The Civil War tested the unity of the Disciples of Christ and determined the future direction of the church. In addition, it was a test for the conscience of the individual Disciple as to what role he would play in the war. As the war approached, many Disciples continued to adhere to the pacifist stand of the leaders of the Disciples while others joined in the preparations for war. The Disciples' fellowship was divided into "theoretical pacifists, practical neutralists, and militant Northern and Southern war hawks." Which group was most influential cannot be determined, but while many of the preachers North and South were urging non-participation, thousands of Disciples in both sections were enlisting in the armies.
For almost all of 1860, the religious journals of the Disciples remained silent on the conflict, but by 1861 editors were publishing appeals for moderation
and urging unity above all else.
In June, 1861, Alexander
Campbell urged Christians to avoid the war for the Christian is "not permitted to redress his wrongs by taking vengeance
upon the wrong- d o e r — he is to commit his cause to Him to whom vengeance belongs."
The dispute, Campbell said, was an honest difference of opinion concerning the rights and powers of governments over its citizens and the grievance should be settled without war. No true Christian,
Campbell states, "shall be found in the ranks of so unholy a warfare" but rather should "be peaceable and gentle towards all men.""
(Johnnie Andrew Collins. PACIFISM IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST: 1866-1945.
A dissertation presented to the Graduate Faculty of Middle Tennessee State Universityin partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor the degree Doctorate of Arts. December, 1984)
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