PART II.

CHAPTER I.

Ir is now my purpose, in humble dependence on the blessing of God, to show as briefly as possible, that the law of honour, and the practice of duelling, are directly opposed to the revealed law of God, and the precepts and doctrines of the christian religion.

If, however, this little volume should fall into the hands of any one who denies the truth of the christian revelation, as contained in the Bible, it will be useless for such an one to read one page further, because all my proofs are drawn from that source, and all my arguments founded upon the unlimited belief of the inspired truth of that holy volume.

To christian readers, whose daily perusal of the

Scriptures has made them intimate with the mild precepts of their blessed Redeemer, it may appear a work of supererogation to prove, that duelling is contrary to the law of God. Such persons would find it difficult to believe the fact could be denied, by any but avowed infidels; and still less would they be persuaded that in a country such as this, where the gospel is preached, and the Bible circulated in every direction, it has not only been declared by many, but actually been published to the world in the works of some few men of great literary eminence, that "duelling is only self-defence," and therefore "no crime." The scripture reader would at once refer to his Bible, and demand how they could possibly make such an assertion in the very face of its plain enactments. Unhappily, however, those who seek most to conform themselves to the fantastic rules of the law of honour, are the persons least likely to have studied with the humble and teachable spirit (so essential to its right understanding) that more holy law which would open their eyes to their fatal error. Generally speaking, those who advocate duelling are the proud and lofty ones of the earth, in various stations of life; men of education, versed more or less in the study of literature, philosophy, the sciences, or belles lettres; men who cannot be said to be

altogether unacquainted with the Bible, however far they may wander from the spirit of its contents; men who bear the name and profession of Christians, and would burn with indignation if told they were not such, and yet would never think of turning to the Bible as a test whereby to try the propriety of their conduct in this present fleeting life; although it is the very book by which, in the life to come, they must be judged and sentenced to all eternity. It is chiefly for such persons I have been induced to write this little work, in the faint hope it may lead to better things and further inquiry. There is, however, one point upon which the duellist must make up his mind, startling as it may be; and in order to come to a right understanding upon it, before entering further into the inquiry, I solicit a short conference with him.

Reader, are you a Christian?

No doubt you will answer (and with some degree of indignation, perhaps,) Yes, certainly!

Do you believe, then, in the doctrines and precepts of the christian religion, and that you are bound to endeavour to act up to them? Again you will answer, Yes!

Where are these doctrines and precepts to be found?

There is but one answer:-In the Bible! the holy Scriptures of God.

If, then, I show you from those holy Scriptures, that the practice which they enjoin upon the Christian, is altogether adverse to the practice which the world imposes upon the duellist; then it follows as a matter of course, that as from their opposite natures you cannot be both a duellist and a Christian, at the same time, you have but one alternative. You must either renounce the practice of duelling, and the law of honour, or at once take your stand upon the side of infidelity, and declare that you do not believe, and are not bound to act up to the precepts and doctrines of the christian religion; or in other words, that you are not a Christian!

Now then, reader, since it is and must be admitted by all who call themselves Christians, that the only knowledge they have of the will of God, the only standard rule and guide of their conduct, is "the Bible," to those holy Scriptures I entreat you and every duellist to appeal. You will there find no casuistry, no subtle logic, no false reasoning, no deceptive arguments; but truth displayed with infinite wisdom, yet beautiful simplicity, suited to, and intended for, the whole world; equally to be understood in all points necessary to salvation by the rich and the poor,