4. Nothing will operate efficaciously to this grand effect that does
not go deep into the constitution of men's souls, and quell
internally those fatal passions which have perpetuated external war.
And that is what cannot be done by any civilisation, national
refinement, science, or even an enlightened theoretical policy. All
these may be but like fair structures and gardens extended over a
ground where volcanic fires are in a temporary slumber below. All
these may be shattered and exploded by some mighty impulse of
ambition or some blast of revengeful anger. No; there must be a
greater, nobler power brought into prevalence among mankind. Nothing
springing merely from the action of the human mind can suffice. It
must be something coming from heaven. CHRISTIANITY is the appointed
and qualified agent.
+IV. It is credible that Christianity will cause wars to cease upon
the earth.+
1. It has accomplished something in this direction already. To _it_
is mainly attributable the mitigation of ferocity and exterminatory
rage, so evident in modern wars. We dare not assert even that it may
not have prevented some wars.
2. It is essentially a peacemaker. Look at its genuine tendency, as
displayed on the smaller scale, in a family, a neighbourhood, a
district: a family in a constant state of hostility within itself,
but at length the members of it are converted by the religion of
Jesus Christ. The consequence how happy! (H. E. I. 1126.)
3. Precisely as it progresses among any people it will produce a
distaste for war.[5]
4. Consequently its progress among the nations is a progressive
abolition of war. Every extension of this blessed religion is so much
gained against war; quenching still another and another spark of
infernal fire; repressing in some more minds those evil passions
which are the prompters and the essential power of war.