BY THEIR PRACTICAL OPERATIONS AND OPPOSIT1 " / Vm •\"m is belter thaa weapons of war . — Solomon JXI954 1154 . « jM? - ; ALBANY: by PACKARD AND VAN BENTHUYSEfif. 18 $ 1 . JXI954 . Lib4 f . * A BRIEF ILLUSTRATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR and PEACE, SHOWING THE RUINOUS POLICY OF THE FORMER, AND THE SUPERIOR EFFICACY OF THE LATTER, FOR NATIONAL PROTECTION AND DEFENCE ; CLEARLY MANIFESTED BY THEIR PRACTICAL OPERATIONS AND OPPOSITE EFFECTS UPON NATIONS, KINGDOMS AND PEOPLE. BY PHILANTHROPOS. Will i am ''Ladd Wisdom is better than weapons of war. — Solomon. ALBANY: PRINTED BY PACKARD AND TAN BENTHCYSEN. 1831. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/briefillustratioOOIadd PREFACE. Shortly after the conclusion of the late war in America, and the general peace of Europe, which succeeded it, the minds of many, in both countries, were led to reflect on the subject of war principles, and to examine and compare their nature and effects with those of the principles of peace. The result has been an increasing conviction of the unchristian character, and ruinous policy of war, in all its attendant con- sequences ; and of the beneficial effects of pacific principles, with a firm persuasion of their natural tendency, and supe- rior efficacy, in securing the defence and protection of na- tions, and promoting the best interests of mankind. Such convictions have led to the publication of many valuable essays on these subjects, and to the formation of many peace societies on both sides of the Atlantic, particu- larly in England and the United States. The avowed ob- ject of these societies is, to turn the attention of mankind to a serious consideration of these things. Among the variety of publications issued from the press, under the authority of these societies, may be noticed some valuable periodicals. The Friend of Peace, a very useful work published in Boston, under the auspices of “ The Massachusetts Peace Society,” has had an extensive circu- lation for about thirteen years, and has produced much con- viction respecting the pernicious effects and unchristian character of war, especially in the New-England States. This has been succeeded by the Harbinger of Peace , pub- lished in New-York, under the direction of “ The American Peace Society,” which tho small, is ably conducted, and bids fair to effect much good. The Herald of Peace , pub- lished in London, by “ The society for promoting perma- nent and universal peace,” is a valuable and interesting work, upon a larger scale, and we are informed that it has a very extensive circulation, and has produced the most beneficial effects, especially in the British dominions. These, with many other valuable productions on the un- christian character, and destructive nature and effects of war, and the salutary and beneficent effects of peace, have spread much light on these subjects, and effected a great change in public opinion, and appear to have made no small impression on the minds of many statesmen and ru- lers. IV But among all these essays, we have never seen any work in which is embodied a connected series of the effects of war, from the earliest ages to the present time ; together with proofs of the practical results of pacific principles, drawn from historical facts. By the former, a fair view might be taken of the baleful influences and destructive consequences of war, in all ages, clearly proving from undeniable authority, that, in the issue, it has generally failed of its professed ob- ject ; and by the latter, it might be seen that the principles of peace have always been productive of the best good to man ; and have ever been far more efficacious than war, in securing the defence of nations and people, and obtaining the blessing and protection of Divine Providence. We do not flatter ourselves that this small essay is fully entitled to the claim of such a work, as above described : but merely a humble effort towards it. Such as it is, we present it to the public, with a hope that it may be produc- tive of some good to our fellow men, in turning their atten- tion to the consideration of the important cause of “Peace on earth, and good will towards men;” confidently believ- ing that a general diffusion of the knowledge and benign in- fluence of these principles, will be productive of greater hap- piness and prosperity to the human family, than all other ef- forts of philanthropy that have ever been made by man. We have taken considerable pains to ascertain the general correctness of the historical events which we have produc- ed. The well known discrepancies between the accounts of different historians, render it difficult to ascertain, with pre- cision, the accuracy of some particular incidents which are mentioned ; but the general substance so far as relates to the great object in view, we think cannot be disputed, being too well authenticated by .the concurring testimony of general history. The field of labor is boundless ; and the powerful predi- lection which prevails in favor of the war system, and its almost universal popularity, seem loudly to demand the com- bined and ceaseless efforts of every friend of man, to counter- act its baneful influence, by disseminating the principles, and advancing the work of peace. And tho we feel im- pressed with a desire to contribute our mite in support of the glorious cause ; yet we confidently hope, ere long, to wit- ness the united efforts of more able philanthropists, who are better qualified to do justice to this important subject. BRIEF ILLUSTRATION, &c. INTRODUCTION. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known. Rom. hi. 15 . Ever since the first murderer imbrued his hands in the blood of his brother, the principles and practice of war, in their increasing prevalence through the world, have had a most powerful and delusive influence upon the human race. A passion for military fame, like an inveterate disease, has long pervaded the nations of the earth, and inflamed man- kind with an ardent zeal for warlike achievements. Scarce- ly a country can be found which has not been more or less infected with the war mania , and whose inhabitants have not, at some period or other, experienced its destructive and horrid effects. And yet it appears, that even the most en- lightened and influential part of mankind, have been so deeply blinded to their own happiness, and the happiness and preservation of their respective countries, that they have never discovered the real nature and tendency of that spirit by which wars are produced ; and therefore the real source from whence they originate, has been but little con- sidered, and still less understood. Kings, princes and rulers — those who hold the reins of government, and preside over the destinies of nations, all seem to have been astonishingly blind and ignorant with regard to the necessity or policy of war. Hence it is, that the spirit and principles of war are still so much encoura- f ed and promoted in the world ; and hence so few attempts ave been made to banish the fatal illusion — to put an end to the destructive ravages of war, and promote and main- tain the principles of peace and harmony. The advocates of war strenuously urge that its principles are inherent in the nature and constitution of man, and ab- solutely necessary for his preservation and defence ; that wars always have existed, and therefore always must exist ; that they are as unavoidable as raging storms and sweeping tornadoes ; and that any attempts to abolish the practice of war, would be as unavailing as an attempt to oppose the shocks of an earthquake, or prevent the eruptions of a vol- cano. Hence they consider war as an unavoidable and ne- A2 6 eessary evil , which must have its course. Therefore, in- stead of trying to subdue the evil by diffusing and main- taining the principles of righteousness, justice and peace, they must encourage and maintain the destructive and con- taminating principles of war. To effect this object, its popularity must be promoted and encouraged by the go- vernment ; the art of war must be made a necessary branch of science, and the youth of nations professing the harm- less religion of the Prince of Peace, must be instructed in it, in order to enable them to practice this necessary evil against their fellow men, with the greatest advantage, un- der the vain pretence of defending their country and protect- ing; its rights. O O t This erroneous policy, the effect of popular delusion, has long been considered as the best policy of nations, and the most essential part of a national education. Not only the maxims of government, but even the sacred principles of religion, have been made to bend to this fatal policy. And so long as this policy prevails, and is encouraged and sup- ported by the rulers and leading characters of nations, its popularity will be maintained, and wars will continue. — Could nations be brought to see the delusive nature and ten- dency of war, and be convinced of its mistaken policy, as well as of its horrid injustice and inhumanity, even in a po- litical point of view, would they be willing any longer to hazard their national happiness and prosperity to the delu- sive and uncertain game of war, at such incalculable ex- pense ? And could they believe (what calm and unbiassed reason must acknowledge) that the best policy of a nation is to cultivate, maintain and diffuse the principles of peace and good will towards all men, would they not readily ex- ert all their energies, and improve every means to effect an object so desirable, so truly wise and beneficent ? Can we reasonably suppose that honest, benevolent and humane rulers of any nation, after a candid and impartial investigation of the history, nature, character and conse- quences of war, in all ages, would not be convinced that wars and war-like principles and preparations, so far from ensuring protection and defence, or even producing any sub- stantial benefit to a warring nation, have, in the final issue, invariably operated to the contrary, and proved the cause of destruction and ruin, especially to those nations who have carried the profession of arms and war to any great extent ? And would it be possible, after such investigation, for any but demoniacs or madmen, to wish to maintain such horrid and destructive principles and practices ? But the generality of mankind, blinded by popular opin- ion and long established custom, are led to suppose that wars are necessary and unavoidable, without bestowing a single reflection upon their erroneous policy, and their inhu- man and unchristian character. But let a general and im- partial examination of the subject take place ; let its real nature, character and tendency be fully displayed in their true colors ; and let the erroneous and blind p flicy be clearly seen ; and its popularity would soon be lost, and all its daz- zling splendors would be viewed in their naked and odious deformity, by every truly benevolent and rational mind. It must be admitted that wars have existed ever since pride, lust and ambition have been the ruling passions in man ; nor can it be disputed that all wars proceed from the indulgence of these passions.* But shall we infer from thence that wars are necessary, and must always exist ? — We might with equal propriety suppose that the passions of pride, lust and ambition, were originally created of God, and by him designed forever to be the ruling principles of the world : for nothing short of this supposition, can afford any argument to prove, that because wars have always ex- isted, they must always be continued. And if these pas- sions were created of God, for this express purpose, why have they, in all ages, been so pointedly reproved by the revelation of God, and the testimony of divine truth. * See James iv. 1, 2 and 3. PART I MILITARY PRINCIPLES AND OPERATIONS OF ANCIENT NATIONS THE CAUSE OF THEIR RUIN. WARS BEFORE THE FLOOD. Before the flood of Noah, “ God saw that the wicked- ness of man was great in the earth, and that the earth was filled \'nth violence through them.' n This was the great cause of the flood. Commencing with unbridled lust, giants in wickedness, if not in stature, were produced, who through pride and ambition, soon filled the earth with vio- lence : for these “ became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” Proud of their power and strength, and glorying in their skill and dexterity in handling the weapons of destruction, and ambitious to become men of renown, they exerted their power and talents over their fellow men, and became famous and mighty in human butchery. And even to this day, all those mighty men of renown, who glory in military fame, have, in like manner, continued to fill the earth with violence. These antediluvian warriors, to accomplish their ambi- tious views, and become men of renown, evidently gave full scope to their unbridled passions : “for all flesh,” ac- cording to- the sacred record, “had corrupted his way upon the earth — and the earth was filled with violence through them.” It is unreasonable to suppose the earth could be filled with violence without war and contention, in some shape or other ; and it is evident that these things were the cause of the flood. It must certainly argue the height of blindness and folly, in any rational man, to believe that a just and righteous Being would create those passions in man, which have a natural tendency to produce war and violence, for the express purpose of filling the earth with these evils ; and then to destroy the human race because, in obedience to these passions, they had done what the Creator really intended they should do. Such injustice never came from Heaven. The account we have of the wars before the flood, tho’ very short, is certainly very comprehensive and instructive. The first, and the very beginning of wars, was that bloody and successful war which the valiant Cain waged upon his brother Abel, to revenge the great affront hte had received, in consequence of God’s having respect to Abel’s offering 9 and not to his own. So the offence, whether real or sup- posed, was revenged upon poor Abel, tho he was by no * means guilty of any injury towards his vindictive brother ; because the respect shown to Abel’s offering, and withheld from Cain’s, was from God, and not from Abel. There are probably very few to be found, at the present day, even among the advocates of war, who would attempt to vindi- cate the spirit and temper of Cain, or to justify his conduct ; yet the war he waged against his brother, was doubtless as reasonable, and as necessary, as most of the wars that have been waged by human authority since that period. After this victory over his brother, we understand that this victorious warrior became a mighty man of renown, and built a city. This was doubtless the first city, and pro- bably the first separate state or empire that was ever found- ed upon earth. Josephus says, u Cain augmented his household substance with much wealth, by rapine and vio- lence ; he excited his acquaintance to procure pleasures and spoils by robbery, and became a great leader of men in wick- ed courses.” [See Jos. Ant. b. i. ch. 2.] We also learn, that the example of this murderer, this mighty man of renown, became very contagious, and was soon followed by his posterity, who, it appears, were as am- bitious to become men of renoAvn, as he had been. It also appears that Lamech, one of Cain’s offspring, following his example, made war upon some of his fellow men, and slew one, if no more of them. Tubal-Cain, the son of Lamech, was an artificer in brass and iron, and is said to have been the first in venter of the sword . J osephus says , “ he exceeded all men in strength, and was very expert and famous in martial performances.” — “Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively dying, one after another, more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies ; and if any one were slow to murder people, yet was he bold in his profligate beha- viour, in acting unjustly, and doing injuries for gain.” [Jos. Ant. b. i. ch. 2.] It appears evident that the inhabitants of the world were soon divided into separate clans or tribes, which being led on by some of these mighty men of renown, waged war upon each other. And no doubt they thought them- selves fully able to justify the violent part they took in these wars, contentions and murders, upon the plea of ne- cessity, to defend themselves and their property ; or to re- 10 venge or prevent some real or supposed injury ; or to ob- tain glory and renown ; just as modern wars are now justi- fied and rendered popular. Without some such plea of jus- tification, the horrid principles and destructive terrors of war, could never have become so popular as to fill the earth with violence, especially at such an early period. But with all their wars and violence against each other, were any of them able to save themselves from destruc- tion ? Did they not, by these means, bring destruction up- on themselves and each other ? Were not their wars and violence the very cause of their destruction ? Yea, verily : for in consequence of having corrupted the earth, and filled it with violence , they were suddenly arrested in their career, when all the glory of these “ mighty men of renown” was swept away with the flood. What then availed their mighty deeds of corruption and violence, but to show that “mighty men shall be mightily punished ?” In the destruction of the old world by a flood of waters, and the cause of that destruction, (as given in the sixth chapter of Genesis,) we have a concise account of the ori- gin of war and its effects. It is there said, “ God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. — And God looked upon the earth, and behold it was corrupt ; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me ; for the earth is filled with violence through them ; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Hence it is clearly evident that corruption and violence, which have their consummation in war, were the great cau- ses which brought destruction upon the old world. This corruption and violence originated in lust and pride, which produced an ambitious desire to gain distinction among their fellow men. And by indulging these corrupt passions and propensities, they continually grew more corrupt, and in- creased in acts of violence to such a degree, that Divine Jus- tice could no longer endure their corruption and violence ; and hence they were swept from the face of the earth. Had we the names of those antediluvian heroes, who were the most highly distinguished among those “ mighty men of renown,” who filled the earth with corruption and violence, together with a particular account of their heroic deeds, we should doubtless find them worthy to be classed with Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, and all those mighty madmen, whose deeds of murderous chivalry have been a greater curse to the human race, than all the earthquakes 11 and volcanic eruptions that ever took place since the crea- tion of the world. The heroic exploits of these antedilu- vian warriors, had they been left on record, would, in all probability, be as well worth publishing, as examples of military prowess, for the instruction of the youthful mind, in the arts of corruption and violence, as the bloody deeds of any modern heroes who have followed their examples, and walked in the same bloody footsteps. And why should they not ? They were led by the same spirit, and actuated by the same passions, and their deeds of corruption and vio- lence were doubtless of a similar kind. And as to the ne>- cessity or justice of those ancient wars, there can be no doubt that the warriors of those days were as firmly per- suaded on 1 that point, as our modern warriors possibly can be, with regard to the necessity or justice of any of the wars of the present day ; otherwise their wars could not have been rendered so popular as to fill the world with violence, at so early a period. The truth is, the war-makers of eve- ry age think, or pretend to think, their own wars just and necessary, while they invariably condemn the wars of their enemies. But a just and impartial view of all wars will show that they proceed from the same malignant passions, and are na- turally attended with the same destructive consequences, according to their magnitude ; and that their ultimate effect has been to corrupt the morals of the people, and bring the judgments of God upon the nation, in some way or other, till in the end they have been swallowed up in ruin. A serious investigation of these things will clearly show, that many of those terrible convulsions of nature, which are attended with such destructive and melancholy effects, are, in reality, the just judgments of God upon man, for his corruption and violence ; like the flood of Noah, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Hence it must ap- pear reasonable to believe that, if these corrupt passions were once effectually subdued, all wars would cease, and we should no longer have cause to apprehend any danger from those convulsions of nature, which have so often terri- fied and swept away the inhabitants of the land. But the great objection against cultivating the spirit of peace, is still of the same nature with that advanced by the Jews of old, against permitting Jesus Christ to preach the gospel of peace unmolested. “ If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and nation.” That is to say, if they 12 should suffer the principles of peace to prevail, which the doctrine of the Savior inculcated, and should neglect to fol- low the example of Cain and his fighting posterity, they would soon be overrun by warring nations. This specious and delusive plea is the very prop of war in this day. The prevailing maxim is, “ The surest means of preserving, peace, is to be prepared for war. — That nation which neg- lects to prepare for war, invites aggression, and exposes it- self to the warlike power of other nations.” But an im- partial review of the history of all ages, will prove the total fallacy of these maxims. It is not difficult to prove, if facts can prove any thing, that wars and warlike preparations, instead of protecting or defending a nation, have, in the final event, had a direct tendency to effect its ruin. Every nation, however great or powerful, which has relied on its physical strength and martial policy, and practiced this policy for protection and defence, has been signally marked, in some way or other, with the displeasure of heaven, and eventually fallen a vic- tim to the policy of war. As evidence of this, we need but examine the history of wars in different ages of the world, and observe their effects upon all warring nations. WARS AFTER THE FLOOD. Although the flood of Noah destroyed the ungodly inha- bitants who had corrupted the old world ; yet it did not de- stroy those ungodly passions which were the cause of war and violence. It could hardly have been supposed that, so soon after the fatal calamity which befel the old world for its wickedness, the descendants of Noah would so easily have forgotten that awful warning, and again commenced those scenes of violence which had brought destruction upon their ancestors. But so it proved : for they soon “ began to be more ungodly than at the first.” They soon began to make war and violence an honorable employment. Shortly after the flood, we find that Nimrod, the great- grandson of Noah, “ began to be a mighty one in the earth. — And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel.” Rollin considers him as “ the founder of the first Assyrian Empire ;” and says he certainly was a great conqueror.* It appears that in the beginning of his career of renown, he was dis- tinguished as “ a mighty hunter;” and from his great fame and success in hunting wild beasts, it was natural and easy * Rollin, b. iii. ch. 1. 13 for him to obtain followers, and seek to distinguish himself in hunting the human race, and by that means to become “ a famous conqueror, and a mighty man of renown.” It appears that this “ mighty hunter” was the first who was honored with a statue, and had a temple erected to his memory. Rollin states that Ninus, the son of Nimrod, “ out of veneration for his father, was willing that they who had served him as their king, should adore him as their god, and induce other nations to render him the same wor- ship. For it appears plainly that Nimrod is the famous Belus of. the Babylonians, the first king whom the people deified for his great actions. ” Thus it seems that this Belus, also called Bel, was an image or statue erected in honor of Nimrod, that mighty conqueror, that he might be adored after his death, as a god. This then, was the origin of the practice, still in use, of erecting statues to idolize sinful mor- tals, and perpetuate the deeds of bloody conquerors ; and it appears to have been the very beginning of image worship, and was most probably the origin of idolatry. From the kingdom founded by this great conqueror and “mighty man of renown,” national wars and popular acts of violence doubtless took their rise after the flood. Not many ages after Nimrod had founded his empire, it appears that a number of confederate kings of that country extended the ravages of war into the land of Canaan. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, with three other kings of that coun- try, acting upon the principle of self-defence, opposed this invasion of their country. But not being able to defend themselves, they were conquered and brought into bondage. But their pride and ambition soon led them to rebel against their conquerors, and strive for the mastery. Relying on their own valor as warriors, they doubtless expected to gain the victory ; but they were disappointed . T heir armies were de- feated, and their country ravaged. And it is worthy of re- mark that their wars, which evidently sprung from their pride and ambition, finally produced among them such a corruption of morals and manners, as to bring down the judgment of Heaven upon them, and overwhelm their cities with destruction. The iniquities of the Sodomites are pro- verbial ; but who that is acquainted with the degrading vices common in modern armies, but must admit that they exceed the Sodomites in base crimes ? It appears evident from the account of these postdiluvian wars, that the war principles of Sodom and Gomorrah, so far from defending them from their enemies, or securing B 14 their independence, led them into crimes and abominations which completed their own ruin, and the destruction of their country. THE KINGDOM OF EGYPT. We will now take a view of the kingdom of Egypt. This was one of the most ancient kingdoms of the world. It is supposed to have been founded by Mizraim, the grand- son of Noah. For many ages the Egyptians appear to have had very little concern in wars. During this period they cultivated the arts and sciences, brought agriculture to great perfection, and made many great and useful improvements throughout their country. And it is worthy of remark that, while they cultivated the arts of peace, and did not use their resources for the purpose of war and violence, they were greatly blessed by Divine Providence. Their country was rich and prosperous, their soil was remarkably productive, and from its extraordinary fertility, Egypt was considered, at that early period, as the granary of the world. Egypt was not then a warlike nation. We are informed by Rollin that, “ Its inhabitants, content with a country which abound- ed in all things, had no ambitious dreams of conquest. The Egyptians extended their reputation in a very different man- ner. They triumphed by the wisdom of their counsels, and the superiority of their knowledge ; and this empire of the mind appeared more noble and glorious to them, than that which is achieved by arms and conquest.” Had these peaceable and virtuous principles continued to govern the Egyptians, in all succeeding ages, they might have continued to this day, equally distinguished and happy. And had all nations been governed by these principles, wars never would have existed. And we will further add, as our unshaken belief, that were a few respectable nations to set the example of peace before the world, there would soon be an end of all wars. But the Egyptians having become rich and powerful, through a long period of peace and prosperity, were at length exalted by pride and ambition, and began to corrupt them- selves with the cruel and ferocious principles of war, to cultivate the military arts, and to practice war as the noble and honorable employment of a great and powerful nation. Sesostris, (supposed by some to be the father* * of that king *Rollin supposes Sesostris to be the son of that Pharaoh ; but this seems hardly probable, for it is ascertained that the power of Egypt, for a length of time, declined • hi« death. 15 Pharaoh who was drowned in the Red Sea) was in his youth, by order of his father, instructed in the arts of war, together with a great number of Egyptian youths of his own age, who afterwards became his military officers. This is the first account we have on record, of a military school in any nation. And what were its effects ? They were evi- dently sufficient to plant the seeds of military ambition in the mind of Sesostris, and lead him, and consequently the nation , into the principles and practice of war. And the like effects may naturally be expected wherever military schools exist. Leaving the improvements of his own rich country, and its immense privileges, in which he might have enjoyed every advantage that nature could require, Sesostris, without the least appearance of provocation, was determined to prove his military skill, and try the fortune of war. After invading and conquering several of the neighboring nations, his ambition, inflated by success, led him to form a design of making a conquest of the world. With this view he went on to make the requisite preparations. “ His army,” says Rollin, ‘‘consisted of six hundred thou- sand foot, and twenty-four thousand horse, besides twenty- seven thousand armed chariots.” With this immense army, he rushed like a fury, through almost all parts of the then inhabited world, conquering and despoiling all the nations in his way, till at length his career was stopped by famine. After nine years of ravage, plunder and destruction, he re- turned to Egypt, laden with the spoils and treasures of the conquered nations. Doubtless the destruction of property, occasioned by these ravaging wars, was immense ; but the destruction of lives, and the sufferings and misery brought upon families and individuals, must have exceeded all cal- culation. It is stated by historians that, on extraordinary occasions, he caused the kings and chiefs of the conquered nations to be harnessed to his car, instead of horses, and valu- ed himself upon being thus drawn by the lords and sovereigns of other nations. Such were the effects of war principles upon an ambitious young prince, whose mind had been in- flamed with a thirst for military glory, occasioned by his early education in a military school. But after all his con- quests, this vain glorious and haughty prince was struck with blindness, and put a period to his own life. Such was the end of this mighty Egyptian conqueror. Inflamed with a boundless ambition for war and conquest, which was nourished and perhaps generated in a military school, he was the first to attempt universal empire by 16 means of human butchery. His fate, and the fate of many such like “ men of renown,” who have pursued the same ambitious course, so far from deterring others from the like pursuits, seem only to stimulate them in the wild career of war and devastation ; as tho the splendor and magnificence of their future glory depended on the great extent of destruc- tion and misery inflicted on their fellow creatures. Such is the blind infatuation of the war spirit, and such the short- sighted views of those who glory in military achievements. In the reign of this warring prince, the Egyptians rose to a great height in military glory and renown ; but what was the consequence? It laid the foundation for their destruction : for from this time, they studied and practiced the arts of war more, and the arts of peace less. They grew proud and haughty, and increased their ambition for military glory and greatness. Their attention, which had before been engaged in agriculture and the arts of peace, was now turned to the erection of splendid monuments of pride and ambition — form- ing military establishments, impregnable fortresses, and the implements of death and destruction. The obelisks, pyra- mids,* and other monuments of the pride and folly of the Egyptian kings, as described by historians, show the im- mense riches, and the astonishing power and greatness of that mighty nation. Besides these mighty works of pride, ambition and folly, some of their cities have been described as immensely large and populous. “ Thebes,” says Rollin, “might vie with the noblest cities in the universe. Its hundred gates, celebrated by Homer, are universally known. It was equally large and populous ; and according to history, could send out at once, two hundred chariots, and ten thousand fighting men, at each of its gates.”']' This city was also called jYo-Am- mon, and is doubtless the same referred to by the prophet Nahum, under the name of JVo. (See Nahum iii, S.) Thus it appears that Egypt was a rich, populous and powerful nation, great in military resources, mighty in war, and highly exalted in pride and ambition. But her wars proved her ruin ; they were the means of engendering the seeds of destruction in her own bowels. Her military con- quests exalted her pride and self importance. Her nume- rous armies, accustomed to victory and plunder, must of * The largest of these pyramids is said to be 499 feet high, and to cover more than 11 acres of ground, and to have employed 100,000 men 30 years in building it. It is built of hewn stone. f The accounts of some late travellers who have visited its ruins, fully confirm its vast magnitude, and tho appearances of its original splendor . 