h 6003

TO

ALL LOVERS OF PEACE,

These Discourses,

ARE

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED,

BY

THE AUTHOR,

WHOSE

HIGHEST AMBITION

IS TO BE

AN ADVOCATE FOR PEACE,

6 The Dove

Her resting place hath found,
Glory to God, deliverance for Mankind."

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, bis family, or his property!