,xxii,1. John Lindsay 1,00,xxi,1. H Luce 1,00,xxii,1.
Receipts.
By Editor
SOME of our agents think it necessary to give the receipts in the Review, that both agent and subscriber may know that credit is given. And as a large share of this week's receipts were sent in by agents, or brought in by those coming to Conference, we give them entire. The whole amount is $1262,44, besides $75 for Michigan Tent.
Eastern Tour.
By Editor
It is too late in the season to make an extensive tour East this Autumn. If Conferences could be arranged so that we could attend several on an eastern tour in June and July, and several in the West, following the Michigan State Conference, we might attend them, if desired so to do, with a saving of time, expense, and wearisome travel. Between this and June there will be sufficient time to make arrangements. We may make a tour of a few weeks to New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, but it is doubtful.
Correction.
By Editor
We were misinformed in relation to organization being voted down at the Roosevelt Conference, June, 1860. We are now informed that no vote was taken on the subject. Therefore our statement in No. 18 as to that Conference is incorrect.
To the Brn. in Central N. Y.
By L. R. Chapel
I WISH to say through the Review to the friends in Central N. Y. who have pledges unpaid for the tent fund, that it is desirable that all such pledges be paid on or before the State Conference. You can hand the same to Bro. J. N. Andrews, who acts as treasurer of the tent fund. If any wish to send by mail, they can direct to J. N. Andrews, East Palermo, Oswego Co., N. Y.
L. R. CHAPEL.
Matters in New York.
By D. Arnold
Our meeting at Roosevelt with Bro. Andrews closed last evening with good results. A spirit of confession and self-crimination prevailed, which was ominous of better times in Roosevelt. May the Lord speed the good work.
The work of State organization, so long delayed, I think will be taken hold of with a good degree of zeal. Our business proceedings on another page will show that the foundation of that work is laid. I would say in behalf, and by the direction of the church, do not fail to be with us if you and sister White can see it duty.
I am specially instructed to request that you will publish the proceedings, and appoint the time as will best suit your convenience, and in time for all concerned to get the notice. If circumstances forbid your meeting with us, please appoint Oct. 25, 26, and longer if necessary.
Those coming on the cars to this meeting will stop at Syracuse, and take the omnibus at the Sherman House, at the east end of the depot, for Central Square, five miles east of Roosevelt, where teams will be waiting to convey them to the meeting Friday evening. The omnibus leaves Syracuse from three to four o'clock P. M.
In behalf of the church. D. ARNOLD.
New York State Conference.
THIS general meeting of the brethren in the State of New York, will be held at Roosevelt, Os. Co., N. Y., Oct. 25th and 26th.
J. N. ANDREWS,
HIRAM EDSON,
DAVID ARNOLD.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
By Editor
Business Notes.
A Woodruff: There is nothing due on Mrs H Farr's Review.
Laura A Green: Where is your Review sent?
M M Osgood: Hannah Carpenter's Review is sent at half price. One of the bills you sent is not current.
R F Cottrell: The P O address of D W M is Chesaning, Saginaw Co., Mich.
M Edson: There is $1,35 due on C Wilber's Review at half price.
For Shares in Publishing Association.
Ira Abbey $50. Lucy Jane Edson $10. Eleanor Abbey $10. Rosetta R Abbey $10. Lilly D Abbey $10. Hetty Andre $10. Lucia Morris $10. John Laroch $10. Edward Lobdell $10. M J Bartholf $10. John Newton $10. P Ferrin $10. Drusilla Lamson $10. J T Orton $10. L M Jones $10. Chas Jones $10. J Fargo $20. R C Fargo $10. Hezza Root $10. C N Russell $10. W Hastings $10. Dr H S Lay $10. Lydia A Gordon $10. Lucinda Adams $10. O F Guilford $20. D A Wetmore $10. Sally Kennedy $10. Marietta King $10. J N Loughborough $10. Mrs L M Gates $10. A C Bourdeau $10. Lydia M Locke $10. Betsey M Locke $10. Eliza Carpenter $10. M J Chapman $8.
Donations to Publishing Association.
Ira Abbey $21,07. Ch at Champlain, N Y s b $10. Ch at North Plains, Mich s b $40. Vashti Palfrey $2. Cynthia McCoy $1. Ch at Round Grove, Ills $20. Ch at Crane's Grove, Ills s b $20. Wm W Wilson $1. Seth Newton $8. M Thomas $1. A J Richmond $3. Edna E Richmond $1. Mrs C Beach $1. Ch at Convis, Mich s b $5. Ch at Jay, Me s b $5. Ch at Allegan, Mich s b $20. Ch at Watson, Mich s b $5. Ch at Orleans, Mich s b $25. Ch at Greenville, Mich s b $40. A sister $1. Ch at Greenbush Mich s b $8. Ch at Hanover, Mich s b $10. Ch at St Charles, Mich s b $20. Two pilgrims in Michigan s b $18. Ch at Otsego, Mich s b $10. L Russell s b $6. Ch at Jackson, Mich s b $13. Ch at Monterey, Mich s b $50. J N Loughborough $5. C A Ingalls $1. O Chipman $5. Ch at Ashfield, Mass $5. Ch at Hillsdale, Mich $15. M J Chapman s b $1. Mary Rathbun $3. W. P Rathbun $3,10.
Cash Received on Account.
I Sanborn $26,45. A S Hutchins $30. S H King $4,25. E S Griggs $1,50. A Coventry $43,75. O B Jones $9,12. Miss A C Hudson $15. M E Cornell $10. R J Lawrence $6. I C Vaughan 41c.
Books Sent By Mail.
J Lindsay $1,04. I N Davis $1,10. E S Griggs 75c. W Sadden 18c. Wm Weaver $1. Cynthia McCoy 30c. Wm James 30c. J F Hammond 30c. D M Harper $1. J Strong $1,15. R Smith 30c. J Thomas $1,10. L. Carr 30c. A C Hudson 26c. T Hamilton $1,02. W. A. Raymond $1. Thurston B Dewing 30c. J K Lombard 15c. Emily Jessup 30c. President Hawks 30c. L Norton 30c. J Masterton 30c. Mrs T Neely 30c. Ben Crawford 30c. F Wallen 30c. L Oviatte 30c. Elder Slater 30c. Elder Jones 30c. Dr H S Lay 90c. W P Rathbun $1,65. Jas Jones 30c. N Rathbun 30c. E Duncomb 30c. Mary Hays 30c. A Clark 30c. W Coon $3.
Michigan Tent Fund.
A H Adams $5. Ch at Convis $2. Ch at Otsego $8. L Gerould $1. E Van Deusen $3. Wm Minisy $2. Ch at St Charles $20. L Russell $2. Ch at Milford $2. M W Rathbun $1. E M L Cory $1. E M Davis $3. Ch at Tompkins $1. E E Jones $3. Ch at Orange $3. J P & M Munsell $1. D M Harper $1. Ch. at Bowne $6. J S Van Deusen $5. Ch at Colon s B $4. M M Lunger $1.