17 course grow haughty, cruel and insolent. The crimes of war were the natural consequence of her victories ; and the im- mense spoils of which she had robbed other nations, could not fail to introduce extravagance and luxury. Corruption, in every hideous form, followed of course. Her unjust and unprovoked invasions of the rights of other nations, and the heavy contributions and annual tributes, unjustly imposed on them, could not but excite in them a spirit of opposition, and a desire of revenge , whenever an opportunity offered . Of course she was continually embroiled in wars with the sur- rounding nations, which were attended with a constant di- minution of her treasures, destroyed her resources, depopu- lated her cities, disaffected her subjects, weakened her pow- er, created dissensions, broils, mutinies, jealousies and trea- cheries among her officers, and in her armies, till at last she was overwelmed with the wars which she had excited, and sunk into ruin. Such was the fate of a nation once powerful in war, and rich in resources ; nor could all her vast armies, her strength and preparations for defence, afford her any protection. And such is the effect of the spirit of war, wherever it is in- dulged and carried to any considerable extent, in any nation, however strong and powerful. As a further evidence of the pride, ambition and self-con- fidence of Egypt, and of her threatened destruction and de- solation, for her numerous and extensive crimes, we shall quote the testimony of the Jewish prophets, who foretold her ruin, which was evidently the effect of Divine judgment upon her. The prophet Ezekiel has the following testi- mony. “ Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt. Speak and say, Thus saith the Lord God ; Behold I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is my own, and I have made it for myself. — Therefore thus saith the Lord God ; Behold I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee. — Behold I am againstthee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt ut- terly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even un- to the border of Ethiopia — It shall be the basest of the king- doms ; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the na- tions : for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.” And again ; “ By the swords of the mighty I will cause thy multitudes to fall, the terrible of the B 2 IS nations, all of them : and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.” (See Ezek. xxix. and xxxii.) Thus it appears, that because they had exalted themselves in their pride, and carried war and violence among the nations, and ravaged and destroyed the countries around them, God, in his just judgment, was about to suffer other nations to re- turn their injuries upon their own heads. Again : The prophet Nahum, in prophesying against Nin- eveh, says, “Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea ? Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was in- finite. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity : her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of the streets ; and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men Were bound in chains.” (Nahum iii. 8, 9 , 10 ,) Hence it appears, that altho her power and strength was beyond human calculation ; yet she was brought to desola- tion and ruin. All her numerous armies and military pre- parations were insufficient to save her. And hence we may see that the spirit and principles of war and military forces, instead of protecting and defending a nation, have a direct ten- dency to bring about its ruin and destruction. As the Egyptians had greatly afflicted other nations ; so God suffered them to be greatly afflicted in their turn. They received a full measure of the sufferings they had dealt out to others, and that without the possibility of ward- ing off the calamity. The strength of Egypt was gone ; her cities were destroyed, her armies vanquished, her riches ta- ken away, and all her pride and vain glory levelled with the dust ; nor was she ever able to recover herself. For more than two thousand years, she has not had a king of her own, nor been able to maintain an existence as an independent na- tion ; but the desendants of that nation remain, to this day, a degraded and miserable race of beings, governed and en- slaved in their own country, by their conquerors, who are still their masters. THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE. In tracing the course of ancient warring nations, we shall notice the Assyrian empire, as the next in order. It is needless to enter minutely into the history of this empire : 19 but it is supposed to have been founded by Ashur,* the son of Shem and grandson of Noah. Tho doubtless small in its beginning, it evidently became, in time, a very rich and pop- ulous country, mighty in war, and famous for its military operations. Its capital or chief city was Nineveh, which stood on the eastern banks of the Tigris. This city, according to the accounts of historians, was one of the most famous ever known in the world. Rollin makes it eighteen miles and three quarters in length, and eleven and a quarter in width ;*of course it must have been sixty miles in circumference. The height of its walls are said to have been two hundred feet, and sufficiently broad to admit three chariots to go abreast upon them with ease. They were also fortified and adorned with fifteen hundred towers, two hundred feet higher than the walls. It is- also said that the Assyrian empire was so populous, that the king of Nineveh, after having finished this great city, engaged in a war, in which he raised an army of seven- teen hundred thousand foot, two hundred thousand horse, and about sixteen thousand chariots, armed with scythes. How correct this statement is, we are not able to say ; but it is beyond all doubt that Assyria was a very populous country, and able to raise immense armies. They carried war and destruction into other nations, and rendered them- selves famous by their numerous conquests, which so in- flated their pride that they considered themselves invinci- ble to gods and men.j But they finally sunk into ruin and infamy, by the very means which they had taken to raise their fame and extend their power. What then availed all these numerous armies, military power, and warlike prepa- rations of Assyria? They served only to exalt her pride and ambition, corrupt her moral principles, and fit her for destruction. After running her race of glory, she was visited by aveng- ing armies, and compelled, in her turn, to drink deeply of the cup of calamity which she had so often dealt out to other nations. Notwithstanding her abundant riches and mighty power, and her boasted confidence in her own strength, her great city Nineveh was taken and destroyed, and her name blotted out of the land she once inhabited. And thus was fulfilled upon her the testimony of the prophet Nahum. * Rollin ascribes the foundation of this empire to Nimrod, but it evidently took its name from Ashur, and we read, Gem x, 11, that u Ashur, builded Nineveh.” t See Isaiah xxxvi. 18 to 21. 20 “ Wo to the bloody city ! it is all full of lies and robbery. — The horseman lifteth up the bright sword and the glittering spear ; and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases ; and there is no end of their corpses ; they stumble upon their corpses ; because of the whoredoms of the well favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth the nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. Behold I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts ; and I will cast abominable filth upon thee ; and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing stock - . And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste ; who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee ?” “Behold the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies : The fire shall devour thy bars ; there shall the fire devour thee ; the sword shall cut thee off ; it shall eat thee up like the canker worm. Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria ! thy nobles shall dwell in the dust : thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and no man ga- thereth them.” The same prophet also foretold the manner of her fall. “With an overflowing flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof. — The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved . ” Accordingly, when the time of her destruction came, a conspiracy of the nations was form- ed against her, and laid siege to the city. But the inhabi- tants, relying on the strength of their walls and fortifications, shut themselves in. But during the siege, which had been long maintained, there arose a violent inundation of the river Tigris, which suddenly undermined her walls, and threw down an extent of twenty furlongs, or two miles and a half ; and by that means opened a passage into the city, through which the enemy rushed in upon them, and massacred the inhabitants, who lay buried in drunkenness, occasioned by a recent vic- tory.* The king finding himself exposed, and seeing no way of escape, shut himself up in his palace, and setting fire to it, burnt himself, his eunuchs, his women and his immense treasures. | It is said that the fire continued to burn fifteen days before it was extinguished. Thus was the city taken and the palace dissolved, agree- able to prophetic inspiration. With all her great riches, * So ancient pagan warriors celebrated their victories, and modern Christian war- riors still follow their example. t Some writers have estimated these treasures at 1,400 million sterling ; others make them amount to 25,000 millions, which is incredible ; but they were doubtless immense. 21 her military power, her warlike preparations and defences, she was utterly unable to withstand the judgments of Di- vine Providence, or to defend herself against her enemies in the day of trial. As the Assyrian empire had risen to a great height in military power, and gloried much in her ex- tensive conquests and horrid devastations ; so her fall was equally great, and her destruction and disgrace equally hu- miliating and terrible. THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE. The Babylonian empire or empire of the Chaldeans, of which Babylon was the capital, is supposed to have been founded not long after the flood. Its location was in the land of Shinar, where the builders of Babel undertook to im- mortalize themselves by a lofty tower of that name. The city of Babylon is supposed to have included the spot of ground where this mighty tower was attempted. This empire is said to have been founded by Nimrod, the mighty hunter ; and it appears to have been an empire of hunters and warriors for many ages, by the many conquests which they made to enlarge their empire, and extend their power and authority. In the height of their glory they were evidently a haughty, ambitious and warlike people. Of this the city of Babylon itself was a striking proof. Whoever may have been its first founder, it was undoubtedly com- pleted by Nebuchadnezzar, who was the great military hero of this nation, and whose impious pride and warlike ravages, gave him an ignominious fame, and marked him as a mighty madman of renown. With his mighty armies he ravaged many of the fairest portions of the earth. No nation could stand before him ; and wherever he turned his arms, destruc- tion and desolation followed his steps. With the treasures and spoils of conquered countries, and the labor of his cap- tives, he raised the city of Babylon to the zenith of human glory and military power. Its powerful fortifications, and wonderful defences, seem to have been carried to the utmost stretch of art which that age had acquired. The city was built on the banks of the Euphrates, and, as represented by historians, was laid out in a square form, on a large plain, extending fifteen miles each way. Its walls were of brick, and are said to have been three hun- dred and fifty feet high and eighty-seven broad. On each side were twenty-five gates of solid brass, amounting to one hundred in all. Opposite To these gates were twenty-five 22 streets, which ran thro the city each way, making fifty streets, each fifteen miles in length. The walls were sur- mounted by a vast number of towers ; these, it appears, were designed both for ornament and defence. The city was surrounded on the outside with a vast ditch, lined with bricks and filled with water. The clay for the bricks, of which the city walls were built, was taken from this ditch ; of course the ditch must have been very broad and deep. A branch of the river Euphrates was carried through the middle of the city, from north to south, dividing it into two parts. On each side of the river, within the walls of the city, was a high wall of the same thickness with those of the city. In these walls, opposite to every street that led to the river, were gates of brass, with steps descending from them to the river. We have given but a sketch of the vast strength and magnificence of this great city; and this we have done merely to show how weak and futile are all human attempts for military defence, against a power seemingly very in- significant, when Divine Providence has determined to bring about the destruction of a wicked nation. When Cyrus, king of Persia, laid siege to this city, it had twenty years provisions within its walls. These, with the vast strength and fortifications of the city, and the immense number of people within, prepared for its defence, gave the Babylonians great confidence. They insulted Cyrus from the top of their walls, and laughed at all his attempts to con- quer them. The apparent impossibility of his taking the city, killed them into perfect security. But that haughty nation, who had acquired great military renown by conquer- ing many nations, who had risen to the height of military power, through blood and slaughter, whose great success in arms had exalted her pride and vain glory to the very skies, whose sacrilegious robberies and heaven-daring impiety had almost bid defiance to the throne of God, and whose shame- ful scenes of debauchery, obscenity, iniquity and violence, had sunk her to the lowest depths of wickedness, had yet to feel the frowns of Divine justice, and learn the impotence of her boasted power, and the vanity of all her imaginary greatness and military glory. As the taking of Babylon, and its subsequent destruction, were remarkable events in history, and as these events were predicted by the Jewish prophets, many years before they took place, it may be proper to quote a few of the remark- able passages in the predictions of these prophets, and see how exactly they were accomplished. 23 The following extracts are from the fiftieth chapter of J eremiah . ‘ ‘ Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about : all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no ar- rows ; for she hath sinned against the Lord. — Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have pun- ished the king of Assyria. — I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware : thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the Lord. — Behold I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of hosts : for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. — A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the Lord, and upon the inhabitants of Ba- bylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men. — A sword is upon their horses and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her ; and they shall become as women : a sword is upon her treasures, and they shall be robbed. A drought shall be upon her waters, and they shall be dried up : for it is the land of- graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.” The following are from the thirteenth and forty-seventh chapters of Isaiah. “ Come down and sit in the dust, O daughter of Babylon ; sit on the ground ; — O daughter of the Chaldeans : for thou shalt no more be called the lady of kingdoms. For thou hast trussed in thy wickedness : thou hast said, none seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge hath perverted thee. — Therefore shall evil come upon thee ; thou shall not know from whence it riseth ; and mischief shall fall upon thee ; thou shalt not be able to put it off ; and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shall not know. — Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, — and Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. — 'But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there ; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures ; and owls shall dwell there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses and dragons in their pleasant palaces.” These Divine predictions were delivered many years be- fore the events to which they alluded took place ; and ac- cording to the accounts given by historians of the taking of Babylon by Cyrus, and the subsequent calamities which came upon it, we find that they were fully accomplished, in the conquest and final destruction and desolation of that famous, but ill-fated city and empire. Her destructive ravages of 24 other countries, and her barbarous cruelties towards their inhabitants, excited in them a spirit of retaliation. The Medes and Persians, combined with various other nations, and united under Cyrus, king of Persia, a nation comparatively small in view of the Chaldeans, besieged the city, Altho the Babylonians, confident of security, ridicul- ed the attempts of Cyrus to reduce the city ; yet, in con- tempt of their boasted security, and contrary to all their ex- pectations, he laid his plans and disposed his forces in a manner that insured complete success. He had information of a great festival that was to take place in Babylon, on a particular day, and knew that the Babylonians, on such occasions, were accustomed to pass the whole night in drunkenness and debauchery. A particular account of this feast is given in the fifth chapter of Daniel ; with the circumstance of th* hand writing upon the wall, and the consequences that fol- lowed. Cyrus having made preparations for turning the branch of the river, which ran through the city, out of its course, accomplished his object by opening the sluices into another channel, and stopping the passage of the river through the city. Having previously posted his forces at the proper points, on each side of the city, they had only to wait till the water was sufficiently drawn off, so as to render the bed of the river passable, when they marched in, under the walls of the city, through the bed of the river. The two divisions of the army met, in the dead hour of night, in the central part of the city, opposite the king’s palace. Here the project of Cyrus would have been frustrated, if the gates of the inner walls, on the sides of the river,, had been closed. But the Babylonians, in the excesses of that fatal night, had neglected these gates ; and the soldiers of Cyrus, finding them all open, marched directly up into the city, where they found no power to oppose them, the army and the inhabitants being all buried in drunkenness and de- bauchery. The soldiers rushed into the royal palace, and slew Belshazzar and his lords, in the very place where they had just been profaning the sacred vessels of the sanctuary, which Nebuchadnezzar had pillaged from the temple at Jerusalem. The victory of Cyrus was complete. The city was taken, and the destruction of lives was immense. Tho the city of Babylon stood many years after this ; yet it was in subjection to the Medes and Persians. But the Babylonians at length rebelling against their conquerors., the city was again taken and reduced by Darius, and was finally 25 destroyed ; and so complete was the destruction of this great city, that it was at length deserted by those of the inhabi- tants who had escaped the sword of the conquerors. And, agreeable to the predictions of the forementioned prophets, it became a habitation for wild beasts, and venomous crea- tures of every description ; and in this situation it still re- mains. Such was the fate of the great city of Babylon, which was once thought to he impregnable to a world in arms. In the manner of her destruction, we may see the predictions of the prophets fully accomplished ; and with her ruin and desolation, the Chaldean empire and nation were completely blotted out from under heaven. A FEW REFLECTIONS. It is worthy of remark that many writers have comment- ed largely upon the overthrow of Egypt, Assyria and Ba- bylon, as striking proofs in favor of Divine revelation ; be- cause their destruction was so expressly foretold by the Jewish prophets, and so completely fulfilled in the event. But have they made the best use of these extraordinary events, in favor of pure and undefiled religion ? Why have they never drawn arguments from these premises, to show the awful and destructive nature and effects of those malig- nant principles and passions from whence wars originate ? Why have they not drawn illustrations from these events, to show the fatal tendency of maintaining the principles and cultivating the science of war, and to point out the abomi- nable corruptions and moral depravity which invariably spring from these principles, when carried into practice by a nation ? And why have they not shown their utter in- consistency with the principles of genuine Christianity, by a just comparison ? If they would do this, the horrid rudi- ments and practices of these haughty, impious and blood- shedding pagans would appear in their real deformity, when placed in contrast with the meek, harmless and benevolent principles and practice of the Prince of peace and the pri- mitive Christians. Had the writers in defence of Christianity pursued this course, they might have displayed the nature of war, and the nature of the Christian religion, in their true colors, and thereby produced the most important and undeniable proofs in favor of genuine Christianity. They might have proved its beneficial tendency to the souls and bodies of mankind, • C 26 by showing that it is for their best good, both here and here- after. They might also have shown how infinitely the true principles of Christianity exceed, in beauty, glory and hap- piness, the highly extolled maxims of those mighty men of war, those renowned heroes and boasted philosophers, whose lives are stained with blood and carnage. But while these commentators dwell upon the judgments inflicted upon the ancient heathen nations, as proofs in favor of Christianity, because these things had been predicted by the Jewish prophets, and yet leave this same Christianity con- taminated with the dire passions of war, and all its attend- ant corruptions, which were the very causes of those judg- ments ; so far from reflecting any honor upon Christianity, they in reality disgrace it, by sinking it to a level with hea- thenism. For those heathen wars were perfectly consistent with the principles ..of their religion ; but the true principles of the Christian religion are utterly incompatible with war, and every thing pertaining to it. The fulfilment of these prophecies may indeed be adduced as proofs against Athe- ism ; because both the prediction and accomplishment clear- ly show the existence of a power and intelligence infinitely superior to any thing pertaining to human nature. But they prove nothing more in favor of what is generally called Christianity, than in favor of any other religion which is, in like manner, connected with the principles of war. But let these prophecies be viewed in the light of divine truth, and then it will be clearly seen, that the corrupt prin- ciples and practices by which those nations were actuated, being so offensive to Divine Justice, and so contrary to mo- ral virtue, were, in reality, the efficient and sole causes of these judgments. Let the subject be examined still further, and let the principles of modern warfare be contrasted with the benign religion of the Prince of peace who, by precept and example, inculcated the benevolent principles of “ peace on earth and good will towards men and who forbid his followers to render evil for evil ; and it will then be seen whether those modern nations, who profess to five under the lio-ht of the gospel, and to be governed by milder principles, are not still actuated by the same maxims of military glory, and quite as ambitious of martial fame, as were the ancient pagans. If the laws of war, at the present day, are, in some re- spects, less barbarous than those of ancient times, still it will be found that the principles of modern warfare, which require the warrior to shed the blood of his fellow meg, are 27 of the same nature. It will also be found that the princi- ples of war are equally subversive of moral virtue, and tend equally to multiply crimes, increase human depravity, and spread corruption and violence through the land. Is it not indeed a melancholy truth, that crimes of every description are invariably multiplied in a nation, in propor- tion as that nation devotes itself to the principles of war ? And if the same warlike policy, attended with the same moral depravity, will produce the same effects, what can save this nation, or indeed any nation, which maintains the principles and cultivates the arts of war, from the frowns of Divine Justice, at the present day ? Have they any greater assurance of Divine favor or protection than the ancient pa- gans had ? Do they not pursue the same practices ? Nay more — do they not in practice violate their own better light, and reject the pacific doctrines of the Prince of peace, whose divine authority they profess to acknowledge ? Do they not also violate the best principles of the Christian re- ligion, in which they profess to believe ? This the ancient pagans did not do : for the Christian religion had not then been revealed to man. In the destruction of Babylon, the advocates of war may find a powerful lesson of instruction. It affords a most striking instance of the short-sighted policy — nay, the mad- ness and folly of a nation’s relying on military forces, mar- tial skill, or any of the warlike preparations or means of defence generally resorted to, either in war or peace, for protection and safety against invading armies. Why then will warring rulers and military chieftains never learn wis- dom ? Why will they exhaust the treasures, and sacrifice the lives of nations in support of a fallacious principle which, in the event, has always proved their ruin. In Babylon, this favorite principle of the warrior was fully tried, and utterly failed. Here military power and art — preparations and defences — .strength and fortifications — walls and ramparts — pomp and splendor, were all carried to the highest i pitch — to the very zenith of human abilities ; yet what was the result ? Was Babylon protected or de- fended by these means ? Did not her confident, but foolish reliance on these means prove her destruction, instead of her defence ? This certainly cannot be disputed. And such has ever been the fate of nations who have cultivated wars, and put their trust in military defences. 28 THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. The Persians were originally called Elamites, from Elam, the grandson of Noah. Tho an ancient nation, they do not appear to have been much distinguished in the scale of na- tions, previous to the time of Cyrus, when they began to distinguish themselves, in feats of war, under that celebrated leader. In the commencement of their military career, they are represented as a hardy race of people, inured to toil, simple in their manners, virtuous in principle, trained to obedience, and faithful in the discharge of their duty to their friends, their leaders and their laws. Being trained and disciplined to arms, under skilful and active leaders, they became successful in war ; and by as- sociating with the Medes, and a few other allies, they soon acquired great reputation in their wars with the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and other powerful nations, vastly superior to them in numbers. In consequence of these successes, un- der skilful generals, their military power greatly increased, and their martial fame was extended far and wide. Their military pride and ambition now rose to the highest pitch, and their passion for war and conquest became unbounded. In their military career, they overran a vast extent of coun- try, and conquered many powerful nations. But the ravages of war, and the spoils of conquered na- tions, tended only to exalt their pride, inflame their ambi- tion, and increase their military excesses and savage cruel- ties, till at length they considered themselves masters of the world, and felt fully authorised by their vast military strength, and uniform success in war, to bring all other na- tions into subjection to their tyrannical power. The most numerous armies, perhaps, ever raised by any nation, were brought into the field.