The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-02-12
Profanity.

Miss Jane Howard was the daughter
of a very wealthy merchant residing in
the city Of Baltimore.
Her personal appearance was truly
prepossessing; but the graces OF her
mind, polished as it was by the graces
of a superior education, and the benev.
olence Of her naturally warm and vir.
tuous heart, rendered her an object
Of universal esteem and admira-
ton, among all with whom she was
Acquainted. At a very early age she
embraced the Christian religion, and
much other time vas spent in promo.
ting religious and benevolent objects.
In the fall Of 1928, Jane, with her Ell.
der brother, embarked on board a pack
ct for Charleston, South Carolina, for
the purpose of visiting their friends.
The Captain of the packet was a man
ofabout twenty-five years Of age. His
person was comely and his manners
agreeable. with the exception Of n
fault, too common among sailors, was
profane. The modesty of James ap-
pearance attracted his attention; he
gained an introduction to her by mean
of her brother, and was still more
charmed by the sweetness of her con-
versa,ion than he had been by the gra.
ces other person.
It was not long, however, before an
oath escaped his lips, which shocked
the delicate sensibility Of Jane.
She politely requested that he would
desist from such language while she re.
NAMED on board the vessel, to which
he Immediately consented with a deep
chagrin. During the remainder Of the
voyage the captains attention to Jane
was rather increased than diminished.
He spent much of his time in her
company, charmed and delighted with
the modesty other department, and the
fascinating spell other instructive con-
versation; but not another oath was he
heard to utter, until they arrived in
Charleston. They were now about to
part, but Jane, feeling no small interest
in the welfare Of one, whose unremitted
attentions more than indicated his so.
licitude for her own, ventured to ask if
he would grant her one request. The
with all the enthusiasm ofan in.
fatuated lover, replied, that whatever
request she vas pleased to make, ifpos-
sibly within his power, it certainly
be granted.
"Then," said she, "accept this bible,
my request is that you read a por-
ton Of it every day."
He felt surprised, but considering
he had given his promise, he felt bound
to fulfil it. In the fall Of 1888, Jane
went to spend the winter with her un-
Gle, who resided in New Orleans. The
first Sabbath after she arrived there,
she accompanied her uncle and his fam
lily to church, and heard a sermon Of
uncommon interest, delivered with Ell.
oquence and religious pathos.
The minister was evidently a man
Of superior talents;his voice deep-toned
and agreeable, though high-wrought
and beautiful.
He possessed, in fine, the rare faculty
Of claiming an audience in almost
silence from the commence
nsnt till the close OF his discourse. But
Jane, whose tender heart was SO ex-
susceptible on the subject of
religion, entered SO deeply into the
spirit Of the sermon that she entirely |
torgot for a time, the distance which
separated her from her friends, and all
he circumstances by which she was
,urrounded, with the exception of the
.olling sentences as they flowed from
he lips Of the speaker.
The meeting closed; and while Jane
ind her friends were waiting in their
Jew Tor the aisle to be cleared, the
,reacher came down from the pulpit
,dvanced towards, and addressed Jane
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