Non-resistance by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1862

Non-resistance.

By R. F. Cottrell

THERE is no necessity for brethren to go to war with each other on peace principles. We desire light, however, upon our duty—the true light—and we may reasonably expect to have it. I shall not attempt to pilot this vessel into port; but I believe she will go safely in, and if I "abide in the ship," I shall go in with her. We have a sure Pilot; and whenever I can hear his voice, saying, "Larboard!" or "Port!" I would not be backward to tug at the wheel accordingly. And I am glad he is within speaking distance, and would, if I know my own heart, welcome him on board with joy.

I am not talking about Bro White. He does not claim infallibility of judgment, as his invitations to the brethren to a scriptural investigation of the subject fully evince. But I trust I have learned not rashly to oppose my judgment to his. Such a spirit tends to anarchy, not to unity. I wrote to him, not because I wished to dictate in the matter, but because I wished to have the true light on the subject—because I wanted help. The only question was whether it was duty to decline serving in the army at all hazards, even of life itself. It is by no means certain that a man's life would be taken because he declined fighting for conscience' sake. But if every remonstrance failed, and it was evidently coming to this, I would recommend following the advice given, until further light is elicited from the word, or given from above.

But I told Bro. White (and I did not claim to speak by the gift of prophecy, for I had already heard it) that his words would be wrestled to justify volunteering. And one individual that I heard thus pleading, has since, as I have been informed, enlisted, though exempt by age, as well as infirmity, and was, upon surgical examination, rejected. Such, I understand, sin against light.

It is not to enter upon the scriptural investigation of the question of non-resistance that I write. Others, I hope, will write upon it. My rule has ever been to obey civil magistrates so far as their requirements do not contravene the law of God. I can see a wide difference too between a requirement to fall down and worship other gods, or to cease the worship of the true God, and the incidental and not intentional demands of the government, which do, in fact, without distinction of religious sentiments, contravene the law of God, out of the necessity of the case, and not with any design to religious persecution.

But perhaps I have said enough. I want the true light upon the question, and I believe we shall have it. Those who patiently wait for it, will have it when they need it. And I will conclude by saying that I have no idea that, in the final gathering of the armies of the nations, any of the saints of God will be gathered with them. If we earnestly pray, "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men," I believe we shall be heard and answered. R. F. Cottrell.