Henry Grew, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, "to the Friends of Righteousness and humanity to convene at West Chester on the 25th inst.," October 23, 1861

Abstract

Henry Grew, Phila[delphia], [Pennsylvania], "to the Friends of Righteousness and humanity to convene at West Chester on the 25th inst." Regrets thta he cannot attend the abolitionist meeting; hopes God will guide the convention; afraid that "the Temptor" will turn them from a "right end" and make them use "wrong means"; God may use the Civil War to bring about abolition, but he may allow wicked men to accomplish this; the faithful are obligated to not support the war if it is not a "right measure to accomplish a right end"; the war is not just because it seeks merely to restore the pre-war government that allowed slavery; support for a government that merely prevents the extension of slavery is not enough; even if the ends are right [i.e. total abolition], war is still wrong; God's command of "thou shalt not kill" applies to soldiers as well; ministers who leave the pulpit and accept commissions are hypocrites; God's weapons are sufficient to defeat slavery. 4 pages