* Here we may see another striking proof that military ambition knows no bounds. These immense armies, strengthened with a numerous and formidable fleet, hurried on by a boundless ambition for conquest, produced their natural consequences. Blood and * The armies raised by Xerxes, in his expedition against the Grecians, amounted to 2,100,000 land forces, and upwards of 300,000 fighting men employed in his nume- rous fleet, consisting of 1,357 large gallies, besides a vast number of transport ships and smaller gallies for various other uses, which made the number of vessels amount to, 3,000 in all. So that when Xerxes arrived at Thermopylae his land and sea forces together, were estimated at 2,641,610 men, without including servants, eunuchs, wo- men, and other people of that sort, who usually follow' an army, of which the num- ber at this time was considered equal to that of the forces : so that the whole num- ber of souls that followed Xerxes, in his expedition, was estimated at 5,283.220- See Rolli&’s ane. hist. vol. iii. p. 187, 29 slaughter, destruction and misery, confusion and ruin, fol- lowed in their train . N ot only the countries through which they passed, but even the ill-Tated soldiers of these mighty . armies, had to share in the general calamity, and drink deep- ’ ly of the cup of affliction and misery which they occasion- ed. A vast portion of these huge armies lost their lives, their fleets were destroyed, and the remainder of their land forces hastily driven back to their own country. This ad- verse fortune of the Persians was evidently owing to the frowns of Divine Providence, combined with the efforts of a few small forces of the Grecians, comparatively insuffi- cient in numbers to contend with the twentieth part of this mighty Persian army. Tho the Persians had maintained their warlike character for many years, they at length lost their power, and fell by means of the very wars which they had excited. The vast treasures which they had amassed in their wars, from the spoils of other nations, were the means of introducing lux- ury and effeminacy into the nation. The long period in which they had been engaged in supporting and maintaining their wars, had sunk them deep in moral depravity. The incalculable injuries they had inflicted on other nations, had excited the implacable enmity of those nations, and led them to watch the first favorable opportunity to avenge them- selves upon their Persian oppressors. All these circum- stances combined to prepare the way for the destruction of that haughty nation. From the time that the Persians invaded Greece, under Xerxes, their power began to decline. That expedition greatly weakened their forces, tarnished their military fame, and struck the first death blow to their power. Their al- lies soon began to desert them, and their enemies turned upon them ; so that in the« turn, they were compelled to suffer, in their own country, the same horrors of war which they had inflicted on other nations. By a successive train of disasters, their power was destroyed, their empire dissolved, and their immense treasures, the fruits of their military rob- beries, with the richest treasures of their own country, be- came the spoil of their conquerors. The city of Persepolis, the famous capital of the empire, one of the most splendid and magnificent cities ever built, after being despoiled of its immense riches, was burnt by its conqueror, Alexander the Great. That extensive country, through various revolu- tions, has been a theatre of blood and carnage, war and ra- pine, misery and wretchedness ; so that, for ages, the real C 2 30 descendants of that ancient and once powerful nation, have been unknown. Thus, in the fate of this mighty empire, we may see an- other awful example of the fatal tendency of the spirit and . principles of war, and a striking evidence that the higher a nation rises in military power and martial fame, the more certain she is to fall by the same means. THE GRECIAN EMPIRE. The ancient Grecians were once a powerful and warlike nation, who gloried in their military prowess, and evidently excelled most of the neighboring nations in the science of Avar. Their ambition, pride and lust of power, involved them in frequent and bloody wars, both foreign and domes- tic. Their mighty hero and madman of renown , Alexander the Great, to gratify his boundless ambition, and insatiable thirst for military fame, rushed, like an infuriated demon, through the world, conquering wherever he came, laying waste the fairest portions of the globe, and committing such shameful acts of barbarity and devastation, as would have forever disgraced the most notorious pirates and robbers. He ob- tained, indeed, the character of a famous conqueror ; but his career of violence and wickedness was of short dura- tion. In the midst of his conquests, and before he had reached the age of thirty-three years,, he died by drunken- ness, at Babylon. Such was the fate of the greatest military hero known on ancient record, and supposed by many to be the greatest the world ever produced. His vast ' conquests were divided among four of his principal generals, into four great king- doms. These followed the barbarous and savage example of their famous predecessor. War^was their profession, military glory their passion, and conquest their object. — Acting upon the principles of warring rulers, they consi- dered a military attitude as indispensable to maintain their honor and independence, and the only means of protecting and defending a nation. Of course they were continually cultivating the art of war, and rendering themselves obnox- ious to each other, by their military preparations and war- like achievements. Ambitious of power themselves, and jealous of the power of others, they were incessantly seek- ing opportunities to circunrvent, harrass and destroy one an- other ; and such were the horrid scenes of sanguinary bat- tles, treacherous murders, carnage and spoliation, with 31 which they filled their own and each other’s dominions, that they rendered the most populous parts of Europe and Asia, for a long period of time, almost a constant field of carnage and devastation. These destructive wars produced their natural effects ; distress and misery to millions, probably, of the suffering poor, the aged, and women and children ; death or incurable wounds, to many hundreds of thousands of poor soldiers ; but haughtiness, pride and luxury, to the surviving rulers and officers, the wealthy contractors, and all who were left to fatten on the spoils and treasures of the conquered cities and kingdoms ; and we may add, abase depravity of morals, the natural effects of war , to all concerned in them . These things engendered in Greece the seeds of destruction, which sprung up in her own bowels, spread through all ranks and classes, corrupted every faculty of the soul, and extinguished every principle of real goodness that ever existed among them. — Increasing in depravity and sensual indulgence, some of their diversions were cruel and inhuman in the highest de- gree ; others base, ridiculous and shamefully degrading. Their principles of religion and religious ceremonies were filled with ridiculous and obscene fables, and acts of shameful de- bauchery, which rendered their sacred temples, like so many brothels, the most filthy scenes of pollution and obscenity. These things finally sunk the whole nation to the lowest state of depravity and moral infamy, drew upon her the vengeance of her enemies, and paved the way for her de- struction. Thus fell the once famous nations of Greece, so renown- ed in history for arts and arms, so valiant in Avar, so skilled in science, and so enlightened in philosophy ; a people ^whose improvements in philosophy, poetry, history, oratory, archi- tecture, and all the fine arts, have resounded through all the world, and been the envy of aspiring nations to this day. Here we have another proof of the fatal effects of war and military science, and of the utter inability of these pur- suits to render a people prosperous and happy, or eA r en to protect and defend a nation against an invading foe. No nation was ever more renowned for heroic bravery, and none before them ever carried the art of war to so high a pitch, and made it so regular a science. But so far from saving the nation, it proved the very means of blasting her power, destroying her character, and completing her ruin : so that these once noble Grecians have, for ages, been in a most degraded state of slavery. ’ 32 THE CITY OF TYRE. This famous city, by her industry and commercial enter- prise, rose to great wealth and power, and became, in her day, the commercial metropolis of the world ; “ whose mer- chants were princes, and whose traffickers were the hono- rable of the earth.”* She extended her commercial inter- course to all the known world, and was celebrated as the common mart of nations. Her walls and fortifications were considered impregnable ; and her naval and military power was so great, that she was called “ the renowned city, which was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it.”| Her armies were composed of the warriors of many nations ; her naval power was superior to that of any nation. But what did her great naval power, her mighty military defences, her valiant warriors, and all her immense riches avail her ? Were they able to defend her from the power of her enemies, or to save her from destruction, in the day of trial ? The event proved that they were not. By her great riches and power, “ the midst of her became filled with violence.” As like causes produce like effects ; so the principles of violence, when indulged and practiced in a nation, without restraint, have eveYbeen the harbingers of destruction to that nation. This Avas the case with ancient Tyre. “ Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit be- fore a fall.” The immense riches and extensive power of Tyre, so exalted the pride of her king, that he fancied him- self a god, and said, “ I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas.”J But when the time of her visi- tation came, according to the predictions of the inspired pro- phets ; when the cup of her iniquities and her violence had come to the full, then did she look in A r ain to her impregna- ble walls and mighty ramparts, her vast armies and power- ful navies ; they could not save her, nor prevent her de- struction. For notwithstanding all that her military pow- er and strength could do for her defence, she was twice ta- ken ; first by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Alexan- der the Great. Her powerful military defences, and long resistance in the last siege, gave her enemies so much trouble, that after having succeeded against her, they committed the most horrid scenes * Isa. xxiiL 8. t Ezek. xxvi. 17. X Ezek. xxviii. 2, 33 of barbarity and cruelty. So that her great military strength, instead of proving her protection, served only to increase the cup of her calamities, and make her downfall the great- er. Nor has this “ renowned city” ever been able to rise again ; but the prediction of the prophet Ezekiel was ful- filled upon her. “ They shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers ; it shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea ; and it shall be- come a spoil to the nations.”* These predictions have been literally accomplished, in all respects ; so that this once renowned emporium of the world, this great mart of nations, is now inhabited by a few poor and wretched fishermen, who are often seen drying their nets on the barren rocks where this great commercial me- tropolis once stood. Here let the advocates of war pause and reflect ; and in- stead of making a few dry comments on the truth of an- cient prophecy, let them learn this serious lesson of instruc- tion for themselves ; — That all the arts of war, with all the strength and power of military violence, within the reach of human capacity, are powerless and futile in protecting a nation, when compared with the principles of peace, equi- ty, justice and good will to mankind, which alone can en- sure the safety of a nation without bloodshed. THE CITY OF CARTHAGE. This city was first founded by a colony of emigrants from Tyre, and rose also by commercial industry, to a great height of prosperity. In process of time it became not on- ly a great and powerful city, but rose also to a mighty and warlike empire, which extended over a great portion of Af- rica, including many isles of the Mediterranean sea. Her commerce extended throughout almost all the known world, by which she became immensely rich. But as her commerce and riches increased her pride and ambition ; so violence and war succeeded . And such was her riches and warlike power, that no nation appeared to be a match for her. She was, for ages, the powerful rival of the Roman empire. Hannibal, her celebrated hero, “ a mighty man of renown,” once nearly succeeded in conquer- ing the Roman capital itself. At length, however, after having displayed the greatest military skill and enterprise * Ezek. xxvi. 4, 5* 34 perhaps ever known, he failed in his purpose, in conse- quence of the adverse operation of the war-spirit in his own country. The ambitious principles of war and violence, which were so much cultivated by the Carthagenians, produced their natural fruits, and became the prolific source of envy, emu- lation and strife among themselves. In consequence of this, notwithstanding the great skill and enterprising spirit of their general, and the vast military strength and resources of the nation, their , armies were overthrown. And the mighty Hannibal, who had butchered many ten thousands of his fellow men, and spread devastation and misery through the neighboring nations, became his own executioner, and ended his days by a dose of poison. The powerful city of Carthage was sacked, and at length totally destroyed by war, and the empire dissolved ; so that for many ages, that once rich, powerful and warlike people, have not existed as a nation. - Thus the mighty Carthage, whose riches and power ex- alted her pride and ambition, and led her into war, whose treasures were increased by the spoils of nations, and whose people gloried in their military prowess and their mighty conquests, fell by the same means : another awful warning to the advocates of war and warring nations, who trust in the sword for protection and defence. THE ROMAN EMPIRE. It will doubtless be granted that, in the rise and progress of the Roman empire, the principles, practice and natural effects of the art of war, were carried to their utmost ex- tent ; and it is generally believed that the greatness and glo- ry of their military power have never had a parallel. If, therefore, the principles of war ever produced any real be- nefit to a nation, or if the art of war ever employed the noble faculties of man to any useful purpose, it may be fairly tested in the history of that nation. As a nation, it is generally admitted that the Romans ex- celled all others, not only in the science of war, and milita- ry power, but also in their public improvements, and na- tional policy, in men of genius and literary talents, in the arts and sciences, and in all the improvements of civiliza- tion. The power of Rome, and the greatness of her glory, were considered as established upon a firm and immoveable foundation, and, all things considered, the strongest that had 35 ever existed ; so that her strength, in the language of pro- phecy, was compared to iron, the strongest of metals.* But where is she now ? In tracing the history of Rome, we find that the first rise of that nation was from a banditti of lawless robbers, head- ed by Romulus, her first Icing, from whom the Romans took their name. These, favored by fortunate circumstances, gradually increased in numbers and power ; and by pursuing war and violence as a professional calling, they subdued the surrounding nations, spreading havoc and destruction far and wide, and in process of time, extended their power and au- thority over the fairest portions of the earth. In fact, they became at length the masters of the then known world : for those who were not conquered by their arms, were compelled to acknowledge their power. They promoted the principles and cultivated the practice of war, to the utmost extent of their power, and placed their greatest glory in military fame. They considered the highest happiness and glory of a fu- ture state, as the reward of great military exploits ; and viewed a violent death in war, as a sure passport to Heav- en •’j' Our modern warriors have evidently adopted these pagan principles into their religious creed : for we find that when- ever a great military butcher dies, or falls in battle, tho his crimes should be sufficient to disgrace the character of a common highwayman ; yet his fame is extolled to the skies, by the orators of war, and his soul is wafted to Heaven, by the pompous prayers of the high-blooded ministers (profes- sedly) of the Prince of peace. But what are such pray- ers but the sacrilegious offerings of blind guides, which tend merely to flatter and deceive the friends and connec- tions of these blood-stained chiefs, who go out of the world reeking with their own blood and the blood of their breth- ren, which has been shed in transgressing the laws of God ? But what were the benefits of this war policy to the Ro- man empire ? and what did the people gain by it ? It doubt- less gratified their pride and ambitition, and created a few mighty men of renown among them. But this sort of fame was acquired by the sacrifice of millions of the lives of their fellow men, as good by nature as themselves ; and attended * Expositors generally admit the Roman empire to be prefigured by the legs of the great image, in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which were of iron. f See Titus’s speech to his soldiers, at the Beige of Jerusalem, as related by Jose- phus, b. vi. ch. 1. 36 with destruction and rapine, misery and starvation, to many millions more. And thus the earth must be filled with blood and carnage, desolation and misery, that a few individual mortals may, for a little period, become men of great re- nown among their deceived and mistaken fellow mortals, who delight in the horrid din of war. By constantly cultivating the principles, and promoting the spirit of war, in the nation, the Romans became haugh- ty, jealous and irritable ; their military pride and vengeful passions made them a contentious "people ; so that when they were not engaged in foreign wars, they were distract- ing their own country with their domestic broils, conspira- cies and civil wars, in which they exercised the most inhu- man cruelties towards each other. Murders and assassina- tions were frequent among all classes ; violence and robbe- ry were common crimes ; and there was no security for person nor property. Julius Caesar, the most famous of the Roman emperors, after having ravaged and conquered many powerful nations, and slain more than a million of his fellow men, and after having put to death multitudes of his own nation, became, in his turn, the victim of domestic conspiracy, and was as- sassinated in the Roman Senate, by his own senators, and by those, too, whom he had considered his best friends. — Many of the Roman emperors shared a similar fate. Yet Rome was a famous and powerful empire, greatly skilled in the science of war, and highly distinguished for her brave and skilful commanders, and valiant warriors ; therefore, she must be held up as a model of pride and emu- lation for modern warriors. And doubtless the war policy of that ancient nation has had a great effect in perpetuating wars, and animating warring nations, and blood- valiant chief tains, to emulate their bravery and ambition. It is certain that pride and ambition, and a thirst for mili- tary fame, are the principal and most stimulating causes of war among nations claiming the honors and benefits of ci- vilization ; yet it appears that the Romans, like our mo- dern advocates for war, considered it absolutely necessary for the defence and protection of their empire. Hence Cel- sus, a Roman philosopher, in his writings against Chris- tianity, censured the Christians because “ they would not bear arms in defence of the empire, when their services were needed, and would have been accepted.” And speaking of the principle upon which they acted, namely, that wars were unlawful and unchristian, he says, “ If all the nation 37 should act upon this principle, the empire would be over- run by the barbarians.” This was the great objection of the Jews against the pa- cific doctrines of Jesus Christ ; and this has been the common cry of the advocates of war to this day ; but its futility is too obvious to escape the notice of the friends of peace. But why did the barbarians wish to overrun the empire ? For this reason ; they had, for a long period of time, suffered the most horrid indignities from the Romans, till their pa- tience was exhausted, and they Avere driven to madness and revenge against these worse than barbarous enemies, the proud and haughty Romans. But all the military power and skill of the Romans could not prevent the empire from being overrun by the barbarians. Indeed it was the very cause of that calamity. * The barba- rians began their ravages to revenge themselves on the Ro- mans, for the injuries they had received from the military devastations of that warring empire ; and they never ceased until they had completed the ruin of the empire ; and their ravages were attended with the most horrid scenes of bar- barity and devastation that, perhaps, were ever witnessed. For some ages of the early existence of the Roman na- tion, they were distinguished, in many respects, by noble, generous and virtuous principles. But in proportion as they increased in power and military fame, and were suc- cessful in war, their virtuous principles decreased. They lost their character for justice and virtue, and became am- bitious, haughty and tyrannical. Finally their luxuries and debaucheries, civil broils and contentions, the genuine fruits of war, ripened them for Divine judgments, and hastened their ruin. Some of their emperors were but monsters in human shape. There was no luxury, no debauchery, no obscenity, no inhuman cruelties, of which they were not guil- ty. In the indulgence of their pleasures and their passions, they were more like incarnate devils than like human beings. The common people of that nation were wretched in the extreme. Justice, virtue and innocence found no protection. The world was rendered miserable by the contentions and ravages of a people who delighted in blood and carnage ; and the enmity of all nations was excited against them, which could not be appeased short of full revenge. Such was the effect of the principles of war and military power among the Romans. And when the terrible ravages of the barbarians were retaliated upon them, it seemed as tho the elements of heaven and earth had conspired to assist them D 38 and complete the destruction of the Romans. The most terrible earthquakes, famines, sweeping plagues and pesti- lence, ever witnessed, were poured in upon them, to destroy those whom the sword had left ; and such were the dread- ful effects, that it appeared as tho the human race was threatened with extermination. In the history of the Roman empire, the advocates of war may take a serious and impartial view of all the advantages of war, and see the dire effects of its destructive principles. These principles were carried to their highest pitch by that nation. But where is now the military prowess, and blood- bought glory of that once famed mistress of the world? Have they saved her from destruction ? Have they not in- deed been the direct cause of her destruction ? For many ages, this once haughty people have not existed as a nation. Thus fell the mighty Roman empire ; and thus every nation which cultivates the principles of war, and rises high in military fame, must surely fall, unless they abandon those principles before it be too late. THE SARACEN EMPIRE. Next to the Roman, the Saracen or Mahometan empire succeeded in military prowess and power. Led on by the principles of Mahomet, their great founder, by war and fa- naticism, from small beginnings they became an extensive and mighty empire. The Mahometan principles, like those of a large portion of our modern Christians,* placed the greatest glory of man in the profession and use of arms, and considered a death in battle as the certain road to paradise. Being fatalists in principle, they believed their fate to be de- cided by the decrees of Heaven ; and therefore no dangers to which they might be exposed could shorten their lives. They also believed that God had sent them to reform the world by the sword. Excited and fired by these principles, they became in- vincible, and rushed through the world like the destroying locusts, drenching the earth with blood, and wreaking their vengeance on all w T ho would not submit to their power. It is said that Omar, the 2d caliph after Mahomet, during a reign of ten years, reduced thirty-six thousand cities and villages to his obedience. Thus they went on, conquering nations and kingdoms, far and wide, until they established * We should rather say JJntichristians ; because the principles of war are entirely opposite to Christianity. 39 an empire more extensive than that of the Romans, tho perhaps not equal in martial science and power. This they maintained against all opposition, and became the scourges of mankind for a long period of time . Their military power and vast resources were almost beyond calculation. They considered themselves as acting under the authority and patronage of Heaven, and therefore invincible to human power. But their warlike principles, like those of their predecessors in martial fame, corrupted them, and finally proved the cause of their destruction. The ruin of this empire, tho it was the natural effect of the spirit of war, which produced intestine divisions and treachery, was finally accomplished by the Tartars, who, in addition to their military power, appeared to be providen- tially favored to effect the downfall of the Saracens. Their great capital, Bagdad, represented by historians to have been, at that period, “ the richest city in the universe,” was taken, pillaged and burnt by Hulaku Khan. It is said that the treasures found in it were immense. So that divine judg- ments evidently followed their wars and violence, and com- pleted their destruction. Their power was destroyed, and their empire dissolved, so that they have never been able to recover themselves ; but have been known for ages, only as a miserable people, existing and wandering in scattered and separate bands. Thus the Saracen empire, which rose by war, fell by the same means. This affords another aw- ful lesson to warring nations. EMPIRE OF THE TARTARS. In warlike power and human butchery, the Tartars suc- ceeded the Saracens, under their great conquerors Hulaku Khan, Genghis-Khan and Timur Bek or Tamelane. They poured forth their armies, like destructive torrents, thro’ the world, and spread desolation and carnage, wherever they pursued their course, to a more shocking extent than was ever known. Millions of the human race were butcher ed in their bloody and horrible wars and devastations,* by which they conquered the greatest portion of the then known world, and raised an empire far more extensive than that of the Romans, even in the height of their glory, and, for a time, more terrible in power. But after a comparatively short career, in rendering the world miserable by wars, their principles of military pride * It is said that Genghis-Khan destroyed J4 millions of people in 21 years. 40 and ambition by which they rose to power, became the very cause of their ruin. Domestic discord and internal dissensions, feuds and animosities, the natural consequences of military principles, generated the flames of sanguinary wars among themselves, which overthrew the empire, and completed the destruction of the nation. Thus the empire of the Tartars, which rose by war, fell by the same means ; so that at the present day, the Tartars are known only as a miserable and divided race of savage beings ; another consequence of the fatal tendency of the war-policy. THE TURKISH EMPIRE. Cotemporary with the Tartars rose the Turks, who were also of Tartar origin, tho they rose from another quarter, and founded a separate empire. The Turks were originally known as bands or tribes of warlike robbers, who subsisted by rapine and violence. War and human butchery being their principal occupation, they served for hire, in the armies of different feudal and warring princes, in the man- ner still practised by some professed Christian nations, par- ticularly the Swiss and Germans. Here it may be proper to remark, that this degrading practice, among professed Christian nations, of selling them- selves, or of being sold by their rulers, for the purpose of human butchery, to the shame and disgrace of the Christian name, seems to have been borrowed from Pagans and Turks ; nations whom professed orthodox Christians have doomed to eternal damnation. And here we would seriously ask, why is it that these orthodox Christians, have always been so ready to adopt the worst principles and practices of Pa- gans and Mahometans, while they rarely, if ever, embrace any of their virtues ? The principles of war and bloodshed, among professed Christian nations, were evidently first bor- rowed from the Pagan world : for they never originated from Jesus Christ; nor are they sanctioned by any principle of his religion, nor by any example of the primitive Christians. He was the Messenger of “peace on earth, and good will to man consequently his mission must, of necessity, be totally opposite to the principles of war and violence. ' But these professed Christian nations would have acted much more consistently with the principles of the Christian religion, had they, in lieu of the principles of war, adopted the integrity and good faith, in their dealings and commer- 41 cial intercourse, in which these infidel Turks, so called, have shamed the whole Christian world. The Turks and the Mahometans, generally, have ever been more tolerant, in matters of conscience, than the professed orthodox Chris- tians : for it does not appear that they ever persecuted any people for their faith, who would submit to their power, until they were led or rather driven into it, by the horrid persecuting practices of an orthodox hierarchy. So that these persecuting Christians adopted some of the worst of the Mahometan principles, and in return, taught the Ma- hometans worse principles than they before professed . This it was that favored the rapid extension of the more mild and tolerant religion of Mahomet, and gave such extensive suc- cess to the conquering arms of his followers. The Turks, by their wonderful success in the wars of others, grew proud and ambitious, and began to unite in a body, under their distinguished military chiefs. Favored by the forementioned circumstances, and by the dissentions of Christian powers, which had been generated by war-prin- ciples, these new-formed armies made very rapid conquests, and extended their power far and wide. So great was their success that, in a few years, they formed a gigantic empire, which, for a long time, threatened to overturn the Christian world. But pursuing the course of all other warring nations, their military successes, and unrestrained war passions, led them at length into luxury and debauchery, which produced their natural effects, in corrupting and effeminating even the mighty and warlike Turks. In addition to this, their mili- tary pride and ambition, by which their empire rose to such greatness, produced civil dissensions and domestic broils among themselves, which so weakened their power, that they declined as rapidly as they had risen. Their ferocious and destructive wars and conquests had so exasperated the conquered nations, and excited them to avenge their suffer- ings, that powerful combinations were formed against them, which have long been sapping the foundations of their pow- er, and weakening the energies of their military prowess. These, together with their own domestic divisions and jea- lousies, are continually rendering them still more miserable, and hastening their downfall. And their late war with Rus- sia, appears to have struck the fatal stroke to their power, and dissolved the charm of Mahometan invincibility. So that the Ottoman empire, which rose by war, like all their D 2 42 predecessors in military power and glory, is falling by the same means. Many other examples might be adduced, to show the ef- fects of military principles on warring nations ; but these are deemed amply sufficient to prove the principle we have laid down, namely, that where military principles are main- tained, and continued in practice, by any nation, so far are they from affording protection and defence, they will even- tually prove the ruin of its morals and manners, and render the people more miserable, if not effect their total destruc- tion, as an independent nation. RECAPITULATION. Having now given a brief sketch of some of the most noted and famous warring nations, and their bloody wars, from the earliest ages of the world, down to more mo- dern days, we would request the reader to examine the picture, with an unprejudiced eye, which is here but faint- ly portrayed, and reflect with a serious, candid and rational mind, upon the nature and consequences of war, and war- like principles and passions, in all ages, and then say whether it is possible for him to be the advocate of war, or its prin- ciples and preparations, in any shape. Where will the advocates of war now find the once fer- tile, rich and powerful kingdom of Egypt, with her numer- ous armies, which like the waters of a deluge, threatened to cover the earth with their immense numbers and irresisti- ble power ? Where is her famous city of Thebes, with its powerful defences and “ infinite strength ?” What has been the fate of the mighty empire of the ancient Assyrians, who once deemed her power superior to gods and men ? What is become of the great city of Nineveh, with her mighty walls and lofty towers — her numerous armies and wonder- ful strength ? Where is the once highly renowned Chaldean empire ? and what has been the fate of the great city of Babylon, once styled “ the glory of kingdoms ?” where are her impregnable walls and great riches — her inexhaustible resources and mighty strength ? Where is the once vastly extensive Medo-Persian empire, with her immense riches, and almost innumerable military forces ? What has become of the once brave, politic and powerful Grecian empire, whose armies caused the inhabitants of the earth to tremble before them? Where is the far famed city of Tyre, with her inexhaustible riches and mighty power ? What has been 43 the fate of the once powerful Carthagenian empire, and the renowned city of Carthage, with all her fleets and armies, her warring heroes and “ mighty men of renown ?” Where are the once noble, hardy and invincible Romans, and that mighty city which was long known as the proud and haugh- ty mistress of the world ? What is now become of the once invincible Saracen armies, which, swift as the destroying locusts in their flight, seemed to threaten destruction to the human race? Where is the vast empire of the Tartars, whose mighty power once shook the whole earth? And what is now become of the once gigantic power of the Turks ? We might still extend our enquiries, and ask, Where are the once warlike nations of Philistia and Syria ?