Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-07-21
Obscene Conversation.

Obscene Converse tfU1.
There il vet snoiEPr thing to which il
may, perhaps be protitable TO make an ap-
plication o, this subjecu; namely, obscene
conversation. The same essential truth
obtains ir the matter Of conversation. We
are cautioned ia Scripture against evil COM
municstiors in passing conversation, and
no pastor can have much acquaintance with
human life, who suppnses his flock 10 be
without need OF warning or ins ruction on
this point.
One Of the 6rst-truits of youthful evil
companinnship is disposition to employ
vulgar language. Now, vulgar is sign Of
vulgar feeling; if it be not in the first in
stance; il will in the end come to that
Ne man ever used vulgar language but his
soul also become vulgar, and once indulged
in, this habit grows rankly as weeds on
dunghill; and when person carries this
habit into manhood. he rms the risk OF
carrying it to his grave with him. When
it is fixed it is most difficult habit to cure.
Far worse is that state when vice becomes
the staple of wit; and men beguile the way
with shameless stories, and interline the
conversation with denominations. This is
the gangrene of the soul, and no man can
be pure who finds relishful pleasure in
such stories as these. The growth of this
is most rapid, and. like poisonous vine, il
spreads its roots; t climbs the trunk and
interlaces itself with oil the branches of the
tree, till, in the nran who cherishes this, the
whole life and conversation are harnesseJ.
woven, and netted with iustfuIness, and
utterly tainted by it. ] am sorry to say that
men who ihave the name of Christ upon
them. are also TO be found in this inquity
There is another most serious develop
meut of ,his evil, more subtitle and more
penetrating. nllnde TO what is generally
Supposed TO be refined, and to depend on the
imagery of wit; evil suggestions which
spring forth, subtitle in:imations which
vibrate like a serpents tongue and play
back and forth W ith double meaning which
grows only ihe more piquant if between the
sexes. In some persons this seems to be
an evil genius, existing by covert eugges-
tions at the very lowest things of life. This
is that which eats like a conker, and grows
by indulgence, and loaded with suggestions
that seem to ceme from the pit ITSELF
The beginnings of this evil in the young
are very insidious; there is no pure-lipped
boy who goes from home into life but hears
fhis-from his employers, perhaps, and
from men of good repute as Christians-in
violation of that delicacy 10 which he had
been carefully bred. ] had rather see an
OK put his foot upon the fair flower and
crush 1t to the ground, than to see the foul
fend Of example crush out the purity and
beauty of youth in the heart. If. there
fore, there come to the city pur-lipped boy,
whose cheeks know how no6ly to crimson;
if you have learned to view these things
without repugnance, and occasionally ven-
tnre some slight smiles of this evil, you are
under the plotuge of the devil, in the
channels of salacious pleasure. / say there
is nothing more vulgar and detestable than
this mode of expressing the very lowest
feelings in conversation. don't love TO
see the finest language made TO serve the
foulest demons Of all.
How noble, on the other hand, how noble
the example to lead on the maiden or youth,
and show them the evil of such expressions
which will pain the ear of all pure beings,
4. as the most hideous discords do the musicians
ear:
One other thing is certain; this is not
merely an external vice; the feelings you
give utterance to are the feelings growing
within you. By as much as you express
them, By So much you are cuiivating them.
If you are vuid of cffense hitherto, maintain
your integrity. If you have begun to tamp-
er with this evil, be warned in time and
draw back.
You can not use these forms of corrup-
tion and be itcorrupt yourself. Blessed are
the pure in spirit, blessed are the pur in lip;
blessed are they who think purity, who
Imagine purity, who love purity-they shall
zee God.
Now, my dear young friend, let me take
you by the hand, no matter where you are.
if YOU dwell in some vulgar family, or are
employed by some licentious patron; no
matter where you are, the more need you
have of the counsels of pastor to sustain
YOU in the right way. Avoid passion or
any expression of passion! Avoid irrever-
ence and profanity, and any expression of
irreverence. Avoid All corrupt feelings.
avoid that especially which cultivates them
immeasurably fast. God help you, if you
have gone out from your father and mother.
Who have you to look after you! Where
can you go at night except to that very circle
that will contaminate youl o, young man,
look after young men! o, young woman,
take care Of yonr sisters who have not your
advantages. Band yourselves together,
young men and maidens, and help each 9TH
er; and God help you all!-Henry Ward
Beecher.