The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-06

n our public conveyances, In assemblies ofmen
upon the corners, and in the Exchange-when
the place Of business and even the home are
not tree from the pouuting influence of swear
ing--wben the boys and girls In our streets
oil the air with oaths, and when those whom
We employ teach children profane words--lt
Is time TO turn attention to this subject with a
degree Of earnestness which will show that
we are able to discern pestIlent vice which
surrounds and corupts all, especially the
young. Though bad enough when only occa-
sionally INDUCED In, yet the habit Of using
language conceded on all hands TO be unbe-
coming in Christian, or In any other man
claiming 10 be a gentleman, is far worse.
Swcarers are not often reached by the pulpit,
and If benefited, must be brought under the
influence Of associates who abhor profanity.
Little can ministers do or say that will bear
directly upon this sin; but a word spoken in
season by laymen to those who are thought
lessly irreVerent, may be the means Of reclaim
ing tbs most inveterate blasphemer. The
worst form Of this vice consists in impreca-
tlons-or the habit Of calling down curses on
ourselves or others. And, however great the
heat Of passion, however strong the provoca-
ton, however bitter the taunts and reproaches
heaped upon us, whatever the wrong that has
been endured, there can be no excuse for the
commission Of this crime. 1t appears as though
more prayers TO Con were offered In our
streets by the hardened ard the reckless, than
In the closets Of Christians.
We can scarcely cross the thresholds Of our
doors without having our ears shocked by
the petitions ofthe profhne, asking God TO curse
them, or others, and to send their souls to per-
ditiOD. For every oath that falls from the lips
Is prayer to heaven, and whether sincere or
lnsincere, whether uttered thoughtlessly or
coOlly, in the heat df passion or with delibera-
tion, cannot prove harmless, or escape the ear
of Him whose name is taken in vain. To say
that we do not mean what our lips utter, Is idle.
If man would not consign himself or others
to hell, why pray for thisp But Gods law is
broken when His name Is used irreverently,
even in light and familiar discourse.
And there are thousands who would abhor
the thought Of uttering an oath, who are
guilty of using words which are not in accord
ance with Scriptural morality. The name Of
the Almighty should never be uttered care
lessly; He should never be frivolously In
voked TO attest the truth Of our declarations;
we should not seek to point a jest, to give
emphasis to our language, or to startle those
with whom we converse, with an oath, for
God has forbidden it. And he who reflects
upon the greatness, the majesty, the goodness,
and the mercy Of God--that His glory fills all
space, and even the highest in heaven veil
their faces In His presence, cannot but con-
template Him with awe, and recognize at once
the terrible nature Of blasphemy.
1t is well to desire that Gods blessing shall
rest upon ourselves and upon our friends, and
well to resolve inwardly that we will endeavor
to do all things, relying upon Gods help; but
IL is an inexcusable habit to make Gods name
q by-word, and to use it on all trifing occa-
sions. The commonness of this sin does not
detract from its enormity; and because some
In high places Of trust are base enough to in
terlard their familiar discourse with oaths, we
| should not hesitate to discountenance and
rebuke the crime. AS good old bishop has
said-"I beseech you, Christians, consider,
that we are not to weigh sins by the
opinions of men, but by the censure and
sentence of God; He hath no more allowed
you to take His name in vain than He has
to blaspheme it; the irreVerent using Of it
is as expressly forbidden as the abjuring
and cursing oft; and when the law of God
has not dispensed with US, it Is most intoler
able presumption that we should dare to
dispense with ourselves"