Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-04
4 PROBLEM,

PROBLEM,
Stated to Swearer by Clergyman.
Clergyman. You appear to be a man
Of information, and capable Of assign.
ing good reason for what you say or
do; permit me to ask for an answer to
a certain problem.
Sweuer. Sir; shall be happy to rer-
der you any information which is in my
power. Will you state your problem.
G The problem is simply this, Sir,
What indacemen has the s,cearer 10 take
the name of God in vain:-7Ae liar pleads,
as a motive and inducemenr, the ad-
vance of his temporal interests. The
unchaste person pleads, as motive and
excuse, the force of the passions.-We
rob5er pleads distress, as his motive and
excuse.-Ne murderer pleads the vio-
lence of temper, as an excuse for the
preparation of his crime, But none Of
these motives or excuses, insufficient
as they are, can be urged by the swear
er; yet, what makes the problem more
difficult Of solution is, that by ss0earing,
man does not strengthen our conf
dence in his word, but rather weakens
it; for always observe that mans
word is doubted when he begins to
swear, By s,cearing, he does not prove
himself to be gentleman all men adj
nit that it is an ungentlemanly prac.
tice: nor is there any one advantage to
be gained BY it. Are you able to throw
any light on the subject, which may
Justify or excuse the breaking posi-
tive command Of God
S perceive Sir, the point of your
remarks, and thank you for this faith
full reproof, in which yon have s!iewn
me the folly of a practice, to which, I
am sorry 70 say, have been addicted.
| must confess there is no inducements
20 the swearer to swear, and by the
reasoning which you have introduced,
| must admit that. as far as the viola
ton of.the command of God is con-
cerncd, the swearer is equally guilty
with the liar, the unchaste, the rob5er,
Or the murderer Nay, even more SO
as be not only swears withouta motive
or inducement, but against strong per-
sonal motives and inducements.
| trust, Sir, shall be more careful in
future.
Reader! what do you think Of this
problem, can you answer it Do you
think it impertinent, and therefore re-
solve 10 throw this paper away, and
Danish it from your mind But what
will you do, when the Judge, at the last
day. shall call upon you to answer for
violating his command, and treating
lightly his holy name /; can you then
Danish it from your mind? And what,
if you cannot; will you then call upon
the rocks and mountains to fall upon
you, that they may hide you from the
power Of the Judge? What will be your
next resort Will you attempt to meet
the eye of your judge, and dare TO des-'
pise his authority But what If just
then it should be sounded in your ears
-"This man often prayed for the dam.
nation Of his soul, and now his prayer
is answered; bind him, therefore, hand
and foot, and cast him into outer dark
ness, where there is weeping, and wal
ling, and crashing Of teeth" All,
through eternity you will bitterly curse
your folly! Come then, whilst it is
day of mercy, and repent of all your
transgressions flee to the Saviour, seek
for pardon through his precious blood;
lest inieuity should prove your ruin.
One of the French provincial jour
nails giving few details respecting the
fair Of Beaucaire, relates the following
order of the police:-"No coffee-hodse
keeper or limonadier, either in the fair
or in the town, will be permitted to ex-
pose. at the counter or otherwise, for
the purpose Of attracting visitors, any
woman, except his own lawful wife, up
on penalty Of heavy fne."
SENSIBLE OLD BACHELOR.
A rich old fellow being asked, why
he did not marry, replied, "be'ause l
have no inclination for old ,con,en, and
you,,g ,comen have no inclination for me-