TWO DISCOURSES, DELIVERED AT WILLISTON AND BURLINGTON, JULY, 1846. LIKEWISE A DISCOURSE, DELIVERED AT THE UNIVERSALIST STATE CONVENTION, MONTPELIER, AUG. 26, 1846. BY JOHN GREGORY. O! yet a nobler task awaits thy hand! For what can War but endless War still breed? Milton-Sonnet to Fairfax. BURLINGTON : CHESTER C. BRIGGS. BOSTON: ABEL TOMPKINS. 1847. то ALL LOVERS OF PEACE, These Discourses, ARE AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR, WHOSE HIGHEST AMBITION IS TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR PEACE DISCOURSE, No. I. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and on the unjust,"-Matthew, V: 43, 44, 45. I PURPOSE entering upon a subject at this time, that has for a number of months laid near my heart, a subject that not only concerns myself and friends, but all mankind. I refer to WAR! The question whether wars, offensive or defensive, are ever justifiable, under any circumstances, is a question of the greatest importance; and one that has occupied my attention more than any other, since our declaration of war against Mexico. I have thought whether a man could be a christian and defend war even in self-defence; and although I have heard arguments in favor of fighting, they have only had the effect to convince me more strongly, that in no case can a christian resort to murderous weapons to defend either his life, his family, or his property! |