— of Edom, and Moab, and Ammon ? — and all those warring na- tions whose names we find in the sacred records ? Alas ! they exist only in the record of their names, and their once barbarous and sacreligious deeds. In short, let the advocates of war extend their enquiries through every region of the habitable globe, and will they find a single independent state or empire remaining of all the numerous warring nations of antiquity ? Where is now their once resplendent glory and terrible warlike power? Where are all their impregnable walls, their powerful forti- fications, their military preparations, and immense armies? What did all theif expensive and formidable preparations and means of defence avail them ? Have they protected or preserved in existence any of all these great nations ? Have they saved one of them from destruction ? Have they not been the very cause of destruction and dissolution to them all ? Their glory is faded, like a flaming meteor, that flashes for a moment and dies. Their power is fallen ; like a rush- ing tornado, that vents its rage and is gone. Nothing is left behind but wrecks of cities and empires, the sad monu- ments of human folly, misery and woe! And where are all their great heroes, and “ mighty men of renown,” those “ sons of violence,” who have been the prime movers of violence, and the great scourges of the human race, among these mighty warring nations and .kingdoms ? Doubtless they are gone to receive the reward of their works : ‘ £ Mighty men shall be mightily tormented.” It seems that the most inflexible advocate of war might here learn a lesson, sufficient to convince him of the fatal tendency of the art of war, in all its principles and practices ; and see, at once, the impossibility of promoting the wellbeing 44 of a nation thereby : for the fate of all these nations clearly shows that, so far from affording any permanent protection to any people, the pursuit of military science, and the art of w r ar, has a direct tendency to involve a nation in the ca- lamities of war, and ultimately, to lead it to ruin. To show that military preparations cannot preserve the peace of a nation, we will here introduce an extract from an address delivered by the secretary of the Hartford Peace Society , in that city, on the 7th of September, 1828. “ It is a favorite maxim with some, that preparation for war, is the best preservative of peace. But has not this maxim proved false in fact ? Let us look at Great Britain. Has her constant warlike attitude, and her sensitive national pride, secured to her the constant possession of her rights, and the inestimable blessings of peace ? If so, why has she been complaining, for ages, of the conduct of other nations towards her, and of the violation of their treaties ? And why has her sword been unsheathed forever? From the year 1110 to the present, a period of about seven hundred years, England has had twenty-four wars with France, besides others. Two hundred and sixty years of the seven hundred were employed by these nations in butchering one another. From 1161 to 1471, a term of three hundred and ten years, one hundred and eighty-six were spent in war. From 1 368, they were at war one hundred and one years in one hun- dred and three, having a peace only of two years’ duration.” What a fine exemplification of the principle that preparation for war is the best preservative of peace ! # But so high is the estimation in which the policy of war is held, by political rulers ; so strong is the current of po- pular prejudice in its favor ; and so congenial are its princi- ples to the proud and ambitious passions of man, that, in our days, even professed Christian nations still continue to maintain its practice, and exult in the great glory to be ob- tained by the exploits of war. And instead of profiting by the sad experience of all ages, they still continue to urge the absolute necessity of wars, and warlike preparations, for the protection and defence of nations. And what has been the result ? Have not all the nations of Europe acted upon this principle ? Have they not continued to improve upon the warlike arts of their ancestors ? Have they not even carried the science of war to a far greater extent than it was ever carried by the warring nations of antiquity ? Yet See Harbinger of Peace, No. 7, p. 165. 45 notwithstanding all their arts of war, with all their vast military preparations, their immense armies, and their un- bounded expense to maintain its principles, what has it all availed ? Where is the nation on the continent of Europe, which has not been overrun by war within the last forty years ? How futile, then, have been all their wars and war- like preparations, in protecting and defending these nations ! and how fatal and terrible have been the effects ! Where is now the wonderful military genius of Napoleon ? Where are his mighty armies, which so lately spread terror and devastation through all Europe ? What is become of the invincible power of that man, who made nations tremble before him, and who thought himself master of the world ? Was not the Fre^h empire under him considered uncon- querable ? Yet, after having conquered nearly all Europe, how easily did the hand of Divine Providence, in just re- tribution, accomplish her overthrow, and cause her haughty leader, and the whole nation, to drink deeply of the cup of humiliation and misery, which they had so largely dealt out to other nations. How blind and infatuated are those who are governed by the passions of war ! Why will they not learn wisdom by the fatal experience of all ages and nations before them ? What but absolute infatuation could make them so blind to their own interests, and the interests of their country, — to their own best good, both here and hereafter ? Were there any other art or science on earth which, after having been proved but one hundredth part as much as the art of war, and been attended with one thousandth part of the expense and fatal consequences, and so evidently failed of accomplishing its professed object, who can believe that, in this enlightened age, it would still continue to be practi- ced ? Yet the present generation, with all their professions of generosity and humanity to their enemies, and all their pretensions to civilization and refinement, mingling the blan- dishments of a Chesterfield with the horrid weapons of mur- der, (strange combination !) still continue to rush on to the bloody combat, as if glorying to excel in human butchery, as the noblest art of rational beings. And after having car* ried the art of war, with all its attendant calamities, to the utmost height of destructive refinement, they still manifest very small symptoms of reformation, and are yet unwilling to abandon those delusive maxims, that u preparation for war is the surest means of preserving peace and that, u to cultivate the spirit of war, and make great military prepa- 46 rations, is the best policy of a nation ; because it is the most efficient means of protection and defence.” Fatal de- lusion ! Those who do not consider the fatal tendency of war principles, often adduce the destruction of those ancient na- tions and cities, as sad evidences of the mutability of all earthly things, and as certain proofs of the supposed inevita- ble decree which the Almighty has imposed on states and nations, by which they are predestined to rise and fall. But let them read the declarations of the prophets, who foretold the fate of these, nations, and they will there find that their moral depravity and wickedness, and especially the violence and corruption produced by the spirit of war, were the real causes which brought these disasters upon them. Hence we may learn that there is no inscrutable mystery in the fall of nations ; nor any other predestination in their fate, than the certain visitations of Divine Justice upon them, as the just and natural consequences of their own works. When will the warring nations of Christendom learn, by fatal experience, the truth of the following sacred proverbs, namely ; “ Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.* — The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, j' — He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. J — Wisdom is better than weapons of war.”|| The whole preceding sketch of the fate of warring nations, clearly proves the truth of these sacred passages. When therefore, we ask, will the nations of Christendom lay aside their degrading and destructive war principles, on which . they so confidently rely for strength and safety, and learn that portion of true wisdom which is better than strength, — the wisdom of prudence , virtue and peace ? *Ppa, cxxvii 1, jEccl.ix, 11. t Prov, xvi, 32. || Eccl. ix. 18. PART II THE SUCCESS OF THE ISRAELITES IN WAR NOT DEPENDENT ON THEIR MILITARY FORCES, BUT ON THE FAVOR OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord : for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh. — Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is : for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters. Jer. xvii. 5 — 8. THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR DELUSIVE. So great is the popular delusion, and so inveterate the force of prejudice on the subject of war, that notwithstand- ing all the facts which have been stated in the preceding pages, probably very few will readily be persuaded to re- linquish those delusive maxims which have so long pre- vailed in the world, and which are still so artfully and strenu- ously advocated and maintained by ambitious statesmen and warriors. These maxims teach that, “ As wars always have existed, so they always must exist and that, “ there is no security to any state or nation without military preparations for de- fence and protection or in other words, that there is no security without trusting in “ an arm of flesh.” The plain language of this is, that there is no safety in putting our trust in God, and submitting our lives, liberties and property to his protection, who alone is able to preserve them ; and therefore we must be prepared to defend ourselves by the strength of our own arms, and put ourselves in a position to destroy the lives of our fellow creatures, at the risk of an equal destruction of our own, as the only means of safety ! And this we must do at the expense of violating the express command of God, “ Thou shaltnot kill.” This is consider- ed by the deluded sons of war as the only path of safety, glory and honor, and is the clear import, the very spirit of their military principles and maxims. By this they evident- ly show that they “put their trust in man, and make flesh their arm ;” therefore, instead of being under the blessing and protection of God, they are under the curse ; and hence they “ see not when good cometh.” When nations are so far removed from God by their pride and wickedness, as to be conscious of having no just right to look to him for his blessing and protection, they are natural- 48 ly led to put their trust in an arm of flesh ; because they have no other resource. They are “ like the heath in the desert,” and do not see the good that comes from God, to those who justly and confidently put their trust in him. It is not a matter of surprise, that those who distrust the protection of God, should believe that their only safety is in an arm of flesh ; nor is it strange that, when they are at war with others of the same principle, they should sometimes appear to be protected and defended by the arms of war. For when both parties trust solely to their military power and skill for success, if there should be any victory in the issue, one or the other must be victorious. But an impartial his- tory of wars, and warring nations, will show that this seem- ing protection has seldom, if ever, been any thing more than appearance ; not any thing real and substantial : and it often happens that the victors suffer as much as the vanquished ; and great loss of life and treasure is, most generally, the fate of both parties The most powerful armies ever raised, and the nqost im- pregnable fortifications ever erected, have often been over- thrown and destroyed by means comparatively small and insignificant. This clearly proves that, “ the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” From the history of wars and military establishments and preparations, in all ages, together with their nature and effects, it appears evident that, altho they have been maintained under the impression that they were, honorable to the nation, and the only sure means of its protection ; yet they have often had a very different effect, and not unfrequently proved the nation’s ruin. It is well known, tho not duly considered, that wars pro- duce the most demoralizing effects upon nations and indi- viduals. They excite and call into action the most ignoble passions of human nature. It is often said by the advocates of war, that it takes off the refuse of mankind, and renders a nation more moral. But facts prove the contrary, and clearly show that where it takes off one such, it makes ten. As war usually calls forth the young men of a nation ; so a protracted war generally corrupts almost the whole rising generation. War is truly a school of vice and immorality ; it is a nursery for thieves, robbers and murderers. In short, it is attended with the production and growth of every vice that ever contaminated the nature of man. These effects of war cannot be denied by any rational person, who is ac- quainted with the history of war, and has traced its conse- 49 quences. Indeed, the real character and conduct of many of the most successful, and highly celebrated military chiefs, whose conquering fame and bloody exploits have been em- blazoned on the pages of history, were they generally known and properly appreciated, would degrade them to the low- est rank of infamy. Hence a bloody battle, instead of being celebrated as the glorious victory of a distinguished chief, ought to be consider- ed, as it is in fact, the most infamous, the most degrading, the most horrid and detestable transaction that can possibly mark the character of a rational being. Fallen and degra- ded as mankind are, by their wicked works, nothing sinks them so far below the most ferocious beasts of the forest, as the barbarous practice of destroying the lives of their own species, and inflicting upon them the usual horrid calamities and depredations of war. These worse than beastly trans- actions may indeed be the work of common soldiers ; but they are not committed with a view to avenge their own wrongs ; that is quite out of the question. It is presumed that common soldiers, especially those who are drawn into the army against their own inclinations, seldom think of gratifying private ambition, or of getting themselves a name by their barbarous exploits ; but being under martial law, they must obey the ambitious and tyrannical mandates of an aspiring chief, who seeks for deathless fame through deeds of death. But the modern plea in favor of war is national defence. A pitiful and delusive plea ! With much more ease, and vastly less expense, might any country be defended by the principles of peace than by those of war. The experience of all ages has abundantly proved that public wars, instead of defending or benefitting a nation, have ever been the cause of calamity and destruction, misery and ruin to man- kind. Indeed it is the opinion of many, that the aggregate amount of misery to the human race, occasioned by war, has exceeded that of all the plagues, and awful visitations of Divine Providence, that ever took place since man exist- ed on earth. Who then, that has a heart of humanity in his bosom, can avoid deploring the existence of that infatua- ted spirit, that impels so many civilized nations, and so ma- ny millions of rational beings, into the horrors of war. Since wars have been invariably attended with more loss than gain, why should such miserable means of defence be continued any longer ? Can any but madmen hesitate to renounce these barbarous principles, and adopt principles E 50 better calculated to insure success ? Do not better principles exist ? and have they not been sufficiently proved ? Are not the principles of peace more conducive to the happiness of a nation ? and do they not afford a greater security against violence and aggression ? Have they ever failed of success when fairly tested ? And in this enlightened age, wherein we are so highly favored with the boasted reign of reason, and the mild influence of civilization, will any per- son of candor pretend to deny, that pacific principles would eventually redound more to the honor and glory of a nation, than the most successful war possibly could do, in the pre- sent state of the world ? Altho the experience of ages has proved that the science of war, with all its preparations, cannot be relied upon for protection and defence ; yet the fatal delusion is still kept up. Military fame is counted a glorious object of pursuit, and the deluded multitude are enchained in the foolish be- lief, that these things are unavoidable and absolutely neces- sary. But let the eyes of mankind be fairly opened — let them have a clear view of the real nature and effects of war, when divested of all its delusive glare, and they will at once see the astonishing contrast between the principles of war and peace. They will then see that on the former there can be no safe dependence for protection ; and that the latter is the only wise policy that any nation can reasonably pursue. The ambitious pride and corrupt passions of man, have been so long nourished and strengthened by the principles of war, that pacific principles have not had so extensive a trial as those of war ; yet so far as they have been fairly proved, they have never failed of success, in maintaining peace and happiness, and preserving the honor and prosperity of the nation or people who adopted them. And let any nation fully adopt the principles of peace, and conduct with jus- tice and fairness in all their transactions with others, and put their trust in the protection of Divine Providence, and they will have nothing to fear from the arms of war . T o show that this has been sufficiently proved, we will take a view of the effects of pacific principles, in various ages of the world, as we find them recorded in history, and let them stand in con- trast with the principles of war. We shall begin with the Israelites, the once covenant people of God. 51 THE ISRAELITES. It is well known that when this chosen people were un- der bondage in Egypt, they were not delivered by the arms of war, but by the mighty hand of Omnipotent Power. — Surely none will pretend that their numbers were not suffi- cient to accomplish their deliverance by an arm of flesh. — Nor would it have been so extraordinary for them to have effected their deliverance by war, as many war events that have taken place between contending nations. Why then were they not directed to deliver themselves by warj? It seems however that God, in his wisdom, saw fit to prepare a way by which their enemies were totally destroyed ; and they were delivered from their bondage, without the use of sword or spear. It may be said, truly, that these things were designed and brought about, to show the mighty pow- er of God. But can it be denied that God is the same God now that he was then ? It may be said that warriors have often obtained their ob- ject and come off victorious. The same may also be said of robbers and murderers ; but this cannot justify acts of robbery and murder, nor screen the perpetrators from deser- ved punishment. We feel no hesitation in asserting that, without the Divine approbation, or the express command of God, clearly manifested, no advantages have ever been gained by war, which might not have been more easily gain- ed under the influence of pacific principles. And, generally speaking, the benefits resulting from successful wars, have been counterbalanced by a much greater portion of suffer- ings and loss, on the part of the victorious nation, exclusive of the disasters suffered by the vanquished. After the Israelites were delivered from their Egyptian bondage, Amalek made war upon them. And altho they were then under the necessity of fighting in their own de- fence ; yet it appears evident that the victory did not de- pend on the force of arms, but upon the operations of Di- vine Providence : as may be seen in Exodus xvii. 8, and onward. The wars of the Israelites against the Midian- ites, and the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, were evi- dently undertaken by Divine authority. But in searching the characters of those nations, we find sufficient evidence that it was in consequence of their abominable wickedness, that God gave the Israelites power and authority to destroy them. These nations, by their abominations, had become a curse to the earth ; and as the law knew no mercy, and 52 Christ had not then appeared to open the door of mercy, God had a just right to send his own covenant people to de- stroy them, and take their place. And as the dispensations of Divine Providence, under the law, were figurative of future events, under the dispensations of the gospel ; so the destruction of the wicked and corrupt inhabitants of the land of Canaan, by God’s covenant people, was figurative of the destruction of the old natural man, with all his cor- rupt propensities, by the new man, who is brought into the true spiritual covenant of Christ. But why should Christian professors, of the present day, plead a divine command to make war upon their fellow Christians ? Is it because Christian nations bear the cha- racter of those impious heathen nations of Canaan, against whom God commanded the Israelites to make war ? Un- fortunately, it is to be feared that many of them exceed that character in wickedness. But if any Christian nation is so far sunk in wickedness, as to become a curse to the earth, and incur the Divine vengeance, who is to judge them ? and who is to execute that judgment ? Is it those who are themselves equally guilty ? If they are to be punished by war, it ought to be by the decision of thejrighteous Judge of all the earth, and by that only. If Christian rulers choose to take the Mosaic law for their authority, and undertake to execute judgment upon their guilty brethren ; they ought not only to know that they themselves are guiltless of the like crimes, but also to know that they are authorized by a special command of God to do it : And even then, they must be considered as under the law of Moses, and not under the gospel of Christ. For tho we readily admit that, under the law, God did sometimes authorize the Israelites to be the executioners of his judg- ments upon wicked nations ; yet we do not find that Jesus Christ ever commissioned his followers to administer judg- ments, or to destroy men’s lives ; but to teach the way of peace, and administer mercy to all. We presume that the plea of God’s having authorized the Jewish wars, is advanced merely as a plea of justifica- tion, in favor of the wars waged by professed Christian na- tions. But it ought to be considered that this plea will equal- ly justify the destruction of a whole nation in war, men, women and children, even all in whom is found the breath of life : for concerning the Canaanites, the command of God to the Israelites was, “ Thou shalt save alive nothing that 5S breatheth.*’* And if the advocates of war consider the Jewish wars as any example for them to follow, they must, upon the same principle, admit the command of God con- cerning the Canaanites, to have its full force, as an exam- ple. And they ought also to ascertain, to a certainty, which of the two professed Christian nations going to war, are the wicked Canaanites, who are to be utterly destroyed, and which are God’s covenant people, who are to execute those bloody commands. But such commands, at the present day, would probably appear too revolting to humanity to find many advocates, even among the bloodshedding sons of war. And if modern Christians cannot be justified in going to the same extent of destruction against their enemies, they cannot be justified in making war at all : for war is war ; and it must be attended with more or less destruction upon the lives and property of their fellow beings, whether it is waged by Christians, Pa- gans or Turks. If Christians can he justified in making war upon their fellow Christians, we would ask to what ex- tent of blood and slaughter can they go, without violating the precepts of their Divine Lord and Master ? This is a serious question ; and Christians ought to know the extent of their Christian authority, before they commence the bloody work of death upon their fellow Christians. Some of the strenuous advocates of war attempt to justi- fy it by the following argument, namely : l< As the nature of man is essentially the same, in all ages, and God is an unchangeable Being ; therefore, since it is evident from the records of scripture, that wars were formerly authorized by the command of God, they must have been agreeable to his will. And if they were ever agreeable to the will of God, they must be so now : for being unchangeable in his nature, that which was once agreeable to his will, must still remain so, and must, of course, be just and right in his view.” — But it seems that these enlightened reasoners do not consi- der that the same argument would equally prove the neces- sity of circumcision, as well as all the injunctions of the Le- vitical law, upon Christians of the present day. As well might they urge the propriety of enforcing those penalties of the Jewish law of burning and stoning to death, for specific crimes ; because the penalties were of Divine authority, and God is unchangeable. * Deut. xx. 16. E2 54 A just and wise lawgiver will give laws according to the circumstances which render those laws necessary ; and a change of law argues no change in such a lawgiver. The law of Moses was given in an ignorant and barbarous age of the world, and was designed for wise purposes. And are Christians of the present day advanced no further in human civilization, than the nations and people of that barbarous age ? Does it reflect any honor upon Christianity, for mo- dern Christians to shelter themselves under those sanguinary laws, which governed such a savage state of the world ? — How does this comport with their high pretensions to su- perior light and knowledge ? or with their boasted claims to greater humanity and civilization ? The deliverance of the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage, by Divine Power, was designed as a type, or fig- ure, of the future deliverance of his people from the bon- dage of sin and Satan, by the power of God. The accom- plishment of this great work, without the power of arms, was an evidence that God needed not an arm of flesh to accomplish his purposes, or to effect any deliverance which was according to his will. It was also well calculated to show, to all ages, that the protection or deliverance of any people or nation, depends entirely upon the operations of Divine Providence, whether these operations are apparent to man or not. This remark- able deliverance was doubtless designed also, to show the Israelites the necessity of trusting in God, and not in them- selves. And it ought to teach all people a lesson of depen- dence upon God ; lest they should be puffed up with pride, and begin to boast that their own arm has saved them ; which is the natural consequence of success in war. “ These things were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.”* How easy it might have been, in the order of Divine Providence, calculating upon the strength of human power alone, for six hundred thousand Israelites, “ that were able to go forth to war,”f to have fought their way through, and obtained their freedom ! Yet the wisdom of God directed that it should be accomplished through the operations of his Divine Power, without any warlike operations on the part of the Israelites. When this is duly considered, it must appear evident, that the extraordinary manner of this deli- verance, and the lesson it is calculated to teach mankind, * 1 Cor. x. 11. tNum. i. 46. 55 must have an important bearing upon the question concern- ing the policy of war and peace, and whether it is better to trust in an arm of flesh, or in the providence of God. After the Israelites were established in the promised land, so long as they strictly kept the law, and did not unite nor intermeddle with the neighboring nations, they generally en- joyed the blessings of peace, and were but rarely afflicted with wars. But whenever they turned their hearts to fol- low the customs and practices of other nations, and trans- gressed their own laws, they were generally visited by the scourge of war, and suffered the invasion of their territo- ries. But they rarely found any deliverance, or had any success against their enemies, excepting where it was effect- ed by the operations of Divine Providence, rather than by the force of arms. When the children of Israel were oppressed by the Mi- dianites, and Gideon was raised up for their deliverance, a great army of the Israelites was raised for that purpose. — But the Lord said to Gideon,. “ The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.”* Such is the boasting nature of the spirit of war. But Gideon, in obedience to the com- mand of God, took only three hundred men, who were se- lected by a particular sign ; and with this number, under the Divine direction, the mighty host of Midianites, who were compared to grasshoppers for their vast numbers, were entirely defeated, without the use of sword or spear, on the part of Gideon and Iris men, and the Israelites were deliver- ed. After this remarkable victory, we find the nature and dis- position of the war-spirit discovering itself in the Ephraim- ites, who were highly offended with Gideon, because he did not invite them to the battle. Hence it appears evident that their object was, to acquire honor to themselves, instead of giving the glory to God. And had Gideon gone forth with his whole army, and defeated the enemy by the power of arms, his warriors would undoubtedly have taken the honor of the victory to themselves. This has been the character and disposition of warring nations, in all ages of the world : for although they have often, and perhaps gene- rally, pretended to give honor to some deity or other, whom Judges vii. 56 they professed to acknowledge ; yet their greatest pride has been to glory in their own exploits. The Israelites, by their frequent rebellions against the law of God, had so far lost the Divine protection, that the sur- rounding nations were suffered to overpower them, and ma- ny times to chastise them with great severity. And tho they were frequently embroiled in war with the neighboring nations ; yet, with all their military bravery and skill in arms, they could not defend themselves in war, without the aid of Divine Providence ; but were often reduced by the power of their enemies, to the very brink of ruin. They were in a very critical situation at the time when David, by Divine authority, was anointed their king. KING DAVID AND HIS SUCCESSORS. KING DAVID, for a long time, appears to have possessed great piety and humility. He evidently placed his whole trust in God, and was a strict observer of the law ; nor did he engage in war, without first consulting the Divine Ora- cle, and looking to God for direction. By this means, he went forth in the strength of the God of Israel, and was successful in delivering the children of Israel from all their enemies, and extending their borders to the utmost bounds of the land which had been promised to the seed of Abra- ham. But by a constant train of successes against his enemies, it appears that, in process of time, he conceived himself in- vincible in war, and was not so careful, as formerly, to ask counsel of God ; but made wars of his own accord, either for conquest or revenge. His ambition and self-confidence seems to have increased upon him, till at length, he was led into crimes which brought the judgment of God upon him, with a threatening denunciation, that “the sword should never depart from his house.” But notwithstanding all the pleas in favor of war, which are drawn from David’s example, and the aid and authority he received from Divine Providence, it appears that God would not suffer him to build the house of the Lord ; because he wasaman of war. In his charge to Solomon, he says, “ It was in my mind to build a house unto the name of the Lord my God ; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘ Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars : thou shalt not build a house unto my name ; be- cause thou hast shed much blood upon tire earth in my sight. 57 Behold a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest ; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about : for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my .name ; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father ; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ KING SOLOMON was an eminent type of Christ, and his pacific reign was figurative of the peaceable reign of the Messiah, the Prince of peace, and was designed to show forth to mankind the peaceable nature of his Kingdom. It also showed that the warlike reign of David, however just it might be under the law, could have no part in that ever- lasting Kingdom of peace, to be established by the Messiah, in which war and violence shall be unknown, and of which there will be no end. Here is displayed a most important lesson to mankind. But such is the inveterate and powerful influence of military principles, that the advocates of war appear to be blind, even to the most plain and positive facts, which seem to operate, in any manner against the unjust nature and destructive principles of war. How clearly it appears, from the fore- going significant and striking figure, that the very nature and spirit of war is utterly opposed to the spirit of Christian- ity ! Hence it is certain, that no warring spirit can have any part in the Kingdom of Christ. • It appears that king David, even at a time when wars were as justifiable, perhaps, as any wars ever were, could not be permitted to build the house of the Lord ; because he had been a man of war. And yet that house, or temple of the Lord, was but a figure of the true temple of God, which Christ was to build on earth, in the latter day, and which indeed is the true Church of Christ, built up of holy souls, for a habitation of God. And is it reasonable to sup- pose, that those who are under the influence of the spirit of war, can build and inhabit the true temple of God, when king David himself could not be permitted to build the figurative temple, because he was a man of war ? Nothing was considered so great a pollution to the Jewish temple, as the blood and dead bodies of men. Can any rational per- son then suppose, that the true spiritual temple of Christ would not be defiled by shedding blood, and taking the life * X Chron. xxii. 7 — 10, 58 of man ? The very idea is revolting to the spirit of the gos- pel, and to all consistent ideas of Christianity. By the peaceable and prosperous reign of king Solomon, mankind may learn two important lessons. First, that there is a peculiar blessing, prosperity, happiness and glory resulting from a state of peace, which can never be enjoyed in a state of war. Second, that Christ’s Kingdom cannot, of a certainty, admit of wars and fightings. The wisdom and justice of Solomon was far more effectual, in subduing the hostile spirit of the neighboring nations, and preserving peace in the land, than all that had ever been done by all the wars of his father ; and his peaceable administration in- creased the glory and happiness of his people and nation, beyond that of any other nation on earth. Indeed we have no account in ancient or modern history, of any kingdom or nation that ever was so signally honored and respected, or that ever enjoyed so great a degree of power and influ- ence, glory and happiness, as that of the Israelites, during the greater part of Icing Solomon’s reign.