Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-08-25
SDorctster:
SUPPRESSION OF PROFANITY.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST e5, 1924.

SUPPRESSION OF PROFANITY.
The inhabitants of the Central District in
this town having adopted efficient measures
TO improve the System of Education in their
public Schools, became solicitous to extend a
general and salutary inspection over the NOR
ais and manners of youth and children, and
in special TO prevent their using profane and
lewd language in the streets and elsewhere.
In pursuance Of printed notification, they
held a meeting on the 7th inst. On serious
elaboration the purpose was deemed to be of
vital importance-a Committee of five was
chosen to consider the whole subject, and re-
port what measures might be adopted with a
promise of success-and the meeting was adj
journed to the 10th. At the adjournment the
Committee made the following Report, which
was unanimously accepted. The meeting
wat attended by individuals of every profess
sion and pursuit in the District, and com
mon disposition was manifested to use person
al and united endeavours to carry the Reso-
lutions into full effect.
REPORT.
The Committee TO whom it was re-
ferred to consider what measures are
properto be adopted TO restrain the use
ofprofane and le5ud language by children
and youth in this village, have bestowed
that serious reflection upon the subject,
which its Importance and interest emf
nently demand. They find great
cause, in common with all moral and
conscientious men, deeply to lament the
prevalence Of a vice which strikes most
fatally at the foundation of social and re-
ligious obligation, and which, at the
same time that it threatens the peace
and good order of the community, de-
teats the hope of individual respecta-
bility and happiness.-There is reason
TO fear, that an habitual indulgence in
this idle, vulgar and wicked practice d.
rectly tends to familiarity with vice of
every description, inasmuch as it relaxes
the tone of moral sentiment destroys the
reverence which created beings owe to
the author of their existence and enjoy
ment, and impairs that high sense of &C
countability, which is the most certain
bond to fidelity in all the concerns Of
this life, and in preparation for flu
ture and final retribution. Our ven
cradle and pious ancestors were so
strongly impressed with apprehensions
Of the pernicious tendency of habits of
profanity. that in all the institutions Of
government, and the ordinances of their
adoption, they had direct reference to
the preservation of pure and chssi
manner and conversation in the common
and ordinary intercourse Of society. By
precept and example in themselves,
and by the sanction of civil authority in
the laws OK their enactment, they as
scrupulously guarded against the cor
ruption Of evil communications, as the
more daring excuses Of crime; and it is
probably as much owing to this elevated
regard for the moral condition of the
people, and the meanse they so jealous
Iy adopted TO inculcate sentiments Of
virtue and piety in their children, as tC
their personal fortitude under privation
and heroism in danger, that we are il
lhe present enjoyment Of civil liberty
and the highest blessings which can re-
suit from personal security, and nationa
peace and independence. II may be use
full and attended with some good impress
sions on this occasion, to trace the meas
ures of authority which from time tc
time have been adopted on this impor
taut subject.
Early in the settlement of the coun
try it was ordered by the Court of the
Colony that # any person should sveal
rashy or Dainly, By the holy name Of Coo
or other Goth, or should be guilty Of pro
fame or wicked cursing Of any perso" OF
creature, he should incur certain pecu
mary penalties, and he SHOULD be IN
able OF refuse to pay, he should BE-
committed to the stccks, or zchipt, Of
committed to prison-In 1892, undel
the prOvincidI government this ordi
nance was re:enacted, with some alter
ations in the penalties, which we're. alst
made applicable to the vice of drunken
ness; and any Justice Of the Peace wa
authorized to convict Of these offence
upon his personal view or knowledge
of their commission. Again, in 1734
an act was passed, which in its pream
bic, assuming that the penalties before