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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

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and expired in hospitals; o<strong>the</strong>rs have been taken prisoners by <strong>the</strong> rebels, a fate more tobe dreaded than death. In view of all this, <strong>the</strong>y inquire: If we succeed in quelling thisrebellion, what has been gained? They can only answer discouragingly: Nothing. Thatwhich caused <strong>the</strong> rebellion is not removed. The system of slavery, which has ruinedour nation, is left to live and stir up ano<strong>the</strong>r rebellion. The feelings of thousands ofour soldiers are bitter. They suffer <strong>the</strong> greatest privations; <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong>y would willinglyendure, but <strong>the</strong>y find <strong>the</strong>y have been deceived, and <strong>the</strong>y are dispirited. Our leading menare perplexed, <strong>the</strong>ir hearts are failing <strong>the</strong>m <strong>for</strong> fear. They fear to proclaim freedom to<strong>the</strong> slaves of <strong>the</strong> rebels, <strong>for</strong> by so doing <strong>the</strong>y will exasperate that portion of <strong>the</strong> Southwho have not joined <strong>the</strong> rebellion but are strong slavery men. And again <strong>the</strong>y havefeared <strong>the</strong> influence of those strong antislavery men who were in command, holdingresponsible stations. They have feared <strong>the</strong> effects of a bold, decided tone, <strong>for</strong> it fannedto a flame <strong>the</strong> strong desire of thousands to wipe out <strong>the</strong> cause of this terrible rebellion,by letting <strong>the</strong> oppressed go free and breaking every yoke.Many of those who are placed high in command to fill responsible stations havebut little conscience or nobility of soul; <strong>the</strong>y can exercise <strong>the</strong>ir power, even to <strong>the</strong>destruction of those under <strong>the</strong>m, and it is winked at. These commanders could abuse<strong>the</strong> power given <strong>the</strong>m and cause those subject to <strong>the</strong>m to occupy dangerous positionswhere <strong>the</strong>y would be exposed to terrible encounters with <strong>the</strong> rebels without <strong>the</strong> leasthope of conquering <strong>the</strong>m. In this way <strong>the</strong>y could dispose of daring, thoroughgoingmen, as David disposed of Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:14, 15.Valuable men have thus been sacrificed to get rid of <strong>the</strong>ir strong antislaveryinfluence. Some of <strong>the</strong> very men whom <strong>the</strong> North most need in this critical time, whoseservices would be of <strong>the</strong> highest value, are not. They have been wantonly sacrificed.The prospects be<strong>for</strong>e our nation are255

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