* During this peaceable reign, that extraordinary temple was built, which far exceeded, in temporal glory, that of any other edifice ever erected on earth. This glorious tem- ple was but a figure of the Church or Kingdom of Christ, which is to be built entirely through the operations of the principles of peace ; in which the sound of war can no more be heard, than the sound of axe or hammer was heard in the building of this temple. And this Church and peace- able Kingdom, will as far exceed in glory all other spiritual buildings or kingdoms, as the temple and kingdom of Solo- mon exceeded all other buildings, or earthly kingdoms, in glory. Let the serious professor of Christianity pause, and reflect on the remarkable circumstances attending the building of this figurative temple ; and consider the predictions of the prophets concerning it ; and contemplate the great work it was designed to typify ; and then say whether he believes it possible for him to build, in the temple of Christ, or to have any part in his Kingdom, while his hands are stained with the blood of his fellow men, whom Christ came to re- deem. How could such professors avoid polluting the spi- ritual temple, with their blood-stained souls, (were they suffered to enter therein,) to a far greater degree than it was possible to pollute the temple of Solomon, with the blood and dead bodies of men ? * Sec 1 Kings iv. 20, 21, and 2 Chren. i. 12. 59 So long as Solomon kept the law, and maintained a just and peaceful administration, he had no wars, nor any adver- saries, neither foreign nor domestic, in his dominions. But after he had finished the temple, he began to erect great fortifications ; and even transgressed the laws of God, to provide himself with horses and chariots, and make great military preparations. By this means, (as is usually the case with military characters,) his pride and ambition in- creased, and he became haughty, oppressive and tyrannical ; and thereby stirred up adversaries, both foreign and domes- tic. His feelings being exalted with his great riches and glory, he forgot the Lord his God, and plunged himself into many excesses, corrupting himself with unnatural alliances with strange women. Such conduct is the natural conse- quence of the spirit of war ; as the history of all warring nations, in all ages, have abundantly testified. This proved Solomon’s ruin, and eventually the ruin of his kingdom. Shortly after his decease, the seeds of rebellion, which ori- ginated in his own household, produced a division in the empire, and wrested the greatest portion of it from his son and successor. REHOBOAM, the son of Solomon, on coming to the throne, turned the hearts of the people against him, by reject- ing the wise counsel of his father’s aged friends, and follow- ing the foolish advice of his youthful comrades. This rash conduct so disgusted the people, that ten tribes suddenly re- volted from him, and placed themselves under Jeroboam, as king of Israel, and only two remained to support Rehoboam in his government. For a season however, he made a show of keeping the law ; yet he pursued the policy of war. He built and fortified many strong fortresses, and made great military preparations to reduce the revolted tribes to obe- dience. But being forbidden by a man of God, to make war upon his brethren, the children of Israel, he forbore at that time ; and while he was obedient to the heavenly injunction, and kept the divine law, the effect of his war policy was not proved. “ But when Rehoboam had esta- blished the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he for- sook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. Then war and disgrace followed. In the fifth year of his reign, u Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem ; because they had transgressed against the Lord.” Thothe Egyptian king advanced with * 3 Chron. xii. 1. ( 60 a numerous army ; yet as Rehoboam had an army of 180,000 men, and was strongly fortified, it could not have been con- sidered difficult for him to defend himself against the Egyp- tian army, had he been favored with the approbation of Divine Providence. Such events have often taken place, with much less prospect of success. But the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, and said, “ Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.” Of what use then were all his fortifications, and his great military preparations ? God was against him, because of his wickedness ; therefore he and all Jerusalem became an easy conquest to the enemy. The temple was taken and rifled, and all its rich treasures carried into Egypt. This is another powerful lesson to the advocates of war ; a striking evidence of the weakness of human policy, and of the utter inutility of relying on an arm of flesh, to protect and defend a nation, without the aid of Divine Providence. ASA, the son of Abijah, and grandson of Rehoboam, ap- pears to have been an upright young prince. “ And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” Inconsequence of his uprightness, his kingdom enjoyed peace and quietness ten years. During this period the nation prospered, and increased in strength and power. But having built strong cities, and erected walls and towers for their defence, and having raised and prepared a large army for the defence and protection of his dominions, they were at length invaded by the king of Ethiopia, with a nu- merous and powerful army of more than a million of men. Asa felt the insufficiency of his own power to withstand such an immense army ; and therefore put his trust in God. “ And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power : help us, O Lord our God ! for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multi- tude. O Lord, thou art our God ; let not man prevail against thee.”* Here Asa appears to have had a just sense and under- standing, that their protection was not in the strength of their arms, but in the operations of Divine Power; and being a just man, according to the day in which he lived, God heard his prayer and answered it, agreeable to his faith. “ So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah ; and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa, and the people *2 Chion. xiv. 11. 61 that were with him, pursued them unto Gerar : and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves ; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host.” We may here see another evident proof that great armies, and vast military power, cannot save nor protect a nation. Yet Christian professors of the present day, who boast the privilege of living in an age of much greater light, and claim a right to go to war from divine authority, are still unwilling to put their trust in God for protection, without a powerful army and navy, and all the military preparations and de- fences necessary, in their opinion, to cope with an enemy of equal force, on equal grounds. Thus they plainly declare that their only reliance is upon their own power, skill aad bravery in war ; and their confidence in an arm of flesh, is their greatest hope. And when we consider the depravity, injustice and wickedness of the present age, we are not sur- prised at their want of confidence in the Divine protection, seeing they have no just claim to it. While they are led and governed by a spirit of strife and contention, they know not how to estimate the blessings of peace : hence they de- light in the broils of war and bloodshed, and are continually marring their own peace and happiness, by striving to mar that of others. In pursuing this course, they must neces- sarily fall under the same curse' with him who “trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm.” Such professors of Chris- tianity, with all their boasted privileges, must fall vastly short of thatDivine favor which was extended to the Jews, who kept the law ; and that very justly too ; for the Jews placed far more confidence in the protection of Divine Pro- vidence. After Asa’s victory over the Ethiopians, God sent the prophet Azariah out to meet him, and to say to him, “ Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin : The Lord is with you while ye be with him : and if ye seek him, he will be found of you ; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Be ye strong, therefore, and let not your hands be weak : for your work shall be rewarded.” And when Asa heard these words of the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of his dominions, and renewed the altar of the Lord, and assembled all the people at Jerusalem ; and there they made offerings unto the Lord. “ And they en- tered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul ; — and they sought him with their whole desire ; and he was found of them; 62 and the Lord gave them rest round about.” And as a re- ward of their piety, “there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.”* Thus it appears that Asa and his people, by turning from their former wickedness, destroying their idols, renouncing idolatry, and seeking the Lord God of their fathers, and yielding faithful obedience to the Divine law, were safely protected, and their country was preserved from the scour- ges of war, and enjoyed a long season of peace and happi- ness. But it seems in the latter part of Asa’s reign, the king of Israel excited a war against Judah ; and Asa, instead of look- ing to God for protection, formed an alliance with the king of Syria, and by a present of silver and gold, obtained his assistance in a war against the king of Israel. I This con- duct displeased the Lord, who sent a prophet to reprove him. The prophet came to Asa and said, “Because thou hast re- lied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.” And after reminding him of the assist- ance he had formerly received from the hand of the Lord, against the Ethiopians, because he put his trust in God, the prophet added, “ The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards him. Here- in thou has done foolishly ; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”J Thus did Asa forfeit the Divine pro- tection and lose the blessings of peace. JEHOSHAPHAT, the son of Asa, succeeded his father. He began his reign with great zeal for the law of the Lord, and applied himself to labor for the benefit of his people, and to instruct them in thedivine law. “ And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his fa- ther David, and sought the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel : Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the land that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. ”|| On the contrary, some of them sought his favor and brought him presents. Thus his people enjoyed the blessings of peace ; and these bless- * 2 Chron. xv. t This practice has abundantly prevailed among warring Christians of modern times, when fighting their fellow Christians. X 2 Chron. xvi. 9. || 2 Chron. xvii. 3, 4. 5, 10. 63 ings were not the result of military preparations, but of obe- dience to the divine law, and a pacific policy. But Jehoshaphat was afterwards drawn into a connection with Ahab, the idolatrous king of Israel, and narrowly es- caped plunging himself and all Judah into ruin. Being pre- vailed upon by Ahab, to assist him in a war against the king of Syria, Ahab was slain, and Jehoshaphat narrowly, and very providentially, escaped with his life. After this escape, he returned home in peace. But he was met by a prophet of the Lord , who reproved him and said , ‘ ‘ Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord ? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. Never- theless, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God.” After this admonition, Jehoshaphat renewed his zeal in the cause of God, and for the reforma- tion and moral improvement of his people. At length a very powerful coalition of the Moabites and Ammonites, and their confederates, was raised against Je- hoshaphat. This coalition was probably occasioned by his confederacy with Ahab. But whatever was the cause of it, it was perhaps one of the most powerful coalitions that ever was raised in any age of the world. Tho we have no ac- count of the numbers contained in this vast army ; yet it must have been exceedingly numerous : for it appears that Jehoshaphat had an army of eleven hundred and sixty thou- sand men, besides those who guarded the fenced cities throughout the kingdom. Yet with all these means of de- fence, he considered himself entirely unable to withstand this mighty army. He therefore called upon the Lord for help, “and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord,” and prayed before the congregation ; and in the conclusion of his prayer he says, “ 0 our God, wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us ; neither know we what to do : but our eyes are upon thee.” Hence we may conclude that the army which came against Jehoshaphat, must have been immensely large. But as he relied solely upon Divine protection, God raised up a prophet, who assured him of protection without the necessity of re- sorting to arms. “ Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude ; for the battle is not yours, but God’s, Ye shall not need to fight in this 64 battle ; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem ; fear not, nor be dismayed ; to-morrow go out against them ; for the Lord will be with you.” Trusting in the promise of God, they went out against their enemies, not in warlike array, but singing praises to God. And through the influence of Divine Providence, these mighty armies, which had been collected from various warring nations to destroy the Jews, began the havock of battle by fighting against each other : “for every one helped to destroy another, and none escaped.” And so great was the multitude of slain that, “ when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil, they found among them in abundance, both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering the spoil.” Such was the success of the Jews when they put their trust in God, and not in an arm of flesh ; not in their own bravery and military skill, but in the protection of Divine Providence. JEHOR AM, the son and successor of Jehoshaphat, having married into the idolatrous family of Ahab, king of Israel, not only kept up the alliance which his father had formed with the house of Ahab, but openly associated with them in their idolatrous practices, which he carried to a great extent. His first act, after coming to the throne, was to slay all his brothers, and others also of the princes of Israel. By this act he gave a specimen of his character, and of the influence of that spirit by which he was led and governed. In short, “ he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord ;” therefore the Divine protection was withdrawn from him, and from his kingdom. Notwithstanding the numerous army which his father had possessed, and the strong fortress- es erected for the defence of the country ; yet those very nations which, without war, had voluntarily submitted to his father, and enriched him with their gifts, now turned against Jehoram, invaded his kingdom, and carried away all his treasures, together with his wives and his children, ex- cepting his youngest son. The king himself was soon after smitten with an incurable disease in his bowels ; and after languishing two years under this painful malady, he died. These successive disasters were all plainly and pointedly predicted by the prophet Elijah, in a letter to the king, and were the threatened judgments of God upon him, for his abominable idolatries and murders.* * 2 Chron, xsi, 12 — 15. 65 AMAZIAH, the son of Joash, began his reign with fair and promising appearances. His father, during his reign, and after the death of Jehoiadathe priest, had forsaken the law ; in consequence of which the country of Judea was invaded and overrun by the Syrians. But Amaziah, like other am- bitious rulers, did not learn wisdom from the fata] experience of his father’s disastrous fall ; but soon manifested that he possessed too much of the spirit of war to enjoy a happy and prosperous reign. He raised an army of three hundred thousand men to go against the Edomites. Not satisfied with this great army, he hired one hundred thousand more of the Israelites. These however, he afterwards dismissed, upon the admonition of a man of God. But while he was at war with the Edomites, the Israelites, who were offended at being sent home, fell upon the cities of Judah, slew three thousand people, and took much spoil. Altho Amaziah was victorious against the Edomites ; yet on his return, he foolishly brought home their gods with him, and set them up for his gods, and wor- shipped them. For this he was reproved by a prophet of the Lord, who said. “ Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people which could not deliver their own people out of thy hand?” This reproof offended Amaziah, and he threatened the prophet, who replied, “ I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.”* Amaziah’s heart being inflated with pride and ambition, in consequence of his recent victory, he was determined to indulge his disposition for war ; and therefore sought to pro- voke a quarrel with Joash, king of Israel, designing probably to avenge himself on the Israelites, for the mischief they had done his people in his absence.^ He therefore challenged the king of Israel to battle. But the king advised him to stay at home, and not meddle to his own hurt, lest he should fall, and Judah with him. But Amaziah being bent on war, rejected this salutary advice ; therefore a battle ensued, in which his army was defeated, and himself taken prisoner. The king of Israel then marched up to Jerusalem, with his royal prisoner, caused a breach of four hundred cubits to be made in the wall of the city, and marched in with his victorious army. He then seized all the gold and silver ves- sels and treasures of the temple, and the treasures of the * 2 Cliron. xxv. 15, 16. t Such consequences have often resulted from hired alliances among Christian nations. F 2 66 king’s palace, and talcing a number of hostages with him, he dismissed the king, and returned with a rich booty to Samaria. After this disgraceful defeat, Amaziah’s own people conspired against him, and took his life. Thus ended the career of this ambitious, haughty and idolatrous king of Judah ; another striking example of the corrupt tendency, and ruinous effects of the spirit and prac- tice of war, and its insufficiency to protect or defend a na- tion. UZZIAH r the son of Amaziah, came to the throne by the united voice of the people, at the age of sixteen. It appears that he was blessed and prospered, especially in the former part of his reign: for it is recorded that, “he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God : and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.” It appears that he did not make Avar without Divine approbation : for it is written that, “ God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians, and the Mehunims.” He was evidently raised up by Divine Providence, to execute judgment upon the sur- rounding nations, for their wickedness. He became famous, powerful and successful ; “ and his name spread far abroad ; for he Avas marvellously helped till he was strong. But when he was strong his heart was lifted up to his destruc- tion : for he transgressed against the Lord his God.” Like many other successful conquerors, his prosperity raised his pride and ambition, and led him to aspire after still greater power, and to assume a sacred authority Avhich did not belong to him. He had the presumption to assume the priest’s office, contrary to the divine lavr, and actually “ went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” For this sacrilegious act, God smote him with leprosy, and thus showed him that his own strength Avas but weakness, and his pride and ambition but folly and presumption. Instead of humbly and thankfully ascribing glory to God, for his success and prosperity, he took the honor to himself, and thus lost the favor and protection of God, was thrust out of the temple and excluded from the kingdom. He continued a leper to the day of his death ; and Jotham his eon took charge of the kingdom. The early prosperity, and final fate of Uzziah, ought to be a lesson of warning to proud and ambitious rulers, Avho in their exaltation, seem to forget that all power is of God, and that he is able to “ stain the pride of all flesh, and bring the haughtiness of man low.” And tho success may attend 67 them for a season, and tho they may assume to themselves the honor and glory, and arrogate the power of swaying the destiny of nations, instead of ascribing it to the superintending providence of God ; yet they will most certainly be brought, at last, to feel themselves abased by the hand of that Almighty Power whose providence they abuse, and be constrained to acknowledge that God alone is able “ to build up, and to pull down,” and can with equal ease, turn the battle in favor of whom he will, without regard to strength or numbers. If such was the fate of this Jewish conqueror, under a dispensation, and in an age, when wars were sometimes per- mitted and authorized by Divine Providence, how deplora- ble must be the folly of those rulers and nations who pre- sume to make war in their own strength, and according to their own wills ! But such is the spirit of war, in nations and rulers, and such the self confidence of warriors, after a successful campaign, that their hearts become inflated with pride, and they flatter themselves, and suffer others to flat- ter and eulogize their names, and emblazon their deeds, as tho their own power and skill had alone obtained the vic- tory.* AHAZ, the son of Jotham, succeeded his father in the kingdom of Judah. But his conduct was widely different from that of his father, who, it appears, shared the favor of Divine Providence, and had a prosperous reign ; “ because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.” But his son Ahaz, like the kings of Israel, gave himself up to idola- try, and practiced all the abominations of the heathen, “ whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. — Wherefore the Lord delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria ; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of captives ; — and he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all valiant men ; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.” In this terrible slaughter fell one of the king’s sons, and some of the principal officers of his government ; besides the loss sustain- ed in the captivity of his subjects, to the number of two hundred thousand, men, women and children. In addition to these calamities, the Edomites and Philis- tines successfully invaded the kingdom, and committed great depredations: “for the Lord brought Judah low, because of Ahaz ; for he transgressed against the Lord.” Ahaz, in his * Witness the pride, fall and acknowledgment of Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. ch. iv. 68 trouble, sent to the kings of Assyria for help, and took a portion of the treasures “out of the house of the Lord, and out the house of the king,' and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria. — And the king of Assyria came unto him and distressed him, but strengthened him not.” Having thus lost the Divine favor, neither his own armies, nor his hired allies, were of any avail to him. But all these calamities tended only to make Ahaz increase still more in his wickedness, and to become more and more impious, in his sacrilegious abominations against the Lord. This is the usual course of those who trust in an arm of flesh, instead of rely- ing upon Divine protection. In these reverses of fortune, we have a striking evidence that the protection and prosperity of that kingdom and people, did not depend on their strength of arms and valor in war. For these same enemies, during the reign of those kings who had kept the law, and placed their trust in God, had been kept in subjection ; and many of them who had risen against the Jews, had been defeated with great slaughter, and that too by forces far inferior to those which Ahaz at this time possessed. His father and grandfather had greatly strengthened the kingdom by strong fortifications ; and had made every necessary preparation for protection and defence. They had also a numerous and powerful army of valiant men, well armed and trained to war. Yet with all these advantages, in which kings boast and warriors place their confidence, Ahaz was brought to ruin, and his kingdom re- duced to the lowest ebb of disgrace. His valiant warriors could not save him. He had forsaken the Lord, and gone after other gods ; and the Lord had left him to the mercy of those nations in whose gods he had trusted ; and he was compelled to reap the reward of his own folly. Here too we have a striking proof that a nation, who by their impiety have lost the Divine favor, cannot be protected by military preparations and warlike defences, HEZEKIAH, the son of Ahaz, on ascending the throne, began a great reformation in his kingdom. He opened the doors of the house of the Lord, which had been shut up by his father, and repaired them ; and with great zeal, set him- self about restoring the true worship of God in Jerusalem, and throughout all his dominions . His people cheerfully com- plied with his orders, and destroyed the heathen altars and images, and put an end to the idolatrous worship which had been introduced under the reign of his father. In these reli- gious proceedings he was greatly blessed and prospered. 69 At length he was threatened, and his kingdom^ actually invaded by the king of Assyria, with a numerous and power- ful army. And tho he made great preparations for defence, accoi'ding to the custom of the times ; yet it appears that his greatest confidence was in the protection of Divine Power : for in his exhortation to his officers, whom he had appointed over the people, he said, “ Be strong and courageous ; be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that are with him ; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh ; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” After this the king of Assyria sent a very haughty and blasphemous message to Hezekiah and his people, boasting of what he had done to other nations, and threatening the like destruction to the Jews. On receiving this message, Hezekiah humbled himself before the Lord, and sent notice to Isaiah, who returned an encouraging answer, saying, “ Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of As- syria have blasphemed me. Behold I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land ; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” After this, the king of Assyria sent another insolent and boasting message to Hezekiah, arrogantly cautioning him not to let the God in whom he trusted deceive him with a hope of deliverance. “Behold” said he “thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroy- ing them utterly ; and shalt thou be delivered ?” On the re- ceipt of this message by letter, Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord, and in deep humiliation, besought the Lord that he would save him and his people from the hand of the king of Assyria, “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, and thou only.” His supplication was heard, and a promise given by the prophet Isaiah, that the king of Assyria should not come into the city , nor shoot an arrow there ; that he should return by the same way that he came. That same night, by a su- pernatural providence of God, one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army were destroyed. The king, with the remainder of his army, fled with precipitation to his own country, and (according to the account of Josephus) left his camp a spoil to the Jews. Soon after this he was slain in the temple of his god, by two of his OAvn sons.* * * 2 Kings xix. 2 Chron. xxxii. and Isaiah xxxvi* and xxxvii. 70 These remarkable dispensations of Divine Providence, in favor of the pacific king of Judah, Avho instead of relying omhis own great military power, put his trust in God, affords an- other very striking example to the advocates of war, of the superior wisdom and safety of relying on Divine protection, and trusting in him who rules the destinies of nations, and who can, with ease, subdue the most powerful foe, without the aid of armies or the weapons of war. MANASSEH, the son and successor of Hezekiah, not- withstanding the pious example of his father, and the warn- ings and admonitions of the prophets, threw off all depen- dence upon Divine Wisdom, and abandoned himself to all sorts of wickedness. He did more towards corrupting the people with idolatry than any of his predecessors had done. Josephus says, “ No impiety escaped him. — He began his reign with the contempt of God, and so proceeded to a bar- barous and bloody persecution of holy and good men, dipping his hands in the blood of the very prophets themselves : in- somuch that hardly a day passed without putting some one or other of them to death, so that the very streets of Jeru- salem ran blood.”* “ It is said he sawed the prophet Isaiah asunder with a wooden saw.”')' These things brought the judgments of God upon Manas- seh and his people, and laid the foundation for the conquest and captivity of the Jewish nation. And tho his father had been signally protected from the Assyrian army, by the hand of Divine Providence, because he trusted in God ; yet that same Divine Providence left this idolatrous son and succes- sor to fall into the hands of the Assyrians, and to be har- rassed and spoiled by his enemies. The armies of Assyria and Babylon invaded his kingdom, routed his troops, seized and bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon ; nor was it in his power, with all his military forces, to defend himself. “ And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him.” And it appears that, notwithstanding all his former wickedness, God heard his supplication, and through the dispensations of his providence, “ brought him again to Jerusalem, into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.” Thus it ap- pears that the arms of war could claim no honor in the days of Manasseh ; but all events were decided according to the direction of Divine Wisdom. Josephus, Ant. B. x. ch, iv. j Brown’s Diet, Bible, article JVIanasEch. 