Men have refused from purely conscientious motives, and have subsequently found themselves so miserable, from the neglect and contumely of the world, that they have _backslided_, and have fought to recover their place in society.

There have been some few--very few--who, having refused from conscientious motives, have adhered to these resolutions, because they feared God and not man.

There was more courage in their refusal than if they had run the gauntlet of a hundred duels; a moral courage which is most rare,--preferring the contempt of man to the wrath of God.

It is, however, the most trying situation on this side of the grave.
To refuse to fight a duel, is in fact to obey the stern injunction, "Leave all, and follow me." For my part, I never have and never will fight a duel, if I can help it.

I have a double motive for my refusal; in the first place, I am afraid to offend the Deity; and in the next, I am afraid of being shot.