The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-03-25
NO. 49s.

simply because their heads arc empty. No
toriously those who swear most are those who
think least. Such are stage drivers, and
men who lounge about tayerns, stupid and
drunken. They will sit in the sun, and doze
for half day without the faintest twinkle Of
an idea in their heads. yet when the stage
drives up, they feel called upon to make some
remark, and as they have nothing TO say,
what can they do but swearl Who has not
heard the most disgusting oaths poured out
when there was nothing which called for any
remark
Among men Of higher standing in socie-
ty, protane swearing 10 almost always screen
for ignorance and vulgsrity. Men without
brains swear to make intenseness of exprcs-
sion conceal the poverty Of ideas. Wenever
knew brilliant conversational who resorted
to profane language.
Some try TO apologize for this habit by
making light of it. Oaths, say they, arc
only exclamation points, used to give intensi-
ty to language. They are tho natural out
burst of strong passion, and to be condemned
gently as thing which men cannot always
restrain. Werc this true, that men utter
oaths and imprecations only when borne a
way by uncomfortable passion. then, though
we could not justify it, we might extenuate
the guilt by pleading excitement of mind =
But ordinary swearing is remarkably COOL
1t is more often used in sport than in anger.
1t IS not only when men are mad with rage
that they take Gods name in vain. But they
swear with little motive, or with no motive
at all. They swear for mere pastme, o, idle
ness.
Others who use profane language will some
times say as half apology, 1t is habit
We do it without thinking. We mean no
evil. Well, grant it is habit. 1t is a vile
habit, of which they ought to be heartily
ashamed. So stealing is a habit among
thieves. Lying is habit. Some persons
are very much in the habit of defrauding
their creditors, and Others of getting drunk.
Yet what is thought of such characters p
But how came they to form such q habit p
There must have been some weak spot in their
Strong men do not form habits
without knowing il. At least if they de-
plore this vicious custom, why do they not
set themselves rcsolutely to break it9
1t is hardly possible to estimate the mis-
chief OF this single vice. 1t breaks down all
reverence for the Supreme being. 1t extin-
guishes the feeling Of religious obligation.-
He who takes the name of God in vain will
soon throw off all restraint. 1t will root out
Of his breast the last vestige of natural piety.
1t interfcres with domestic government. Ir-
reverence to God is quickly followed by dis
respect to parents. Children who will swear
will do almost anything else that is bad.
Profaneness rapidly pollutes the whole
1t wears away fineness and deli
cacy of feeling and of language. 1t leads to
vulgarity Of conversation and manners. So
lniformaly is this the case that we can not
hear stranger use profane language without
instantly setting him down as low and foul
nouthed man. Profaneness is naturally as
'ociated with other vices. Obscene language
eads to licentous conduct. "A reckless swear
'r is easily led on to be drunkard or gamb-
er. Of course it is one of the most fatal
means of corrupting society. 1t is now rapid
y vulgarizing many communities once famed
or their good order and piety. 1t is running
he young men of the nation, and threatens
o deluge the land with infdelity and every
orm of wickedness.