71 JOSIAH, the son of Amon and grandson of Manasseh, appears to have been the most pious of all the kings of Ju- dah. He labored with great zeal and assiduity, to purge out idolatry and reform his people ; and to turn the whole nation from those idolatrous practices, into which they had been so deeplyfplunged by the wickedness of his ancestors ; and to bring them back to the worship of the only true God. In this pious work he was greatly blessed and prospered, was much beloved by his people, and, for many years, en- joyed his kingdom in peace. But alas ! this pious prince, who had hitherto been greatly prospered with the blessings of peace, as the reward of his piety and virtue, was at length tempted to indulge the spirit of war, and that too without any divine authority or any just cause. In consequence of this rash step, he lost his own - life and hastened the destruction of his people. The king of Egypt, being upon an expedition against the king of As- syria, found it necessary to pass through the borders of Ju- dea. Without any right to interfere in the war between these two heathen nations, Josiah marched out against the Egyptian king, with a design to interrupt his progress and give him battle . The king of Egypt sent ambassadors to him , with -a pacific message, declaring that he had no intention of meddling with the Jews, but only wished to march his army through the borders of his country, against his own enemies, saying ; “I come not against thee this day, but against the house with which I have war.” Josiah paid no regard to Necho’s message, but disguised himself, and went out to fight with him, “ in the valley of Megiddo.” Here he was mortally wounded, and was car- ried back to Jerusalem, where he soon died Such was the fate of Josiah, who had rashly intermeddled in a war where he had no just concern. Had he been contented to stay at home, he might doubtless have enjoyed a long and happy reign, and died in peace. But such is the infatuating spirit of war, that, (as in the case of this hitherto good king,) the most virtuous lose their virtue thereby, and bring a curse upon themselves ; and it generally hastens the ruin of all that engage in it. After the death of Josiah, his successors in the kingdom, and the great body of the Jews, abandoned themselves to all manner of iniquity, corrupting themselves with idolatry, and all the debasing customs and manners of the heathen nations, wholly disregarding their own divine laws and the institu- tions of Moses. By these means they lost the protection 72 of God ; so that, notwithstanding all their strong fortifica- tions, and their powerful and valiant armies, they fell under the dominion of the king, of Babylon. But their pride, haughtiness and self-confidence, would not suffer them to humble themselves, and seek the favor and protection of Heaven, nor submit to the king of Babylon. Hence they formed an alliance with the king of Egypt, in the foolish expectation of being able, with his assistance, to free them- selves from the dominion of the Babylonians. Having formed this alliance, they made great military pre- parations, and defended themselves with much bravery ; but as they rejected the counsel of God by his prophets, and trusted in their own strength and bravery, and the expected assistance of their Egyptian allies, they were unable to with- stand their enemies. That same Divine Providence which had favored and protected their ancestors, who trusted in God, was now turned against them, and favored their ene- mies ; therefore they were defeated and totally overthrown. The city of Jerusalem, tho strongly fortified and bravely de- fended,* was taken and sacked ; the temple was rifled of its rich treasures and ornaments, and burnt to the ground ; the king’s palace, and all the principle buildings of the city, were also burnt ; the whole country laid waste, and all the principal inhabitants carried captive to Babylon. Here they were compelled to serve their enemies for the space of seventy years : after which Divine wisdom saw fit to effect their deliverance. REMARKS UPON THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS. Upon a careful and impartial review of the Jewish history, as recorded in the sacred scriptures, and in the books of Jo- sephus, their celebrated historian, we may learn the follow- ing important facts. First; that from the time the Jews were settled in the land of Canaan, to the time they ceased to exist as an inde- pendent nation, they were not involved in any disastrous wars, excepting when they had transgressed the Divine com- mands, and violated their own laws. Indeed, while they kept the law, they were seldom engaged in war, except by Divine authority ; and such wars always terminated in their favor and insured them the blessings of peace and prosperity. But when they indulged themselves in the spirit of war, and * See Josephus’ Antiquities, B. x. ch. viii. 73 went forth in their own strength, without any authority from God, they always suffered loss, and were involved in trouble. Second ; that their protection always depended on the fa- vor of Heaven, and not on the arms of war ; these being only the means sometimes permitted by Divine Providence, and not the cause of their protection. Third ; that whenever they were led and governed by that pride and ambition which always attends the spirit of war, they were inevitably humbled, and sooner or later, brought down by the hand of Divine Justice. And we have no hesitation in asserting that this always has proved, and always will prove, the final fate of all warring nations. As a further evidence that wars are not necessary in the order of Divine Providence, we may observe that the Jews were not delivered from the Babylonian captivity, by their military power, any more than their ancestors were from the bondage of Egypt. After seventy years captivity, agreeable to the predictions of the prophets, their deliverance was brought about by Divine influence. When Cyrus, the Per- sian king, by the special providence of God, had conquered the Babylonian empire, as the prophet Isaiah had predicted, he was directed by that same wise Providence, to let the captives go, “without money and without price.” By a royal proclamation, he directed the Jews to return to their own land, and to rebuild their temple and city, and restore the religion of their nation. During the continuance of the Persian empire, the Jews enjoyed a state of uninterrupted peace, except in a few in- stances, in which they brought war upon themselves by their own imprudence. It may indeed be said that they were under the dominion of the Persians, to whom they paid tri- bute. But they were by no means so oppressed by the Persian monarchs, as they afterwards were by their own kings ; and all the expense of this subjection to the .-Per- sians, was but a trifle in comparison to the expense and dangers of war. And it appears from their history, that they actually enjoyed more security, in person and property, under the Persian kings, than they afterwards did under their own : for while they kept the law, and were not go- verned by the spirit of war in their own bosoms, they were evidently favored by a superintending Providence. According to all the accounts we have of that nation, af- ter they returned from the Babylonian captivity, we rarely find that they were molested by an enemy, so long as they 74 kept clear of the quarrels of other nations, subjected them- selves to their own laws, and did not follow foreign customs. And if at any time they happened to be exposed to invasion, unless they brought it upon themselves, they had no occa- sion to resort to arms, so long as they put their trust in God ; for in such cases they never failed of obtaining Di- vine protection. Their whole history justifies this remark. The following remarkable instance of the interposition of Divine Providence, in favor of the Jews, is worthy of par- ticular notice. ALEXANDER THE GREAT, having by rapid march- es and unexampled success, defeated and entirely routed the armies of Darius, king of Persia, turned his course into Sy- ria, and laid siege to the strong city of Tyre. He sent word, at the same time, to Jaddus, the high-priest of the Jews, “ that he expected the same assistance from them, which they had before allowed to Darius, and that they should provide a market for the supply of his army, where he might have necessaries for his money ; assuring them that they should have no reason to repent the respect.” The answer returned by the high-priest was briefly this : “ That they had bound themselves by an oath to Darius, never to bear arms against him, and therefore could not assist him in men nor provisions, without violating their oath.” This answer so highly offended Alexander, that he threatened, after conquering Tyre, to march against the high-priest himself, and let him know how far oaths were to be broken or kept. In short, he was determined to make the Jews feel his vengeance. Accordingly, after conquering the Tyrians, he marched with his victorious army towards Jerusalem. This brought Jaddus and the Jews into great tribulation. But instead of preparing for war, the high-priest appointed public prayers and sacrifices to be offered up to God, for his Divine assist- ance and protection. Having put his trust in God, he was instructed in a dream what to do. Accordingly, upon the approach of Alexander towards the city, Jaddus marched out, unarmed, with the priests in their pontifical robes, and the people all dressed in white, to meet the conqueror. When Alexander saw this imposing sight, he was struck with awe. No powerful army in military array, had ever before so affected the feelings of this mighty conqueror. To see the high-priest in his sacred vestments, embroidered with gold, his mitre upon his head, and a golden plate upon his forehead, with the name of God engraven upon it, fol- 75 lowed by the priests in the sacred habits of their order, and the people all in white, was a spectacle so majestic and re- verend, and yet so pacific and heavenly, that this mighty monarch advanced with respect and reverence, bowed be- fore him, adored the sacred inscription on his forehead, and saluted the high-priest himself. His vengeful spirit was ar- rested, his conquering arm was stayed, and he who had ne- ver before bowed to kings, was now vanquished by the wise and pacific policy of a Jewish high-priest. The officers of his army were so surprised at Alexan- der’s conduct, that they could hardly believe him to be in his right mind. His friend Parmeniotook the liberty to ask him, in a familiar manner, “ How it came to pass that he, who was adored by the whole earth, should now descend to bow to a Jewish priest.” u No, said Alexander, I do not adore the man, but the God whom he serves.”* After this, the king embraced Jaddus, and was conducted into the city by the rest of the priests, where he went up to the temple and sacrificed in form, according to the high- priest’s direction, paying also a singular veneration to the high-priest himself. When this ceremony was finished, Jaddus showed the king the book of the prophet Daniel, and in it, the prediction of a certain Greek, in time to come, that should make himself master of the Persian empire ; which Alexander interpreted of himself. The next day the king called the Jews together, to know what request they had to make. The high-priest replied, that they only desi- red to enjoy the freedom of their own laws, and to be ex- empted from the seventh year’s tribute. This request was freely granted, not only in Judea, but to all the Jews in Ba- bylon and Media. Thus the high-priest, by putting his trust in God, and adopting a pacific policy, carried the Divine presence with him ; and it was the holy influence of this Divine presence, of which the sacred name in his forehead was a witness, that restrained the hostile power of this mighty monarch, and checked and turned his purpose. And thus this conqueror of conquerors, this most renowned warrior that had ever ap- peared on earth, was most effectually conquered without the arms of war, or any hostile array, and that too, by a people who had highly offended him, by refusing what he consider- ed a fair and reasonable request. Josep, Ant, b, xi f ch, viii, Sec also Rollin’s Anc, Hist. vol. v. sec. 7. 76 But their honesty and integrity secured the Divine favor ; and their pacific conduct wholly disarmed the foe, and secu- red the liberty and freedom of the nation. Whereas, had they resorted to arms and sustained a siege, they would un- doubtedly have been conquered, and their city and temple despoiled, and, in all probability, the conqueror would have wreaked his vengeance on their heads. All circumstances considered, this unarmed victory of the Jews over Alexan- der, was the greatest ever recorded in history. None of Alexander’s allies obtained such advantages as did the Jews. The Samaritans, who had violated their oath to Darius, and sent an army of eight thousand men to assist Alexander, and had done all in their power to obtain his favor, and ex- cite his enmity against the Jews, could not prevail on him to remit any part of the tribute exacted of them, nor even to pay them a visit.* The preceding event affords a serious and instructive les- son, both to the friends of peace and to the advocates of war. They may say the hand of Divine Providence overruled these transactions, and that the high-priest was divinely in- spired in the steps he took. This we readily admit ; and by the same Divine authority are men directed to “ over- come evil with good and they would be equally favored by the providence of God, were they equally subject. Let the ruler of any nation on earth, with his people, preserve the same rectitude of conduct, that the ruler and people of the Jews did, at that time, and then let them march out as they did, to meet any conqueror that ever was famed in arms, and we are confident that it would arrest his progress, over- come his hostile feelings, and turn the threatened carnage of war to peace and good will. In such a case none but infi- dels could distrust the protection of a superintending Provi- dence. It is opposition that excites the spirit of war. — Warriors fight for the bubble , honor, for noisy fame , for the imaginary glory of displaying their courage against those who oppose them. They well know that they could gain no honor — nothing but execration and disgrace, by faDing upon a virtuous, peaceable and defenceless people, whose national government makes no opposition. We feel confident that if Napoleon Bonaparte, during his victorious career through Europe, had been met by the ru- ler of any nation whatever, as the ruler of the Jews met * A late writer affects to discredit this account ; but we find no good authority in history, neither ancient nor modern, that in th« least invalidates iL 77 Alexander, it would have produced the same pacific result. But such is the pride and haughtiness of nations and rulers, that they would hazard the chance of war, with all its ex- penses, and all its devastation and slaughter, rather than to submit to what they consider an ignoble and degrading means of acquiring peace. But in truth it would be the most honorable step they could take, and one that would be most acceptable in the sight of God ; because they would by that means, not only save a vast expense of blood and treasure, but would also set an example of humility, peace and good will to man, that must inevitably subdue the de- structive and hostile spirit of war, and ultimately draw forth acknowledgments of praise and commendation from all good men. A few such examples among Christian nations, would soon put an end to all wars, and produce permanent peace throughout Christendom. After the death of Alexander, and the division of his em- pire, the kings of Egypt and Asia were almost continually at war ; and in their hostile expeditions they frequently pass- ed and repassed through the country of Judea. But ac- cording to Josephus and others, while the Jews remained peaceable, and did not interfere with their quarrels, they were marvellously protected, without the use of arms. On the contrary, whenever they took up arms on either side, they generally suffered severely for it. While they kept the Divine law, and conformed to the principles of justice and peace, they were remarkably blessed and prospered ; so that even the kings of the Gentiles honored and respected them, were subservient to them, and often enriched the temple with their best gifts ; but whenever they neglected their own sacred laws, and corrupted themselves with the profane customs and manners of the Greeks, and other hea- then nations, they became distracted with party divisions and dissensions, and involved themselves in the calamities of war with the surrounding nations. And if, in these conflicts, they were sometimes successful, their success on- ly served to exalt their pride and ambition, and was often succeeded by some terrible disaster. Their frequent broils and dissensions, towards the latter part of their national existence in Judea, brought them un- der the power and government of the Romans, who proba- bly never would have invaded their country, had they mind- ed their own business, and let other nations alone, according to the injunctions of their own laws. And even after they had, by their own misconduct, become the subjects and tri- G 2 78 butaries of the Roman empire, they might still have been protected in the peaceable enjoyment of their religion, had they been careful to walk in obedience to the Divine laws, and keep themselves unpolluted and undefiled with idolatry and heathenish abominations. For it is evident, that while they did maintain their integrity, and walk in uprightness, they were divinely protected and blessed, in many instances ; two of which we will here mention. PONTIUS PILATE, a Roman general, having been appointed governor of Judea, marched his army into Jeru- salem, and set up the Roman standards, which had Caesar’s likeness upon them. This being contrary to the Jewish re- ligion, they requested Pilate to remove them out of the city ; as their laws did not allow any sort of image or likeness to be brought into the city ; and this being the first instance of a Roman governor’s violating their religion in that manner, they considered it an indication that their laws were to be trodden under foot. But upon Pilate’s refusing to grant their request, they fell prostrate on the ground before him, and earnestly besought him, for the space of five successive days, to grant their request. On the sixth day he placed himself on his tribunal, in the market place, and called the Jews before him, to give them an answer ; having previously arranged his soldiers so as to have them surround the petitioners, they were in readiness to fall upon them whenever he should give the signal. He then told them that unless they would consent to let these ensigns remain in the city, and leave oft' disturbing him about them, they should immediately be cut in pieces, and gave a signal for his soldiers to draw their swords. Upon this the petitioners immediately threw themselves upon the ground, made bare their necks, and cried out, that they would sooner be slain than have their sacred laws violated. This firm resolution of the Jews so astonished Pilate, that he gave orders for the ensigns to be carried immediately out of Jerusalem.* This was a victory more honorable to the courage of the Jews, and to every principle of virtue, than was ever achiev- ed by arms. And here we would ask the advocates of war, Whether it is reasonable to believe that the Jews would have gained their point, had they attempted to oppose Pi- late by force of arms ? The proud and haughty advocate of war will perhaps say, the Jews degraded themselves by * Jewish Ant. b. xviii. ch. iii. and Jewish Wars, b. ii. ch. ix. 79 doing as they did ; that it would have been more honorable to their courage to have defended their religious principles by the sword. But every reasonable and judicious person will agree with us, that the Jews were the real conquerors in this case, and came off with much more honor than did the Roman governor. Yet he acted much more honorably than he would have done had he persevered in his intentions, and massacred the Jews for the sake of carrying his point. But we feel confident that, under similar circumstances, such a horrid massacre could never have been committed. Again : CAIUS CALIGULA having succeeded to the empire of Rome, set himself up as a god ; and being informed that while all other nations which were subject to the Romans, in obedience to his orders, had built altars and temples to him, the Jews alone refused to do him that honor. He was therefore highly offended at their obstinacy ; and sent orders to Petronius, governor of Syria, to march an army into Ju- dea, and set up his statue in the temple at Jerusalem ; and in case the Jews would not consent to it, to put all who op- posed it to the sword ; and carry all the rest of the nation into captivity. Accordingly Petronius marched into 'Judea, with a large army of Roman soldiers, and many Syrian auxiliaries, and encamped in Gallilee. When this was known to the Jews, instead of preparing to defend their rights by war, many thousands of them came forward, and petitioned Petronius not to compel them to violate the laws of their country, and dishonor their religion . Petronius was greatly confound- ed with these earnest supplications ; but he proceeded on towards Jerusalem, as far as Tiberius. There also many thousands came out with the same earnest supplications ; and thus he was met and petitioned, day after day, from all quarters. At length he summoned together the men of note among the Jews, and undertook to reason with them on the sub- ject; and to lay before them the great power of the Ro- mans, and the threatenings of Caesar ; and endeavored to convince them that their petitions were unreasonable ; that while all the nations subject to the Romans had placed the images of Caesar in their cities and temples, among the rest of their gods, for them alone to oppose it, was inconsistent with their own welfare, and would expose them to ruin. The Jews still urged the sacred injunctions of their reli- gion ; that it did not allow them to make any image of God 80 or man, nor to set one up in any part of their country ; much less in the holy temple itself. And they felt them- selves bound by the sacred law of God, and would rather give up their lives than consent to it. Petronius replied, that he was bound to obey the com- mands of Caesar ; and that by granting their request, he should forfeit his own life, and they would involve them- selves in a war which would end in their destruction. They replied, that they would by no means make war with Cae- sar ; but they were ready to expose themselves, their wives and children, to be slain rather than transgress the law of God. They then threw themselves down upon the ground, made bare their necks, and said they were ready to be slain. This inflexible resolution to give up their lives, as a vo- luntary sacrifice to the sword of the Romans, rather than give their consent to the violation of the sacred law of God, so affected the governor’s feelings, that he was induced, at the risk of his own life, to yield to their intreaties, and not pollute their temple with Caesar’s statue. He agreed to write to Caesar, and endeavor to prevail on him to reverse his orders ; being resolved, in case he could not succeed, to hazard his own life for their sake, rather than be instrumen- tal of violating the laws, and destroying the lives of a peo- ple of such inflexible virtue. Accordingly he drew off his army, and wrote to Caesar, stating these circumstances ; and urged the necessity of relaxing his severity against a people whose religion was dearer to them than their lives ; and re- quested that he would countermand his former injunctions ; unless he was willing to risk the loss of a whole nation, and their country. On the receipt of this letter, Caius was in a rage ; and gave orders for Petronius to become his own executioner. But Divine Providence interposed, and soon executed a more just decree, by cutting short the life of this haughty and cruel tyrant. And the fatal order against Petronius, being retarded by a long and violent storm at sea, did not arrive till after the news of Caesar’s death was published : of course it came too late to be executed. Thus did the Providence of God prepare a way to save the Jews, and preserve the life of the governor, who had so kindly and magnanimously interceded in their behalf, at the imminent hazard of his own life.* Here again we may see the pow- erful and salutary effects of pacific principles, and the cer- * Jewish Ant. b. xviii ch. viii. and Jewish Wars, b. il. ch. i. 81 tain safety of punctual obedience to the Divine law. Such effects would never have been produced, nor such honor gained by a foolish reliance on an arm of flesh, at the ha- zard of offending God. This virtuous constancy of the Jews reflects the highest honor upon their courage. Where shall we find an act so honorable to the courage of warriors ? Could any exploit of war effect a conquest so truly heroic ? Behold this high- minded Roman governor, clothed with the haughty and pe- remptory mandates of the mighty sovereign of Rome, and surrounded by his numerous warring legions, glorying in their invincible power and dominion over the nations ; yet so effectually conquered by the pacific, but inflexible inte- grity of an unarmed people ; and his friendship so complete- ly secured, that he was ready to yield up his own life for their sakes ! Such are the meritorious advantages to be gain- ed by pacific principles ; and such an honorable conquest as this never was, and never can be effected by war. WAR BETWEEN THE JEWS & ROMANS. When the Jews, through their own dissensions and poli- tical disorders, afterwards involved their nation in a war with the Romans, and provoked the Roman government to send an army against Jerusalem , Josephus constantly endeavored to prevail on his countrymen to accept the oflers of peace, which the Roman general made them, and which they might then have obtained on reasonable terms, had it not been for their own obstinacy. Josephus, in one of his speeches, reminding the Jews how God had formerly protected their nation, while they put their trust in him, and conformed to his law, has these remarkable expressions : “ We can produce no example wherein our fathers got any success by war, or failed of success, when without war they committed themselves to God.”* This testimony from that “learned historian and celebrated warrior,” of the Jewish nation, is well worthy of the consideration of modern warriors ; and more espe- cially, as it comes from an anoient and skilful warrior of the very nation which our modern Christian warriors profess to take as an example of justification in going to war. Let no professed Christian, after reading this sentence, plead the policy or lawfulness of war. * Jewish Wars, b. v, ch. ix. 82 When Jesus Christ appeared on earth, and published the glad tidings of peace and salvation, the Jews rejected him and his doctrine : it was too pacific and virtuous, and breathed too much of the spirit of “ peace and good will,” to meet the approbation of a people so greatly given to strife and contention. They could not be persuaded to re- nounce the practice of rendering evil for evil ; they chose rather to put their trust in an arm of flesh, and brandish the sw'ord of war against their enemies. Hence their for- midable objection against the doctrine of the Savior ; “ If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” Here is a powerful evidence, that these contentious Jews well knew the pacific nature and tendency of his doctrine, and that those who believed on him, conformed to his doc- trine, and followed his example, would not bear the arms of war, nor have any thing to do with their hostile conduct towards the Romans, which at that period began to show itself. “ If all the Jews should embrace the pacific prin- ciples of this man, we should have no soldiers to fight the Romans, and they would come and conquer us all, and seize upon our country, and carry us all into captivity.” — This was the real import of their language, and apparently the foundation of their objection : for if the followers of Christ had been ready and willing to unite with them, in their contentions and hostilities, they could have had no kind of foundation for any objections of that nature. But in or- der to prevent the apprehended danger that was likely to arise from such principles, these lovers of war and promoters of dissension, were determined to arrest this preacher of “ peace and good will,” and to put an effectual stop to the progress of his dangerous doctrines. Accordingly they had him taken and crucified between two thieves ; intending thereby to degrade him and his doc- trines, in a manner that should prevent any further increase or dissemination thereof. This execution was succeeded by a continual train of persecutions against his followers, as long as they continued in obedience to his precepts, and abstain- ed from war. But did the Jews thereby prevent the Romans from bring- ing destruction upon their “ place and nation ?” Did it not rather prove the very cause of the calamity which they pre- tended so greatly to fear ? Jerusalem was, at that time, fill- ed with all sorts of pollution, and deeply sunk in wicked- 83 ness. Seditions, contentions and murders extensively pre- vailed in every part of the city, and every kind of abomina- tion was committed in it. Even the sacred temple itself, was shamefully polluted with the blood of its citizens. Jesus Christ, before his crucifixion, wept over the city, and foretold its destruction ; because they rejected the things that belonged to their peace ; nor was it in the power of the na- tion, with all the strength of their fortifications, their nu- merous armies and warlike preparations, to avert the awful calamities which came upon them. As they were governed by the spirit of war, they were al- most continually quarrelling among themselves, or contend- ing with the Romans. Had the Jews been united in heart and hand, perhaps no city on earth was ever better provid- ed with the means of defence, or better prepared to sustain a siege against the enemy, than Jerusalem was at the com- mencement of their war with the Romans. But the judg- ments of God were upon them, and their own contentions and animosities, which were the effect of their war spirit, proved more destructive to them than the Roman armies. They were brave indeed, so far as bravery consists in the spirit of contention and warfare ; but this bravery was much more conspicuous and severe against each other, than it was against the Romans ; and it finally led to the total destruction of their far famed city and its glorious temple. These the Romans themselves would gladly have preserved ; but such was the obstinacy of the Jews, and such their confidence in their own strength and bravery, even while torn by contending factions, and distracted with internal feuds and animosities ; and while at the same time they were perishing by the severest famine that ever afflicted any nation ; that rather than yield to the mercy of the Romans, which was constantly extended towards them, from the beginning, they suffered themselves and their city to be destroyed by the most horrid calamities ever ex- perienced by any nation on earth. Thus this stubborn, proud and haughty nation with all their military preparations and personal bravery, could not defend themselves, nor save their city and nation from ruin. They trusted in their own strength for salvation, while the hand of God was against them ; therefore they could not prosper. After the country of Judea had been laid waste by the Romans, and the city and temple of Jerusalem utterly de- stroyed, in which, according to the account of Josephus, 84 eleven hundred thousand of the Jews perished by the sword, famine and pestilence, it appears that the fortress of Massada still remained unsubdued. This fortress, which was not far from Jerusalem, was built upon the lofty summit of a vast rock, rendered almost inaccessible by nature, and so strongly fortified by art, that it seemed impossible for any army to subdue it. It contained large stores of provisions of various kinds, sufficient to supply the garrison for a long period of time, and weapons of war of every description, sufficient for an army of ten thousand men. It was com- manded by a bold and daring warrior, named Eleazar ; and altho it was bravely defended ; yet by the skill and per- severing activity of the Romans, in planning and preparing the means of ascending this rocky mountain, and attacking the fortress, in which they were signally favored by Divine Providence, all these difficulties were soon surmounted, the engines erected, and the massy walls of the fortress shiv- ered by a large and powerful battering ram. This greatly alarmed the garrison, who, after all their ef- forts to frustrate the enemy’s design, saw the danger to which they were exposed, and dreaded the consequences cf faffing into the hands of the Romans. In this alarming crisis, Elea- zer exhorted his soldiers to fall by their own swords, rather than to be taken by the enemy, and by them be abused and slain. In his speech to them he says, “ It had been proper indeed for us to have conjectured at the purpose of God much sooner, — and to have been sensible that the same God who had of old taken the Jewish nation into his favor, had now condemned them to destruction. For had he continued favorable to us, he would not have overlooked the destruc- tion of so many men, nor delivered his most holy city to be burnt and demolished by our enemies.” After a lengthy speech, in which he acknowledges their pride and obstinacy in vainly contending against the Ro- mans after being forsaken of God, the work of slaughter commenced, and nine hundred and sixty Jews, consisting of men, women and children, fell by their own hands, or rather by the hands of those chosen by lot to execute the bloody deed, the last of whom plunged the sword through his own body. All these were found lying in heaps, and weltering in their own blood, when the Romans entered the place. Seven persons only, two women and five children, escaped this massacre by concealing themselves in one of the subter- ranean caverns of the fortress. 85 From an impartial review of the history of the Jewish nation, we are fully convinced of the following facts : 1st. That when they were careful to cultivate the spirit of peace and righteousness, and to walk in the paths of justice and truth, they were seldom molested by their enemies. 2d. That if such an event did sometimes take place ; yet while they put their trust in God, and not in an arm of flesh, they were always protected by the hand of Divine Power, and not by the arms of war. 3d. That the spirit of war and contention always brought disgrace upon them, whenever they engaged in it without Divine authority ; and that spirit was the leading cause of the many disasters which they met with from their enemies, and the direct means of their final destruction as an independent nation. But notwithstanding all that can be said, respecting the overruling hand of Providence towards the Jews, many will doubtless argue, that the Jews, being God’s peculiar cove- nant people, were therefore the special objects of his notice, both under the prosperous and adverse dispensations of his providence ; and that we are not to look for such miraculous displays of Providence in this age of the world, nor to expect any Divine interposition in the political concerns of nations : That being now favored with greater light, and higher de- grees of civilization, they are leftto pursue their own policy, according to their own wisdom ; and therefore must depend on their own national energies for defence, and be always prepared for war, as the only sure means of maintaining their national rights and preserving peace. But the fallacy of these arguments will appear very obvi- ous when contrasted with historical facts. We shall there- fore proceed in our next discourse, to examine the effects of pacific principles, and produce some striking examples where- in they have been fairly proved, and see what instruction can be drawn from them. H PART III PACIFIC PRINCIPLES AND FAIR DEALING THE BEST PROTEC- TION, AND THE ONLY WISE POLICY OF A NATION. The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. — Great peace have they that love thy law, and noth- ing shall offend them. Psa. xxxvii. 