wars;" but whether such distinctions are strictly correct, remains a matter of some dubiety. Mr. Paley says:—"Every just war is a defensive war;" from which we might infer that, all others are unjust wars.
Shall we admit the distinction of—"Offensive" and "defensive wars?" We have not read in history of a people who acknowledge themselves the offending party;—all plead justification, on the ground of aggressions from the enemy. Again:—There is scarcely, in the annals of Time, an account of an important war, in which both parties did not operate, both offensively and defensively. The doctrine of attack, advantage taking, and punishing to gratify feelings of revenge, is adopted by all parties engaged in war; and it is universally the case, that so soon as war is declared, the technicalities—of offensive and defensive war—are forgotten. But take any definition of war, given by our most popular writers: the great question to be determined, is:—Are Christians authorized, by the New Testament, to engage in war? There is no philanthropist, or christian, who is not deeply interested in the solution of this subject.
2d. The origin and causes of war, are matters not to be slighted. We presume no one will argue, that man was made to sport with the life's blood of his brother. Moses informs us that man was made—"To till the ground."—Gen. 2:5.
When we view the beautiful order and perfect harmony in the heavenly bodies, and the fitness of everything earthly, to accomplish wise designs, we instinctively listen for Nature's voice to cry: "Peace, peace." Even the brute creation make mournful lamentations over the slain of their species, and thereby give undeniable evidence of the love of life, in all the animal race, and the extreme pain experienced when it is taken away. This tenacious clinging to life in the animal kingdom, gives indubitable evidence, that God has given instinctive laws to brutes, as well as written laws to men. The least sparrow, or even insect, is shocked at death, and often weeps out its life at the loss of its mate.
But what shall we say for man? Has not the Allwise implanted in his nature a love for life,—for mere existence; and bid him instinctively to respect it in all his fellows? He who acts from
