Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-11-07

MAINTAIN your Fahk VuiSdfity detpife
lol1oearls nelihcf brave, polite, nor wife
yam would moi iwelr upon the ocd Of death
Reject your Maker now could top your breath.
The excellent Mr.. Howe being at dine
ner with some persons of fashion, a gen.
tie man expatlated largely in praise Of King
Charles introducing harsh reflections up.
on. Others, Mr., Howe observing that he
mixed many horrid oa,hs with hisdisccurse,
told him thai, in his handle opinion, he
had omitted singular excellence in the
character of that prince. Phe gentleman
eagerly desired him TO mention it., and
seemed aHimpatience to know what it was.
1t was this sir said Mr.. Howe ne
was never heard TO swear an oa,h In cons
mon conversation The hint was as po-
htely received as g,veus; and the gentle.
man promised TO break off the practice
The same Mr.. Howe, once conversing
with, ,bleman in ST. James's Park, who
swors profanely in his conversation, ex.
pressed great satisfaction in the thought,
that thereis COD who governs the world,
who will finally make retribution to all
according to their works ands who. my
lord, added he, will make difference be-
tween him that syeareth, and him that fear
eth an cash. His lordship Immediately
answered, thank you sir, for your free
dom take your meaning, and shall en-
deavor 70 make good use of IT, Mr.. II.
replied, | have good reason to thank
your lordshipfor saving me TIE mos, diff
6cult part of discourse, which is the GbbA-
cation.
Another time, passing two persons of
quality, who were taking with great eager.
ness, and damned each other repeatedly
Mr.. H. said TO them, taking off his bat IN
respectful manner pray Con save
you both for which handsome reproot,
they immediately returned HIM thanks.
The truly honorable Mr.. Boyle, as emf.
nent for philosophy as for morality, was SO
careful to avoid this profane custom, tina.
he never mentioned the name of Con in bis
conversation, withaut making an obserya.
pause pause before ii, hat so he might both
feels diffuse among the company the vene.
ration due to the sacred majesty OF the uni
verse.
The brave Col. Gardiner took pains to
prevent swearing in his regiment, at the
head of which be would publicly declare
his abhorrence of 1t, urging all the officers
to avoid giving, by their example, any ssnc-
ton to crime, which IT was their duty to
punish. A number Of military geHlr men
once dined with him at his own house,
when he addressed them with much res.
pect, and begged leave TO remind them,
that as he was justice of the peace in
that district, he was bound by oath to put
the laws against swearing 10 execution; and
therefore intreated them to be upon their
guard Only one Of the gentlemen offend.
ed on that day, who Immediately paid the
penalty, whlch was given TO the poor with
the appreciation of all the company.
A moments calm considerations will con.
vince any rational person of the improPri.
ETY. of this custom, which is inexcusabls,
irrational, vulgar, and profane.
1t is mexcusQ6e. There is less tempta-
ton to this vice than to any other. Some
vices are excused bv calling them constitu-
tional; but as Archbishop Tillotson OBJ
serves, :. no man is born with swearing
constitution II cannot procure credit 10
40 assertion, because it is oftener used to
confirm rash or doubtful saying, than a
plain truth. 'Fhe man who swears seems
to doubt his own velaclty. and well many
others suspect it; for. how can we bellye he
will be true TO man who is false. to God !?
Besides, the custom of swearing to truths
may iusensibly lead man to swear false
hoods. Persons addicted to this practice
scarcely know when they swear and some,
when reproved fer it, have sworn that they
did not swear.
its irrational Wbas greater proof of lupid
ignorance cnbr given than to utt vosds with.
out meaning? Yoa call upon God, checking to
tepeat) to damn yoay syes-.ygar dlood-1Sar Joais.