11. and cxix. 165. Blessed are the peace-makers; forthey shall be called the children of God. Matt. v. 9. PEACE ESSENTIAL TO CHRISTIANITY. Peace is an essential doctrine of Christianity ; but war is directly opposed to that doctrine : hence, wherever war ex- ists there can be no Christianity. Jesus Christ was styled the Prince of Peace, by prophetic inspiration, many ages before he appeared on earth ; and his birth was ushered in by the song of angels, proclaiming “ Peace on earth, and good will towards men.” All his doctrines were the doctrines of peace ; his whole life was spent in ministering peace and good will, both by precept and example ; and his last gift to his dis- ciples was a gift of peace. “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”* Hence no true follower of Christ can take upon him the profession of arms, without forfeiting his title to the Kingdom of Heaven, and all his claims to Christianity. War belongs to “the prince of this world;” but the Kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of peace. The doctrine of Christ never did, and never can admit of the principles of war. It is an indisputable fact, that in the days of primitive Christianity, no such character as a warring Christian was known. This has been abundantly proved by various Christian writers, both ancient, and modern. Those who wish to see the evidence of ancient writers on this subject, may find a sufficient number of quotations from them in Clarkson’s Portraiture of Quakerism , volume 3d, chapter 3d ; also in Lardner’s Jewish and Heathen Testimonies- Clarkson, after producing a number of testimonies from an- cient writers, to prove that the early Christians refused to bear arms, when called upon for that purpose, because it was contrary to the religion of Christ, some of whom suffer- ed death in consequence of their refusal, makes the follow- ing very just remarks. “ It may be considered as a well founded proposition, that, as the lamp of Christianity burnt bright in those early * John xiv. 27. 87 times, so those who were illuminated by it, declined the military profession ; and that, as its -flame shone less clear, they had less objection to it. Thus, in the two first centu- ries, when Christianity was the purest, there were no Chris- tian soldiers. In the third century, when it became less pure, there is frequent mention of such soldiers. And in the fourth, when its corruption was fixed, Christians enter- ed upon the profession of arms with as little hesitation as they entered upon any other occupation in life.”* Every reasonable and candid professor of the Christian religion, will undoubtedly acknowledge, that the gospel of Christ breathes “ peace and good will to man and that the very object of this gospel is, to subdue the ferocious and wicked passions of man, and bring them into subjection to the law of Christ. Therefore the advocates of war must either vindicate its necessity, upon the supposition that the gospel is not adequate to the purpose for which it was given, or confess that they violate its precepts. In maintaining the former opinion, they dishonor God and deny Christ, by denying the efficacy of his gospel. In admitting the latter, they dishonor themselves, as believers in the -gospel, by act- ing in direct opposition to its conciliating precepts. Wars will doubtless continue as long as nations and ru- lers continue to maintain that kind of policy which, in its nature, is calculated to promote the spirit of war. That policy requires a military attitude, and a constant prepara- tion for war. It also requires, in case of dispute between two nations, a dignified, or rather an arrogant spirit and tone of language, or what high-minded politicians consider as an honorable and independent attitude in negotiation, lest the nation should appear to betray weakness, or fear. Such an attitude on the part of one nation, naturally produces the same attitude and tone of language in the opposite party. And in proportion as each nation considers itself prepared to maintain its supposed rights at the point of the sword ; so the tone and language of each becomes more unyielding and peremptory, and terms of accommodation are thrown at a greater distance, till exasperation commences, and actual hostilities ensue. These are the natural, and we will ven- ture to say, almost unavoidable consequences of that kind of worldly policy which is so much approved, and so high- ly esteemed by nations and rulers, who cherish and maintain the principles of war, as the only safe protection of a nation. * Cltu-kson, vol iii, ch. 3. sec, 4. 88 This kind of policy has been sufficiently proved to con- vince any candid and rational mind, that it can never suc- ceed in promoting peace and harmony between nations, any more than between societies and individuals in private life ; and every observing person has seen enough of the effects of a haughty, self-sufficient, and unyielding temper and spirit, in private life, to know its natural tendency. The happifying spirit of peace enjoins upon us, and upon all who claim any relation to the Prince of peace, or any interest in his gospel, a policy very different from the above described policy of the world. It enjoins the heaven-bom policy of the gospel ; — that policy which Jesus Christ taught when he said, “Blessed are the peace- makers ; for they shall be called the Children of God.” It enjoins meekness, patience, forbearance, moderation and love ; with a careful regard to the principles of justice and equity on both sides. Were this kind of policy carefully observed, and punctu- ally maintained between nations, and all hostile preparations laid aside, wars would soon become unpopular, and of course, would be abolished ; not merely as needless, but as ruinous to the happiness and prosperity of a nation. They would then appear odious and disgusting to the reflections and feelings of every wise and honest statesman ; and na- tional rulers might be able to realize a felicity to them un- known before ; namely, that exalted felicity which arises from a conciousness of preserving and extending the bless- ings of peace and happiness to their people, by every lawful means in their power. This would bring greater honor upon nations and rulers, than all they could possibly gain in a thousand wars. Some will doubtless be ready to express their fears and apprehensions of hostilities on the part of other nations : their language is, “ If we should cease from war, and from all defensive preparations, we should be exposed to the evil designs of our adversaries, who would take advantage of our defenceless state, and “ come and take away our place and nation.” This was the fear of the old Jews, at the first promulgation of the gospel of peace, by Jesus Christ him- self ; and the same fear has been handed down, from genera- tion to generation, even to this day. But what sort of fear is this ? Certainly it is not a fear which arises from true cou- rage and confidence in the gospel of Christ. We can call it nothing but that cowardly fear which springs from conscious guilt, such as that which “makes the devils tremble”; a fear which finds no place in a justified conscience ; but 89 is very often found among the advocates of war : hence their reasons for maintaining a warlike attitude. To such we might justly say with the celebrated Roman poet ; Degeneres animos tbnor arguit.* But the ready answer of the peace-loving Christian is r We should have no adversaries ; of course, no evil designs could be formed against those who have no adversaries. The fair and open practice of pacific principles, would soon disarm even the most savage nations ; as was fairly proved by William Penn and his colony of Quakers, in the first settlement of Pennsylvania. Pursuant to our design on this subject, we shall proceed to show the beneficial influence of pacific principles ; and how far they have tended to promote the happiness and pros- perity of mankind, and been the means of protecting those who have been governed thereby, from the evils incident to a state of war. We shall begin with THE CHINESE EMPIRE. According to the best accounts, it appears that this empire rose about the same time with those of Babylon and Assy- ria. It also appears that the Chinese, from their earliest rise, have maintained a more pacific policy than any other nation known in history. This is undoubtedly the cause of the long duration of that empire, and of its unexampled prosperity and numerous population. While all other na- tions of antiquity have been blotted out from under heaven, this alone has been preserved in existence. True it is that the Chinese have not fully maintained the principles of peace through this long period of their national existence, but have occasionally taken up arms for self-de- fence. Hence they have not been wholly divested of the spirit of war, which has occasionally been excited between them and other nations, and produced invasions and revolu- tions among themselves. But as their leading policy has been much more pacific than that of other nations ; so they have been comparatively more blessed and prospered, and been less afflicted by wars and hostile commotions than oth- er nations. Doubtless the very limited intercourse they have ever maintained with other nations, and especially with the warring nations of Europe, has been very favorable to their pacific policy. * Fear argues a degenerate mind. H 2 90 It is said that the Chinese cautiously avoid political alli- ances, and even commercial treaties with foreign nations, lest they should thereby become entangled and corrupted with their customs and manners, which might eventually in- volve their nation in the calamities of war. Their com- mercial policy merely admits trading nations to enter their ports and trade, so long as they will be subject to their com- mercial regulations. They have sometimes brought pow- erful nations to their terms, and dissolved the powerful ar- maments of haughty warring nations, without any hostili- ties. A nation that is able to accomplish deeds like these, by pacific means, is able to teach the advocates of war a les- son of wisdom which they never can learn in the science of war ; and by which they may obtain a more noble victory than was ever obtained by Alexander the great or Napoleon Bonaparte. Had the Chinese supported the same hostile principles, which were maintained by those ancient nations who were their cotemporaries, there can be no doubt that, long ere this time, they would have ceased to exist as a nation. Perhaps no country on earth could be more inviting, or promise a richer harvest to the conquerer. To what then can we attribute their long existence, and their protection from in- vasion and conquest, but to their pacific policy ? And it ap- pears that their prosperity, peace and happiness, have been proportionate to their pacific principles ; and on the other hand, that their national affliction and adversity have nearly corresponded, in extent and degree, with their indulgence of the principles of war. They were indeed once conquered by the Tartars ; but it appears that this unfortunate event happened in conse- quence (and a very natural consequence it was) of their suffering the spirit of war to spring uptn the nation, which produced a rebellion in their own bowels. But after return- ing to their pacific habits again, they obtained a more im- portant and a more honorable conquest over the Tartars, by inducing them to embrace the Chinese customs and manners, and to blend Tartary with the Chinese empire. But had they invariably maintained their pacific principles, and made no provision for war, they would undoubtedly have enjoy- ed a far greater degree of happiness and prosperity. As a further illustration of the good effects of pacific prin- ciples upon the people of any society, state or government, and more especially when displayed by the rulers of a nation, we shall introduce, the examples of two ancient rulers of 91 Rome, the one a king, and the other an emperor, who, at different periods, governed that nation according to these principles. The first of these was NUMA POMPILIUS. Romulus, who gave name to the city of Rome, and was called its founder, was, at the commencement of his career, the chief of a band of robbers. He was bold, courageous and successful in his depredations on the property of others ; and thereby accumulated considerable riches, increased his reputation as a successful leader, and laid the foundation of the Roman empire. At his death he left it greatly em- broiled with the neighboring nations. Numa Pompilius was called by the people, to take the government of the state, as their king. He at first declined the offer, “alleging that his love of peace and retirement disqualified him for reigning over a people who delighted in war. ” The people, however, persisted in their solicitations ; and Numa was finally induced to acquiesce, and take upon him the regal government. “ Kuma’s natural disposition for moderation, probity and justice, had been strengthened by aproper education. Early inured to industry and labor, and extremely averse to ambi- tion and violence, he infused the same sentiments into the minds of his subjects. By his wisdom, he first allayed the internal dissensions that had previously existed among the Romans ; and then formed such regulations as might pre- serve peace, and cause justice to flourish. He very judi- ciously began by dismissing the three hundred celeres, form- ed by Romulus, as a guard to attend the king ; not wish- ing to reign over a people he distrusted, and thinking it im- proper to distrust a people who had compelled him to reign over them.” “ He acknowledged a first principle of all things, who is invisible, incorruptible, and purely intelligent ; and for this reason forbade the Romans to represent God in the form of man or beast. He dedicated himself (says Livy) entirely to the service of the citizens and strangers, to whom he was counsellor, arbiter and judge. All formed their manners by those of the king, whom they took for their sole pattern. Hence the nations about him, who had before considered Rome more like a camp than a city, conceived such a rev- erence for them, that they would have thought it a sort of impiety, to attack a people wholly intent on serving God and 92 making men happy.” Thus he not only quieted the dissen- sions that previously existed among the Romans, and dis- armed them of their hostile principles ; but by his pacific policy, he also subdued the hostile spirit of the neighboring nations, and by this means greatly increased the power and influence of the state and nation. It appears that he did not merely conquer the hostile power of his enemies ; but ef- fected a conquest over their minds, and made them his friends. This is a conquest which war could never obtain. “ A wonderful change of manners also prevailed in the neighboring cities : as if Numa’s wisdom had been a plen- tiful fountain, from which the streams of virtue and justice had flowed into the minds of the people. Instead of mar- tial ardor, an eager desire to live in peace, to cultivate their lands, and thus to bring up their children, infused into their minds the same tranquillity which reigned in his own. He became the arbiter of all the differences among the neigh- boring nations ; and as to the Romans themselves, it might be literally said, that the weapons of war were changed into instruments of husbandry. No intestine seditions, no ambi- tious desires for the throne, nor so much as any murmurs against the person or administration of the king, appeared among them.” Thus it appears that Numa effected a far greater conquest, solely by the principles of peace and justice, than Romulus ever had done by the force of arms ; and he also proved a much more powerful protector to the Roman people than Romulus ever was, with all his bravery, military talents and power. It appears also that Numa’s wisdom and pa- cific principles wrought a wonderful change among his neighbors, who, instead of displaying a martial ambition, and seeking foreign conquests, showed a greater desire of cultivating peace and managing their affairs at home. Such effects as these could never be produced by war ; on the contrary, war is the very source of all the evils which Nu- ma here remedied or prevented, by a pacific policy, and the wise and powerful principles and practice of justice, equity and peace. Romulus, at his death, left many dissensions among his people, having many enemies at home, and all the neighbor- ing nations and cities at enmity with him, and with the Ro- mans. Numa, it appears, died without an enemy at home or abroad. The Romans “ lamented him as sincerely as if every man had lost his own father ; and the concourse of strangers at Rome, to celebrate his obsequies, was exceeds 93 iiigly great.” Romulus lived in perils and dangers, sur- rounded by enemies at home and abroad, and at his death, many of his own people, and doubtless most of his neigh- bors, rejoiced. Numa enjoyed peace and happiness in his own dominions, was beloved and respected by all his peo- ple, to whom he gave law without violence, dispensing jus- tice to all around him. In this manner he gained the re- spect and admiration of the neighboring nations, who were all conquered, by his pacific and upright conduct, into a last- ing friendship with him. He began his reign about 715 years before the birth of Christ, and reigned forty- three years. Who can view, with an impartial eye, the opposite cha- racters of these two ancient kings of Rome, without giving the latter a decided preference, both as to the exalted digni- ty of his character, and the superior wisdom of his govern- ment ? Can any man, under the free exercise of his ra- tional faculties, hesitate, for a moment, which of these two characters he would prefer as a model for imitation ? ANTONINUS PIUS. After the Roman empire had passed through ages of dis- sension, war and violence, and had but just passed the ze- nith of her military glory, the same happy effects that had been produced in the early period of her history, under the wise and pacific administration of Numa Pompilius, were again produced by the same means, under the administration of the emperor Titus Antoninus, commonly called Antoni- nus Pius. The goodness of this emperor was so great, that it was said he had outdone all example. He had no war during his reign, which continued nearly twenty-three years. “ He is compared to Numa on account of his virtues, his love of religion and peace, his justice and clemency. — It was his favorite maxim, that ‘ he, would rather save the life of one citizen, than put to death a thousand enemies.’ And it is stated as a remarkable fact, that princes referred their controversies to his decision.”* He began his reign about 138 years after Christ, and reigned twenty-two years and eight months. Thus it appears, that after the Romans had considered themselves the conquerors and masters of the world ; and after ages of war and violence had raised the ambition of the nation to aspire after military fame, as the greatest glo- * Clarkson. 94 ry of the empire, and the most honorable pursuit of its citi- zens ; one virtuous and pacific ruler, by the powerful influ- ence of the principles of peace and justice, had the good fortune to turn the current of national prejudice to the side of peace, and quell the hostile spirit of war, which had been so long nourished and strengthened as the great protecting deity of the nation. And yet the peace and safety of the nation were so far from being endangered, or its power and influence lessened by these means, that the latter were more increased, and the former better secured, than they possibly could have been by war. For the pacific principles and conduct of Antoninus produced their natural effects, and cau- sed him to be so highly respected by the surrounding na- tions, that he became the judge and arbiter of their contro- versies. Thus he effected a greater conquest, and obtained greater power, than was ever obtained by war. Thus have we given a short sketch of the pacific admi- nistration of two rulers-of ancient Rome, and of the effects they produced on the Roman people and the neighboring na- tions. By displaying the principles of peace and justice, and putting these principles into successful operation, they obtained a far greater and more glorious conquest than was ever obtained by all the fighting emperors, kings and heroes that Rome ever produced. And let it he ever remembered, that the government of these pacific rulers afforded a greater security against invasion, and a more effectual protection to the lives of their subjects, than all the military preparations that ever were made by that nation. Let it also be remem- bered, that altho more than eight hundred years distant, as to time ; yet the same principles produced the same effects. Here we would seriously and respectfully invite the ru- lers of nations to look at these two sovereigns of ancient Rome, and let them talk no more about the impossibility of maintaining peace, or of defending a nation without arms ; let them consider that any nation, under the administration of just and peaceable rulers, may not only be protected from their enemies, but may secure the favor and friendship of all other nations. Let them no longer cast the blame of war upon any principle inherent in human nature, but upon their own mis-improvement of those rational faculties which God has given them. Let every civil government, and every na- tional ruler follow the wise and pacific examples of Numa and Antoninus, and national wars, and hostile fleets and ar- mies, will no longer be known upon the earth- 95 What a disgrace to the Christian name, that those ancient sovereigns, who by Christian professors are called pagans, should set an example of peace more worthy of the religion of Christ, who is the Prince of peace, than was ever re- corded of any Christian prince or sovereign on earth ! Is it not high time for those who name the name of Christ, to wipe off this foul stain from their religion, or talk no more about a benign gospel ? The powerful influence of the divine spirit of peace, in restraining and subduing the ferocious passions of man, in securing the blessings of peace, in promoting the happiness and prosperity of nations, and preserving the rights and privileges of societies and individuals, is far more efficacious than all the formidable preparations, and refined arts of hos- tility, that the spirit and policy of war ever did, or ever can produce. This is fully confirmed by actual experiments, made by pacific rulers and eminent philanthropists, in dif- ferent states and nations, in various ages of the world, and in various grades of society, both in civilized and savage life. If the divine influence of pacific principles could quell the horrid monster of war, in the fighting legions of ancient Rome, in its almost barbarous state of society, and produce a period of happiness and prosperity under Numa Pompilius ; and if the same divine influence could prevail over that mighty em- pire, under Antoninus Pius, when in its highest state of re- finement in arts and arms, when martial skill and ambition were counted the highest honor and glory, when the nation was proud and jealous of its rights, and when its gigantic power and military fame were extensively known and dread- ed ; why should not the same influence produce the same effects at this day ? That it can , has already been sufficient- ly proved. The same pacific spirit has manifested, in these latter ages, its superior influence over the savage tribes of this western world, and produced the same happy effects under the just and equitable administration of the celebrated William Penn. WILLIAM PENN.* This justly renowned Friend and philanthropist, the first lawgiver of Pennsylvania, and founder of Philadelphia, was the son and only child of Admiral Penn, of the royal navy * The substance of the following account is mostly taken from Weems’s Life of William Penn , and Clarkson’s Portraiture of Quakerism . 96 of Great Britain. At the admiral’s decease he left his es- tate to his son William, together with a debt due from the crown of England, to the amount of 16,000 pounds ster- ling. After many fruitless endeavors to obtain this money, William Penn applied to Charles II. for a grant of land in North America, in payment of the debt. His object in ma- king this request was, to provide an asylum for his perse- cuted friends the Quakers, who were, at that time, suffer- ing for their religion, under the ruthless hand of ecclesiasti- cal tyranny. Charles, who highly respected the old admiral, had pro- mised him, on his death-bed, to be a friend to William, and having (like Herod of old towards John the Baptist) a great lilting towards William, was induced to grant his re- quest. Accordingly he had the instrument drawn up in due form, and endorsed, “ A deed of a certain new Pro- vince in JVorth America , for my beloved subject and friend, William Penn .” The king, on presenting him with the deed, jocosely said, “ Well, friend William, you’ll see in this paper that I have done something handsome for you. — Yes, man, I have given you there a territory in North America, as large as my own island of Great Britain. And knowing what a fighting family you are sprung from, I have made you governor and captain-general of all its coasts, and seas, and bays, and rivers, and mountains, and forests, and population.” When William informed the king of his determination to remove to his new province, Charles expressed great sur- prise that he should venture himself, unarmed, among the savages of North America, and said, “ I have no idea of any security against these cannibals, but in a regiment of good soldiers, with their muskets and bayonets. And mind, I tell you beforehand, that with all my good will for you and your family, to whom I am under obligations, I’ll not send a single soldier with you.” “ I want none of thy soldiers,” answered William, plea- santly. “ I depend upon something better than thy sol- diers.” The king wanted to know what that was. “ Why I depend on themselves ; on their own moral sense,” re- plied William ; “ even on that grace of God which briny- eth salvation, and which hath appeared unto all mend ' 1 — “ I fear, friend William,” said the king, “ that that grace has never appeared to the Indians of North America.” — “ Why not to them, as well as to all others ?” asked Penn. “ If it had appeared to them,” said Charles, “ they 97 would hardly have treated my subjects so barbarously as they have done.” “ That is no proof to the contrary, friend Charles. Thy subjects were the aggressors. When thy subjects first went to North America, they found these poor people the fondest and kindest creatures in the world. Every day they would watch for them to come ashor£, and hasten to meet them, and feast them on their best fish, and venison, and corn, which was all they had. In return for this hospitality of the savages, as we call them, thy subjects, termed Chris- tians, seized on their country and rich hunting grounds, for farms for themselves ! Now can it be wondered at, that these much injured people should have been driven to des- peration by such injustice ; and that, burning with revenge, they should have committed some excesses ?” “ Well then, I hope, friend William,” said the king, “ you’ll not complain when they come to treat you in the same manner.” “ I am not afraid of it,” replied William. “Aye! how will you avoid it ? You mean to get their hunting grounds too, I suppose.” “ Yes ; but not by driving these poor people away from them,” said William. “ How then will you get their lands ?” asked Charles. “ I mean to buy their lands of them,” re- plied William, firmly. “ Buy their lands of them!” said the king ; “ Why man, you have already bought them of me.” “ Yes, I know I have ; and at a dear rate too,” said Wil- liam ; “ but I did it only to get thy good will ; not that I thought thou hadst any right to their lands.” “Zounds, man ! no right to their lands !” said the Icing, hastily. “ No, friend Charles, no right at all. What right hadst thou to their lands ?” “ Why, the right of discovery — the right which the Pope and all Christian kings have agreed to give one another.” “ The right of discovery /” replied William, half smiling, “a strange kind of right, indeed! Now, suppose, friend Charles, some canoe loads of these Indians, crossing the sea, and discovering thy island of Great Britain, were to claim it as their own, and set it up for sale over thy head, what wouldst thou think of it ?” “ Why — why — why,” replied Charles, blushing, “ I must confess I should think it a piece of great impudence in them.” I 98 “ Well then, how canst thou, as a Christian , and a Chris- tian prince too, do that which thou so utterly condemnest in these people, whom thou callest savages ?” The king being rather too much staggered to make a reply, William thus went on; — “Yes, friend Charles, and sup- pose again, that these Indians, on thy refusal to give up thy island of Great Britain, were to make war on thee, and hav- ing weapons more destructive than thine, were to destroy many of thy subjects, and to drive the rest away, wouldst thou not think it horribly cruel?” The king with strong marks of conviction, agreeing to this, William thus proceeded: “ Well then, friend Charles, how can I, who call myself a Christian , do that which I should abhor, even in heathens. No, I will not do it. I will not use the right to their land, tho I have bought it of thee, at a dear rate. But I will buy the right of the proper owners, even of the Indians themselves. By doing this, I shall imitate God himself, in his justice and mercy, and there- by ensure his blessing on my colony, if I should ever live to plant one in North America.” The event proved his wisdom and his justice. When he and his associates came to this country, they brought with them the pacific policy of the Prince of Peace ; and this po- licy was preserved in all their intercourse with the native inhabitants. At the first interview with the natives, whom Penn had called together for the purpose, he addressed them in the language of kindness, benevolence and peace, and as the rightful owners of the soil on which they lived. Tho they appeared in vast numbers, armed with bows and ar- rows, and in all the habiliments of Avar ; so that it appeared to the Quakers on shipboard, as tho the woods were all alive with them ; yet William Penn was in no Avise daunted with this formidable appearance. At mid-day, which was the time appointed to meet, !