p. 159 | The War Question by Editor

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

The War Question.

By Editor

BRETHREN Bourdeau and Cottrell, in this week's Review, speak with wisdom, we think, on the war question. We fear Brn. Snook and Waggoner are tending to the other extreme. Bro. Clarke's hatred of treason, love of loyalty, and his ardor, lead him to speak in strong terms. May God guide us all. True Seventh-day Adventists would make poor work at using carnal weapons. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”

The object of our article entitled, The Nation, in No. 11, was to briefly state the views our people entertain of slavery, and to check that spirit of fanaticism which would recklessly proclaim abroad that we should resist a military draft. Judging from the multitude of letters received, many of our brethren were greatly excited, and trembled over the prospect of a draft. We then felt clear and firm to leave the matter in the hands of God, without resistance, in case of a draft. We now see no better way. God designs the present state of things to bring us nearer to him. The nation is in his hands; and we cannot see how God can be glorified by his loyal people taking up arms. We must believe that if they were all free from self-deception and rebellion, and were united in drawing nigh to God, he would in some way avert the evil. It may have to be otherwise to humble us and bring us near to God.

The communications from Brn. Carver, James, and Baker will be noticed next week.—Ed.