John W. McGarvey, the respected scholar and preacher, wrote in the American Christian Review in April, 1861, that he would not change his feelings toward his brethren whether he remained with the Union or went with the Confederacy. Furthermore, if war did come, he would make every effort to keep his fellow Disciples from joining the war, even though the civil and military leaders might consider this act treason.
He closed the article with the statement of his belief:
"But I would rather, ten thousand times, be killed for refusing to fight, than to fall in battle, or to come home victorious with the blood of my brethren on my hands."
(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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