< he got into the boat and went on shore, Avith a countenance serene and pleasant, as if he had been going to dine with his friends.” The place of their meeting was on the western banks of the Delaware, “ on a fine green, near the pleasant villages of Shakamaxon and Coaquanoc, Avhere Kensington now stands. As if purposely formed to be the theatre of that memorable event, an elm tree, of extraordinary size, lifted high its toAV- ering top, and from its giant arms threw far and wide a re- freshing shade over many a grassy acre. Seeing the Indi- ans, men, women and children, assembled under this tree, William Penn, attended only by a few of his Quakers, ad- 99 vanced towards them, with no other mark of rank but a sash of blue silk, which is still seen in the Penn families in England. The Indians were struck at his presence. A stranger advancing towards them, with no guards around his person, no weapons of war in his hands, and no armour -of defence but the majestic sweetness of his own looks, was a spectacle that impressed them all with veneration.” With these impressions in his favor, they readily obeyed his signal to sit down, and were soon all seated, in a semi- circular form, on the ground. William Penn then addressed them, through an interpreter, in language so plain, simple and intelligible to their understanding ; and yet so kind, be- nevolent and conciliatory, that it quickly awakened all the tender sensibilities of these untaught children of the forest. In his speech, he fully convinced them of his pacific dispo- sition, and of his sacred regard for justice and truth, and clearly manifested his exalted veneration for the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and his great love for all his fellow creatures, of whatever clime or color. Indeed there was so much of a God-like benevolence in his discourse, that he seemed like a heavenly messenger of good things, sent from the Great Spirit, to teach them kindness and love, justice and truth, and to show them how to practice these heavenly principles, in all their intercourse and dealings with their feilow beings. He also displayed before their gazing eyes the various articles of good things, which he had brought over the great water, to give them for their lands ; and he taught them the use of these things, among which were many implements of husbandry, and mechanic tools of va- rious kinds. In short, these wild children of the woods were so delight- ed and elevated with their white brothers, and especially with father Onas, as they called William Penn, that they were ready to oblige him in anything he desired of them. They told him, that if he saw they had looked angry at first, it was because they had heard from their friends, the Chesa- peakes , and JVIussuwomecs , and Susquehannocks, that the white men beyond them, had killed the red men, and had taken their land and deer. And also that their neighbors, the Passaicks, and Manhattans, had told them how the white men, with bows and arrows of fire, had killed many Indians there too. “ Bad white men!” said they, shaking their heads — “ bad white men, to kill their red brothers ! But you no bad white man ! Oh no ; you good white man ! You all the same as red man ! You one brother ! You bring red 100 men good things ! We love you much ! We give you land, - and deer, and turkies plenty ! You live with us, all brothers together as long as the sun and moon give light.” After many expressions of simple, heart-felt joy, on the part of the natives, and some further conference between Penn and the chiefs, he entered into a treaty with them for lands, in exchange for goods, which was executed according to the usual formalities of the natives, and to the mutual satis- faction of both parties. Penn made no military preparations for defence ; but treated the natives with humanity and jus- tice, and enacted laws to protect their just rights and privileges, as well as those of the whites. By these means, he pre- served their confidence and friendship, and left no room for the operation of hostile passions, nor any ground of com- plaint. Thus he saved all the expense and hazard of war, and preserved the lives, both of his own people, and the na- tives. And so complete was the conquest which he gained over these savages of the wilderness, by this pacific course of conduct, that, even to this day, the Quakers are highly respected by them, and have more influence over them, es- pecially over those tribes who are acquainted with them, than all the armies and military authorities of the United States. Far different was the conduct of the settlers in all the other colonies. They came to this country with those ideas of worldly policy which require a military attitude, as the only means of protection and safety ; and accordingly, made it their first object to prepare for defence against the savage inhabitants. Tho they were, in general, strict professors of the Christian religion ; yet they had not learned that the art of war was utterly incompatible with the religion of Christ. Like the great body of Christian professors of the present day, they blended their religion with their principles of Avar ; and so acted on the system of defensive preparation, upon the supposition that, among the savage tribes of America, it was absolutely necessary for their safety and protection. Whenever they settled doAvn, they were careful to build forts, and fortify their habitations with stockades or palisa- does ; to be well provided Avith arms and ammunition ; and, tho unmolested , to keep a nightly guard . Considering them- selves in an unsettled wilderness, filled and surrounded Avith a warlike race of saA r ages, they supposed these measures the best policy they could pursue in their new situation. Thus they put themselves in the attitude of war, tho no injury had then been offered by the natives. 101 At length complaint was made, that some of the settlers had been killed by the Indians. New orders were imme- diately issued ; — the murderers must be pursued, and great- er preparations made for defence. Tho we have had many accounts of the Indian depredations and murders, we hear very little about the provocation given them by the whites. But admitting that the whites, as individuals, had given the Indians no provocation; it certainly must have been very alarming to them, to see these strange foreigners come and settle themselves in their country, with all these signs and symptoms of war. What could excite their fears and their jealousy more than this ? They could not suppose these warlike preparations were made without some object ; — and what object could they have in view, but to kill and drive the red men from their native soil and take it to themselves ? So reasoned the savages ; and what other inference could they draw from these warlike preparations ? Certainly they could draw no inference in favor of a peaceable disposition, on the part of the settlers . W ar followed of course . Many were slain, and captives taken on both sides. Those taken by the Indians were barbarously treated ; nor could such treatment from savages be Avondered at : for they consider- ed it a war of extermination, in which every thing was at stake with them ; and they could see no better treatment, on the part of the whites, towards their countrymen . They beheaded the chiefs Avhom they took in war ; killed the male captives, and enslaved the women and children. Such treatment as this naturally increased the enmity of both parties ; so that war followed war, and cruelties increased upon cruelties, attended with vast expense of property, and the loss of thousands of lives. We find through the whole history of the settlement of the American colonies, where this Avar policy was pursued, it produced one continued scene of warfare between the settlers and the natives ; and the en- mity produced thereby is not eradicated from the breasts of the savages, even to this day. The expense of obtaining these bloodstained colonies, was perhaps a hundred fold greater, in proportion to the extent of territory acquired, than that by which William Penn, and his pacific followers, obtained the province of Pennsyl- vania ; without reckoning the numerous lives that were lost, and the enormous load of guilt incurred by these professed Christian settlers, for their horrid injustice to these wild chil- dren of nature, who were in fact, the primitive and rightful owners of the soil. 12 102 All this was wisely prevented in Pennsylvania, by the honest and upright conduct of William Penn, and his peace- ful colonists ; so that during the long period of seventy ye;ys, in which the Quakers held the government of that colony, they lived in perfect peace with the natives. Yet they had the same savage Indians to deal with, the same ferocious and barbarous passions to guard against, and were in a much more exposed situation ; for they had neither sword nor musket, nor fort nor stockade. They did not judge it ne- cessary to have soldiers, nor provide ammunition, nor set a guard. They spoke the language of peace to the natives, and proved their sincerity and honesty by their pacific con- duct and defenceless situation. They maintained an invari- able testimony to the natives, that all wars were unlawful and wicked, and that it was much better to bear injuries pa- tiently, than to gratify a principle of revenge. These pacific measures and corresponding conduct, on the part of William Penn and his followers, produced their pro- per effect on the natives ; so that whatever attacks were made upon the settlers of lands in their neighborhood, none was ever made upon those who settled on the lands pur- chased by William Penn. And it is worthy of remark, that so great was the confidence of the various tribes of Indians bordering upon Pennsylvania, in the wisdom and justice of the Quakers, that in matters of great public concern, it was common for them to send deputies to the Quakers for ad- vice ; and they have been prevailed upon to relinquish Avars Avhich they had contemplated to make. Such has been the effect of pacific principles on the savages of America ; and such we find to be the difference between the policy of war and that of peace, when fairly tested by their different effects. This difference was still more remarkably exemplified in Pennsylvania, after the government of that colony was trans- ferred from the friends and followers of William Penn, and fell into the hands of those who maintained the war policy. This hitherto peaceful pro\'ince then became, for a long season, a scene of savage Avarfare, and those same wild x but previous to this period, peaceful children of nature, instead of being converted to the benign gospel of peace, were, by this fatal Avar-policy of professed Christians, transferred into the most inveterate enemies. Driven to desperation by the fraud and oppression of their white neighbors, it was but na- tural for them to wreak their vengeance on their oppressors, to the full extent of their power. Nor did they surpass their white brethren in deeds of wanton cruelty. And 103 what was the consequence ? With a vast expense of trea- sure, and a great sacrifice of* lives, the whites succeeded in exterminating their red brethren from the land of their fa- thers, and from all the enjoyments of their ancient domi- nions. All this guilt of blood and waste of treasure, might have been easily spared, had the just and pacific principles of William Penn been continued among them. Here the widely different effects between pacific and hostile principles must be obvious and indisputable, having been thus fairly- tested under the influence of both these principles, and upon the same savage Indians. THE LOO-CHOO ISLANDERS. The inhabitants of these islands afford another remarka- ble instance of the happy effects of pacific principles. The Loo-Choo islands have been but recently discovered by Eu- ropeans. They are situated in the Chinese sea, between 26 and 27 degrees of north latitude, and about four or five hundred miles from the eastern coast of China, in about 127 degrees east longitude,. In the year 1816, Lord Amherst was sent as an ambas- sador from Great Britain to China. The two armed ships, the Alceste, commanded by Capt. Maxwell, and the Lyra, commanded by Capt. Hall, after landing the ambassador, visited the largest of these islands, called the Great Loo- Choo. After the ships came to anchor, many of the na- tives came on board, and among others, a person of some rank, who, it was discovered, could understand the Chinese servant whom they had on board. This opened the way for communication by means of an interpreter. The next morning three chiefs came on board, and were conducted into the cabin and introduced to Capt. Maxwell. As they were desirous to know from whence the ships came, and what was their reason for coming into the har- bor, Capt. Maxwell informed them, through the interpreter, that the ships belonged to the king of England ; that they had been to China with an ambassador,* and on their re- turn towards Canton, had experienced bad weather, and had been obliged to put in there to make some repairs, and to procure supplies of fresh provisions, water and vegetables. This intimation induced them to send on board a party of native shipwrights and caulkers. But they were informed * They had been up the Yellow Sea, where they had landed the ambassador on hi* way to Pekin 104 that they had carpenters on board, and that they only want- ed an asylum while making their repairs, with permission to take on board provisions and water. Accordingly a sup- ply of bullocks, pigs, goats, fowls, and vegetables were sent on board. This supply of provisions was regularly conti- nued during the whole time the ships continued in the har- bor, which was six weeks ; and, as they were afterwards informed, was furnished by the government ; nor could the chiefs be persuaded to receive any compensation for this, or for any other favor which had been granted. Captain Maxwell, in a conference with the chiefs, in- formed them that it would be necessary to land a part of the ship’s stores, and also to have a party on shore to work. — Some of the ship’s crew being out of health, permission was also requested to bring them on shore for the re-establish- ment of their health. These requests being communicated to the government, and permission obtained, a place was as- signed in a convenient enclosure, surrounded by a wall built of coral blocks, twelve feet high, and containing a large building or temple, in the form of a Chinese pagoda, besides other smaller buildings, very well adapted to the present oc- casion. The temple being divided into various apartments, a part of it was appropriated to the use of the sick and their attendants. At the gate which led into this enclosure, a no- tice was affixed, both in the Loo-Choo and the English language, that no person was to enter without a written per- mission from Capt. Maxwell or from one of the chiefs. “ About this time a mutual friendship began to exist be- tween us, and confidence took place of timidity. Many of these islanders displayed a spirit of intelligence and genius. They all seemed to be gifted with a sort of politeness which had the fairest claim to be termed natural : for there was nothing constrained, nothing stiff or studied in it.” — “ No- thing could be more interesting,” says Capt. Hall, “ than to observe the care the natives took of the sick men. They crowded round to assist them out of the boats, and carried those who were confined to their beds, all the way from the beach to the hospital. A number of people also attended to support the invalids, who had barely strength to walk ; and others were happy to be permitted to carry the clothes. No sooner were the sick safely lodged, than eggs, milk, fowls, and vegetables, all ready cooked, were brought to them.” During the time that the repairs were going on, Capt. Hall was sent with the brig Lyra to take a survey of the 105 coasts and harbors round the island. On his return he Writes thus : “I was glad to find some sick men of my ship touch recovered, and very grateful for the kindness of the natives. Milk, eggs, meat and vegetables, had been brought to them every day ; and whenever they felt dispo- sed to take exercise, were sure to be accompanied by one or two of the natives, who held their arms and helped them up the steep side of the hill, behind the hospital, to a plea- sant grassy spot on the summit, and having lighted pipes for them, remained patiently till the invalids wished to re- turn. In short, I suppose sailors were never so caressed before ; and it was pleasing to observe how much our har- dy seamen were softened by such gentle intercourse : for it was not to the sick alone that the influence of this unaffect- ed suavity of manners extended. The whole crews of both ships participated in the same kindly sentiment, and laid aside, for the time, all their habitual roughness of man- ner, and without any interference on the part of the officers, treated the natives, at all times, with the greatest considera- tion and kindness.” “ The island of Loo-Choo is about 60 miles long and 20 broad ; it is situated in the happiest climate of the globe. — Refreshed by the sea breezes, which blow over it at every period of the year, it is free from the extremes of heat and cold, which oppress many other countries. The people seemed to enjoy robust health •. for we observed no diseased objects, nor beggars of any description. The administra- tion of the government seems to partake of the general mild- ness of the people ; and yet it appears highly efficient, from the very great order which is always maintained, and the general diffusion of happiness. Crimes are said to be very unfrequent among them, and they seem to go perfectly un- armed.” Capt. Hall, in speaking of an excursion among the inha- bitants in a distant part of the island, says, u As we had not seen any kind of military weapons at Loo-Choo, we looked out for them sharply at all these places. The na- tives always declared that they had none, and their beha- vior on seeing a musket fired, implied an ignorance of fire- arms ; — and they always denied having any knowledge of war, either by experience or tradition.” Some of the officers of the ships, in one of their walks, greatly surprised the natives by shooting and killing several birds on the wing. In the course of the day the chiefs came to Capt. Maxwell on board the Alceste, appearing ve- 106 ry unhappy at something which had taken place ; and yet seemed fearful of giving offence by mentioning it. “ After many apologies, and much to Capt. Maxwell’s relief, who feared something very disastrous had occurred, they stated that the inhabitants were alarmed by all this firing, and would take it as the greatest possible kindness, if neither Capt. Maxwell, nor any of his officers, would in future carry fire-arms on shore.” They also observed, “ that the natives were grieved to see their little birds shot. Capt. Maxwell hastened to assure them of his regret for what had passed ; and to set their minds at rest, immediately, and in their presence, wrote an order, forbidding any person be- longing to the ships to fire at the birds, or even to carry a gun during our stay at Loo-Choo.” “We never saw any punishment inflicted at Loo-Choo ; a tap with a fan or an angry look, being the severest chas- tisement ever resorted to, at least as far as we ever saw, or could hear about. In giving their orders, the chiefs were mild in manner and expression, tho quite decided ; and the people always obeyed them with alacrity and cheerfulness. There seemed to exist the greatest respect and confidence on the one hand, which was met by correspondent considera- tion and kind feeling on the other. — We saw nothing like poverty or distress of any kind ; every one we met seemed contented and happy.” “ It was indeed extremely interesting to observe how early the gentle manners, and amiable disposition of all class- es of society at Loo-Choo, won the hearty good will even of our rough seamen. From the very first hour of our visit, by a sort of universal and tacit understanding, which render- ed orders on the subject unnecessary, the natives were treat- ed by every one, not only with kindness, but what was more remarkable, with entire confidence.” “ That proud and haughty feeling of national superiority, so strongly existing among the common class of British sea- men, which induces them to hold all foreigners cheap, was, at this island, completely subdued and tamed by the gentle manners and kind behaviour of the most pacific people in the world. Altho completely intermixed, and often working to- gether, both on shore and on board, not a single quarrel or complaint took place on either side, during the whole of our stay. On the contrary, each succeeding day added to friend- ship and cordiality.” “ During our intercourse with these people, there never occurred one instance of theft, altho the natives were, at all 107 times, permitted to come on board, indiscriminately, and to go into the cabins, state-rooms, or wherever else they thought fit, without being watched. On shore it was the same, where the ship’s stores of every kind, as well as the carpen- ter’s and armourer’s tools, were lying about ; and in the ob- servatory, the instruments, books and pencils, were merely placed under cover to shelter them from the dew, but under no lock and key, and without any guard ; yet not a single article was taken away, tho many hundreds of people were daily admitted, and allowed to touch and examine whatever they pleased.” “The period of our departure being now fixed, all our stores were embarked on the evening of the 26 th of Octo- ber. The next morning, the Loo-Choos, as a mark of re- spect, arrayed themselves in their best apparel, and proceed- ing to the temple, offered up to their gods, a solemn sacrifice, invoking them to protect the Engelees , to avert every dan- ger, and restore them in safety to their own land. In the manner of this adieu, there was an air of sublimity and be- nevolence, by far more touching to the heart than the most refined compliments of a more civilized people. It was the genuine benignity of artless nature, and of primitive inno- cence . Immediately following this solemnity, our particular friends crowded on board to shake hands and say — F ARE- WELL ! whilst the tears whicb'many of them shed, evinced the sincerity of their attachment.” “ We stood out seaward, and the breeze being favorable, this happy island soon sunk from our view ; but it will be long remembered by the officers and the crews; for the kindness and hospitality of its inhabitants have fixed upon every mind, a deep and lasting impression of gratitude and esteem.” REMARKS UPON THE PRECEDING. The foregoing account presents a practical example of peace, in a people called Pagans, which is sufficient to teach professing Christians a lesson of wisdom, far superior to all the maxims in favor of the war policy, that ever were ad- vanced by any Christian nation on earth. Indeed it affords a complete refutation of that erroneous policy which teaches that, “ the surest means of preserving peace is to be pre- pared for war.” It is also an incontestible proof, that a vir- tuous and peaceable spirit is not only able to preserve the peace of a nation, but to disarm warriors themselves of their 108 * accustomed feelings ofhostility. If “that proud and haughtj feeling of national superiority, so strongly existing among the common class of British seamen,” could be “ completely subdued and tamed by the gentle manners and kind beha- viour” of these Pagans, why should not the same causei produce the same effects, between nations professing the mild and pacific principles of Christianity ? Such a conquest ovei the spirits and feelings of warriors, could never be achieved by war. Here, for the first time, was found a race of people who, from time immemorial, without any warlike means, had preserved peace with all their neighbours ; a people who lived in a state of peace and harmony among themselves, and enjoyed a degree of happiness and prosperity unknown to warring nations. If we are to judge by the accounts given of these people, we must believe that they shame tne professed Christian world, with all their boasted privileges, not only in main- taining the principles of peace, but in the practice of all the moral virtues taught by the gospel. Their government, it appears, was supported by the same mild and peaceable spirit, and was effective in its operations, in maintaining good order without the aid of arms ; so that crimes were very un- frequent, and there was no appearance of theft or fraud found among them. These people will doubtless be called idola- ters by Christian professors ; because they had pagan temples among them. But to one of these temples the British were permitted to convey their sick and infirm ; and there these charitable people kindly administered to their necessities. Where shall we find a nation of Christians who will do like- wise ? What a striking contrast appears between this con- duct and that of Christian warriors, who often pollute the temples of each other with the implements of war, and the beasts of the army ; and what still more loudly proclaims the spirit of their religion, they even deposite the blood- stained trophies of the sanguinary field in their own temples, professedly dedicated to the worship of the Prince of Peace. How comes it to pass that these Pagans practice so much more of the genuine principles of Christianity, than those who assume the Christian name ? The answer is plain and obvious : Because they have never been corrupted by the spirit and principles of war ; and consequently know noth- ing of its pernicious practices. For certain it is, that wrath, contention and strife, thefts, robberies and murders, are the fruits of the spirit of war ; and where that spirit is entirely 109 subdued in a nation, these fruits will cease to grow, as cer- tainly as a tree will cease to bear fruit when it is cut down. “ Mr. Ellis, the English missionary, declared that he never even suspected the inconsistency of war with Chris- tianity, till the uncivilized islanders, to whom he was sent, came and proposed the destruction of all their weapons of war, saying, ‘ When we have embraced this gospel, we- can never use them again.’ Had Christian nations been as much enlightened to their highest interests and duties, as these people whom we call savages, the promise that, ‘the meek shall inherit the earth,’ would long since have been literally acomplished. — One of the Chinese emperors refused to ad- mit the missionaries into his dominions ; because, said he, that wherever Christians came, wars and desolation soon followed.”* What a pity it is, that heathens and savages, so called, should be so much better able to understand the pacific na- ture of Christ’s gospel, than those nations who have so long enjoyed the light of Divine Revelation, and made such high pretensions of superior refinement and civilization ! It is not improbable that the professed Christian world, in their zeal for foreign missions, will ere long think of send- ing missionaries to teach the inhabitants of the Loo-Choo islands their system of religion, according to the creeds of the sect to wdiich these missionaries may happen to belong. But we think it would be much better for them to send to Loo-Choo, for missionaries to teach the principles and prac- tice of peace, which are the genuine fruits of that gospel which warring Christians know only by name. If Chris- tian nations, in a Christian land, are so destitute of the knowledge of the peaceable principles of the gospel, as not to know how to live in peace, we would advise them to send their. ministers of religion, together with those whom they design for statesmen and rulers, to Loo-Choo, to be taught the principles of peace, and to learn by example how to practice them. And if a high-sounding profession of the name of Christianity , which is destitute of the spirit of Christ , has not sunk them far below Pagans, and common British seamen, and blinded their eyes to all increasing light, they will undoubtedly learn, that the principles and practice of peace can exist, and be fully maintained among mankind , notwithstanding they have been so long taught an opposite doctrine in a Christian land. Could this be done, we might indulge a hope that wars would soon cease : for when once * Address of E. B. Perkins — see Harbinger ofPeace, No. 7. p. 151. 110 the rulers and leading characters of nations shall be govern- ed by the spirit of honesty, peace and good will, wars will cease, and there will then be no more necessity of wars among nations so governed, than there is now among the Loo-Choo Islanders. In this account of a people, so honorable to human nature, we have a full proof of these important facts : 1st. That the principles of war are not inherent in the constitution of man. 2d. That warlike principles and preparations are wholly un- necessary for the protection of any people. 3d. That the principles of peace operate far more powerfully, for the be- nefit of states and nations, than those of war, and, when properly exercised, will disarm the most powerful warriors of their hostile spirit, and bring them into subjection where actual hostilities cannot do it. Hence it is clearly evident, that the spirit of peace affords a far greater protection, and is infinitely more beneficial to a nation, than the spirit of war, with all its multiplied and costly preparations and means of defence. CONCLUSION. In the well authenticated facts contained in the preceding pages, concerning the protection and preservation of nations and people, who have been ruled and governed by the prin- ciples of peace, we have a fair view of the extraordinary effects of those principles, even under the government of Pagan rulers. And whether our readers have any belief or confidence in the miraculous interposition of Divine Provi- dence in the affairs of men, or not, it is certain that the spirit of peace has always been the same, whenever and wherever it has been properly exercised : for it has ever produced the same effects, and doubtless ever will, to the end of time. Let the candid reader examine, with an unbiassed mind, the historical facts which we have brought to view, and candidly reflect on the subject, and he will undoubtedly be convinced that wars, unless positively known to be author- ized by Divine Providence, have ultimately failed of their professed object ; that they have never operated for the real benefit of any nation ; but on the contrary, have always been attended with destruction and misery in proportion to their extent ; and that they have also been the prolific source of all manner of crimes, and have caused the most extensive depravity of morals to nations ; and finally, have brought the .most signal judgments of God upon mankind. And if, in some instances, the ambitious chief who waged the war, Ill has obtained the object of his ambition, it has been at the expense of the lives of his subjects, and the corruption of their moral principles, and perhaps the infinite loss of nu- merous innocent families of his own subjects, as well as those of his enemy, for which all the objects of his ambition could never compensate. On the contrary, the reader will find that the spirit of peace, when fairly put in practice, has never failed of its object ; but has proved the best security of nations, the surest preservation of their honor and inte- rests, and the greatest source of national happiness and pros- perity. Had the wise policy of Numaand Antoninus been adopt- ed and pursued by the rulers of nations, from that period to this, wars would long since have ceased throughout the civilized world. And had the wise and pacific conduct of William Penn been practiced by the people of America, from the first settlement of this country, wars would never have been known between them and the natives of this land ; and yet they might have obtained an ample supply of lands, without the expense of war, or the sacrifice of life, and have proved a real blessing instead of a curse to the natives. Such are the just and powerful reasons which present themselves to the view of mankind, in favor of the principles and practice of peace, and against those of war. And yet such is the blind devotion of nations and governments to the spirit and principles of war, even in countries professing Chris- tianity, that many millions are annually expended, even in times of peace, to promote this object. From this blind de- votion to the god of war, the constituted authorities of this land of liberal principles are by no means exempt. Notwith- standing all their claims to Christianity, and all their pro- fessions of religious toleration, they still demand the services of the conscientious subjects of the Prince of peace ; and treat their claims to religious freedom, and exemption from the principles of war and bloodshed, as the effects of fanaticism, or the foolish chimeras of a disordered mind. But let the candid reader take an impartial view of the facts contained in these pages, and carefully examine the au- thorities on which they are founded ; and then let him de- cide whose conduct savors the most of fanaticism, and men- tal disorder, that of the advocates of peace, or those of war. Will he not be ready to conclude, that he who still con- tinues the advocate of war, after a full investigation of these indisputable facts, must be infatuated with something worse than maniac madness ? 112 We live in an age which boasts much of intellectual light and liberal principles ; and this is more especially the boast of Americans ; yet this maniac madness of the spirit of war still continues to prevail, even in this far famed land of liberty. But when we seethe conscientious advocates of peace claiming the free exercise and enjoyment of their re- ligious rights and privileges, to which they are justly enti- tled by the gift of Heaven, and the free institutions cf their country, and humbly urging their honest claims for an ex- emption from the barbarous laws of war, yet urging in vain against the hostile decrees of the spirit of war, we are prompted to ask, where we shall find the boasted freedom, liberality and religious toleration of our land ? and we are driven to the sad conclusion, that (at least with regard to tire advocates of peace) this precious boon is but the sound- ing boast , and not the substantial enjoyment of our country. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction, 5 Part I. Wars before the Flood, 8 Wars after the Flood, 12 The kingdom of Egypt, 14 The Assyrian Empire, 18 The Babylonian Empire, 21 A few Reflections, 25 The Persian Empire, 28 The Grecian Empire, 30 The City of Tyre, 32 The City.of Carthage, 33 The Roman Empire, 34 The Saracen Empire, 3S Empire of the Tartars, 39 The Turkish Empire, ........ 40 Recapitulation, 42 Part II. The Principles of War delu- sive, 47 The Israelites, 51 King David and his Success- ors, 56 King Solomon, 57 Page. Rehoboam, 59 Asa, 60 Jehosliaphat, 62 Jekoram, 64 Amaziah, 65 Uzziah, 66 Ahaz, 67 Hezekiah, 68 Mann^seh 70 Josiah, 71 Remarks upon the history of the Jews, 72 Alexander the Great, 74 Pontius Pilate, 7S Cains Caligula, 79 War between the Jews and Romans, 81 Part III. Peace essential to Christianity, 86 The Chinese Empire, 89 Numa Pompilius, 91 Antoninus Pius, 93 William Penn, 9.5 The Loo-Choo Islanders, .... 103 Remarks upon the preceding,. 107 Conclusion, . 110 / J X . Date Due — ..... $&»***$* f) PRINTED IN U. S. A. 3 r .