Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-16
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.
oATHs THEIR MORAL CHARACTERS,
AND EFFECTs.--By iona. DymOnd.


AND EFFECTS.--By iona. DymOnd.
An Oath is that whereby we call God
10 witness the truth Of what we say, with
Curse upon ourselves, either implied OF
expressed, should it prove false" F..
Snpposing the Christian scriptures to
contain no Information respecting the NOR,
al character Of oaths, how far is it rea-
sonable, or prudent or reverpnt, FIR 4 man
to stake his salvation upon the truth oil
what he says2 To bring forward so tire.
mendous al event as "everlayting de true
ton from the presence of the Lord" in
atsstation of the offence perhaps Of a
poacher, or of the claim to field, is su5e-
yto make unwarrantably light Of most
awful things. This consideration applies,
even If man is sure that he speaks the
truth but who is, beforehand, sure Of this?
Olths in evidence, for example, are taken
b,fore the testimony is givsn. A person
svears that be viii speal; the truth. Who,
j ask, is sure thai be will do this! Who
is sure that the embarrassment of public
examination, that the eusnaring questions
OF counsel, that the secret influence of
Inclination or interest, viii not occasion
him to utter one Inaccurate expression?
Who, a, any rate, is 81 sure Of this, that
it rational. or justifable, specifically to
stake his salvation upon his accuracy?
Thousands Of honest men have been mis-.
taken; their allegations have been sim
cere, bat untrue. And if this should be
thought not legitimate objection, let it
BE- remembered, that few mems minds are
so steruly upright, that they can answer
a variety of questions upon subjects on
which their feelings, and wishes and in
trrrst are involved, without some little
deduction from the truth, in speaking Of
matters that are against their cause, or
some lille overlooking of facts in their
own favor. Its a circumstances of con-
slant occurrenca, that even a well-inen-
toned witness adls to or deducts little
from the truth Who then, amidst sach
tenptatjon, would make, who ought to
mike. his hope Of heaven dependent on
his strict adherence to accurate veracity?
And IL such considerations indicate the
,inipropriety Of swearing upon subjects
which affect the lives, and liberties, and
uroperty of others, how shall we estimate
| the inpropriety of using these dreadful
impreeations 70 attest the delivery of a
snmmons for debt Of half crownl !"
These are moral Objections 10 the use
Of oalhs independently Of any reference
| TO the direct moral law. Another objec-
ton Of the same kind is this To take an
oath is TO assume that the Deity will be.
come a party in the cass,--that we car
call upon Him, when we please, 10 follow
up, bythe exercise Of His almighty pow
or. the contracts (often the very insignif.
can. contracts) which men make with
men. Is 1t not irrevsrent, and for that
reason immoral. to call npon Hin to ex-
ercise this power in reference TO subjects
whichare so Insignificant that other men
will scarcely listen with patience to their
details7 ~ ..., ..-
Upon every subject Of questionabl,
rectitude that is sanctioned by habit ant
the usnQes Of society, a person should
place himself in the independent situation
Of an inquirer. He should not seek 70
arguments to defend an existing practice
but should simply inquire what our prac
tice ought to be. One OF the most pow
erful causes of the slow amendment o
public Institutions, consists in this circum
stance, that most men endeayor rather t
Justify what exists than TO consider whelh
er Il ought to exist or not, This caus,
operates upon the question Of oaths. w
therefore invite the reader, IN considerin:
the citation which follows. to suppos
himself 10 be one OF the listeners at th
mount.--to know nothing OF the custom
Of he present day, and 70 have no desir
to Justify them.
aYehsve heard that it hath been sal
bv them. Of old time. Thou shalt not fol
swear myself. but shalt perform unto n
Lord thine oalhs. But say unto yo'
Swear not at all: neither by heaven, fc
Il is God Is throne; nor by the earth, fc
il is his footstooh neither by Jerusalem, fc
il is the city Of the Great King. Neitht
shalt thou swear By thy head, becan:
thou canst not make one hair white {
black. But let your communication !
yea Yea. nav nav; for whatsoever is MOI
than these. cometh of evil."t -.
II person should take a New Test
ment, and read these words to ten irtell
gent Asntics who had never heard I
them before. does any man believe that
single individual OF them would thin
4. Mil,,n. Christian Doctrine. p. 67e. s IL,
= WaI|haup - 10-II sE..