The Columbian fountain., 1846-10-31
PRoFANE SWEARING.

The following is from the pen of Steele. who
wrote many clever pieces. We indulge the
hope that our pains in transcrbing and repub
fishing il, may lead some who are accustomed
10 this foolish practice, TO abandon il al once.
- wrnl TO a common swearer; never was
creature so puzzled as myself, when came
FIRST TO view his brain; half OF il was worn Out
and filed up with mere expletives, that had no
thing 10 do with any other parts OF the texture;
therefore, when he called for his clothes in the
morning, he would cry. John = John does
,,g not answer .What plague Nobody there!
! What the devil, and rot me. John, for lazy
dog as you arep know no way TO cure him.
bur by writing down all he said one morning
as he was dressing, and laying il before him
on the toilet when he came to pick his teeth.
The last recital gave him of what he said for
half an honr was--( here follows his sv oahs
and imprecalions) When he came TO the
glass he takes up my note--'Ha! this fellow
is worse than !; what, does he swear with pen
!" and ink - But reading on, he found them 10
be his own words. The slratagem had so good
an effect upon him, that he grew Immediately
a new man, and is learning to speak without
an OATH. which makes him exceedingly short
in his phrases; for, as observed before, com
mon swearer has brain without any idea on
K the swearing side; therefore he has mighty
little to say, and is forced to substitute some
other vehicle Of nonsense to supply the defect
Of his usual explelives. When ! left him, he
made use Of 'Odsbodikins Oh me and, new
er stir alive!' and so forth; which gave me
hopes Of his recovery"
1t is really disgusting in passing along our
avenues and streets to hear the oahs of some
who call themselves respectable youths, and
yet group together in the public thoroughfares
to entertain each other with their wicked
speeches. And what is worse than all. they
use the name Of their Creator in very awful
connections, and besides, at times, expressions
Of great indecency. They seem to think
this makes them appear manly, but The truth
is, no gentleman will swear, nor love TO hear
others thus 'nouthing the heavens with impu-
II rity, H Ell faH .gs.ll M as.i
a L We have thought that if these gentry could
but ssee themselves as others see them,' or
uttered in the course Of single day, they
would become, Gas they oughD heartily
ashamed of such nrofany. ueHeral wash
ington, il is said, would not permit one of his
N soldiers to swear, but now the city he laid out
\ is often de6led with this odious vice. 1t is a
pity that young men should 80 far mistake
themselves, as to suppose they add to their
. dignity by such exhibitions Of depravity. Il is
hoped they will remember that the God who
has said she will by no means clear the guilty.
has also commanded, thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain, for will
\ not hold him guless that taketh my name in
vain;' and the Saviour fully confirms this COM
i mand by his comment when he says i say uuto
b youswEAR NOT AT ALL; neither by heaven, for it
L is Gods throne; nor by the earth, for 1t is his
footstooi neither by Jerusalem, for it is the
city Of the great King; neither shalt thou
swear by thy head, for thou canst not make
one hair white or black. But let your commu-
nication be, Yea. yea; Nay nay; for whatsoe-
yer is more than these -cometh Of evil Let
!. a man speak the ruth habi,ually; profanity has
nothing TO do with veracity.