Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

[149] together in order to lacerate, sue, imprison, or hang their enemies, nor even as individuals to resort to physical force to break down the heart of an adversary. And, surely, if they cannot do these things as a body, or in their private capacity, they have no right to join with the ungodly in doing them. The remedy, however, will not be found in anything short of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Human governments will remain in violent existence as long as men are resolved not to bear the cross of Christ, and to be crucified unto the world. But in the kingdom of God's dear Son, holiness and love are the only magistracy. It has no swords, for they are beaten into ploughshares—no spears, for they are changed into pruning-hooks—no military academy, for the saints cannot learn war any more—no gibbet, for life is regarded as inviolate —no chains, for all are free. And that kingdom is to be established upon the earth, for the time is predicted when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

When they visit us in this quarter, we shall give those excellent women a welcome reception. You may tell them that the ‘Friends’ in New England are fast ceasing to be abolitionists ex officio, and are becoming such in spirit and in truth.

I shall endeavor—Deo volente —to be in New York the week preceding the anniversary meeting. If we can find time, we will then freely interchange our religious views. My own are very simple, but they make havoc of all sects, and rites, and ordinances of the priesthood of every name and order. Let me utter a startling assertion in your ear—There is nothing more offensive to the religionists of the day than practical holiness; and the doctrine that total abstinence from sin, in this life, is not only commanded but necessarily obtainable, they hate with a perfect hatred, and stigmatize entire freedom from sin as a delusion of the devil! Nevertheless, ‘he that is born of God cannot commit sin’—‘he that committeth sin is of the devil.’ ‘How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein?’ ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death.’ ‘Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.’ ‘For by one offering he hath forever perfected them who are sanctified.’ ‘If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature.’