RESISTANCE IN ARMS--OBJECTIONS I Having stated the case for resistance, it will serve us to consider some objections.

Many inquiring minds may be made happy by a clear view of the doctrine, till some clever opponent holds them up with remarks on prudence, possibly sensible, or remarks on revolutionists, most probably wild, with, perhaps, the authority of a great name, or unfailing refuge in the concrete.

It is curious that while often noticed how men, trying to evade a concrete issue, take refuge in the abstract, it is not noticed that men, trying to avoid acknowledging the truth of some principle, take refuge in the concrete.

A living and pressing difficulty, though transient, looms larger than any historical fact or coming danger.

Seeing this, we may restore confidence to a baffled mind, by helping it to distinguish the contingent from the permanent.