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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
truth in these things. And yet a national fast is proclaimed! Saith the
Lord: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go
free, and that ye break every yoke?” When our nation observes the
fast which God has chosen, then will He accept their prayers as far as
the war is concerned; but now they enter not into His ear. He turns
from them, they are disgusting to Him. It is so managed that those
who would undo the heavy burdens and break every yoke are placed
under censure, or removed from responsible stations, or their lives are
planned away by those who “fast for strife and debate, and to smite
with the fist of wickedness.”
I was shown that if the object of this war had been to exterminate
slavery, then, if desired, England would have helped the North. But
England fully understands the existing feelings in the Government,
and that the war is not to do away slavery, but merely to preserve
the Union; and it is not for her interest to have it preserved. Our
Government has been very proud and independent. The people of
this nation have exalted themselves to heaven, and have looked down
upon monarchical governments, and triumphed in their boasted liberty,
while the institution of slavery, that was a thousand times worse than
the tyranny exercised by monarchial governments, was suffered to
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exist and was cherished. In this land of light a system is cherished
which allows one portion of the human family to enslave another
portion, degrading millions of human beings to the level of the brute
creation. The equal of this sin is not to be found in heathen lands.
Said the angel: “Hear, O heavens, the cry of the oppressed, and
reward the oppressors double according to their deeds.” This nation
will yet be humbled into the dust. England is studying whether it is
best to take advantage of the present weak condition of our nation,
and venture to make war upon her. She is weighing the matter, and
trying to sound other nations. She fears, if she should commence war
abroad, that she would be weak at home, and that other nations would
take advantage of her weakness. Other nations are making quiet yet
active preparations for war, and are hoping that England will make
war with our nation, for then they would improve the opportunity to be
revenged on her for the advantage she has taken of them in the past and
the injustice done them. A portion of the queen’s subjects are waiting
a favorable opportunity to break their yoke; but if England thinks it