The way of carrying on wars common in the world is so far distinguishable
from the purity of Christ's religion that many scruple to join in them.
Those who are so redeemed from the love of the world as to possess nothing
in a fleshly spirit, their "life is hid with Christ in God;"(1) and these
he preserves in resignedness, even in times of commotion.
As they possess nothing but what pertains to his family, anxious thoughts
about wealth or dominion have little or nothing in them to work upon; and
they learn contentment in being disposed of according to his will who,
being omnipotent and always mindful of his children, causeth all things to
work for their good. But where that spirit works which loves riches, and
in its working gathers wealth and cleaves to customs which have their root
in self-pleasing; -- this spirit, thus separating from universal love,
seeks help from the power which stands in the separation, and whatever
name it hath, it still desires to defend the treasures thus gotten: --
This is like a chain, where the end of one link encloseth the end of
another. The rising up of a desire to obtain wealth is the beginning; this
desire, being cherished, moves to action; and riches thus gotten please
self; and while self has a life in them it desires to have them defended.
Wealth is attended with power, by which bargains and proceedings,
contrary to universal righteousness, are supported; and hence oppression,
carried on with worldly policy and order, clothes itself with the name of
justice and becomes like a seed of discord in the soul. And as this spirit
which wanders from the pure habitation prevails, so the seeds of war
swell and sprout, and grow, and become strong, until much fruit is
ripened. Then cometh the harvest spoken of by the prophet, which "is a
heap, in the day of grief and desperate sorrows."(2)
Oh! that we who declare against wars, and acknowledge our trust to be in
God only, may walk in the light, and therein examine our foundation and
motives in holding great estates! May we look upon our treasures, and the
furniture of our houses, and the garments in which we array ourselves, and
try whether the seeds of war have nourishment in these our possessions, or
not. Holding treasures in the self-pleasing spirit is a strong plant, the
fruit whereof ripens fast.
A day of outward distress is coming, and Divine love calls to prepare
against it. Hearken then, O ye children who have known the light, and come
forth. Leave every thing which Jesus Christ does not own. Think not his
pattern too plain, too coarse for you. Think not a small portion in this
life too little. But let us live in his spirit, and walk as he walked: so
shall we be preserved in the greatest troubles.
NOTES:
(1) Colossians 3:3. With verse 2: "Set your minds on things that are
above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life
is hidden with Christ in God."
(2) Isaiah 17:11. The revised version has: "In the day of thy planting
thou hedgest it in, and in the morning thou makest thy seed to blossom;
but the harvest fleeth away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow."