The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-29
For the Daily Press:
Profane Swearing

-~~~-~S
That there is fearful amount of open, un-
blushing profanity in the city of Portland,
every day, few, If any, will dare to deny. 1t
Is more especially noticeable among our youth
YOUNG MEN end BOYS. 1t is not confined
to any one section of the city, but may be
heard In all the streets, wherever the youth
happen to meet for pastimes. 1t has been my
privilege to visits great many cities in differ
ent parts of the world. but must say that in
open, reckless, profane swearing in the streets,
particularly among the youth, Portland seems
to surpass them all The cause or causes OF
this state Of things. do not know and do
not propose to investigate. 3 Whether this city
stands first, second, or third on the profane
List, one thing is clear; the crime is awfully
prevalent, and ought II possible, to be check
ed and rooted out. ae ssae 5 IS -sest
Few vices do more to corrupt and ruin the
moral character of the young than this. 1t
obliterates "the fear of God" from the heart.
Show me boy, or young man, addicted to
to the use Of profdne language, and will
show you one who will utter faisehocd when
1t may suit his convenience ,and might, per-
haps, be persuaded to do some other wicked
| things. As he grows older, he will probably
60 from bad to worse, until his conscience
has been scared as with a hot iron, and he is
ripe for any crime. assssl3 essoS
Some one, perhaps, may ask-What can be
done to check this evil-and perhaps remove
it from the community? Ia reply, allow me
to suggest few things which may have sal
utary influence. s53W
& l.. ALI parents, wishing well to their chill
dren, should endeavor to ascertain how it is
with their own sons. That dear boy of yours
may have fallen into bad company. Already
he may be very profane and you know it not.
If you find to your establishment that it is
even so, act wisely, and do what you can, by
instruction and example and the use Of par
entail authority, to correct the evil and save
| the lad before it shall be too late. hasa
2. would suggest, with all Difference, that
ministers of the Gospel, of every name and
denomination in the city, take up the subject,
and preach q. least one good, thorough, faith
full sermon on the third com mandment Of the
Deca1ogue. In regard to the nature and infu-
esce of profanity they will all doubtless think
alike, however they may differ about some
other things. If they could, by some means,
have an understanding as to the time, and so
all strike together, the influence would be all
the more posoeytul. At any rate, let every
man who has pulpit and congregation,
blow his trumpet and do his duty.
Al.
Sabbath Schools of the city have solemn re-
sponsibility resting on them in this case, from
which they cannot be discharged. They are
bound to speak out faithfully to all who come
under their influence. 1t seems Incredible,
but am told, on what ! deem reliable au-
othority, that there are teachers in some of the
Sabbath Schools Of Portland, who are also
profane swsarers and members of churches
Can this be so? II is somebody's duty 10
search diligently and see. i9,ss hisa o 3. y.
In like manner all teachers in the public
schools have duty to discharge in this case,
from which they cannot be excused. This is
no sectdridn matter Here all WHO profess
to take the Scriptures for their guidesmust be
of one mind. OF course the School Commit
tee viii fully and heartily sanction the efforts
OF teachers in this direction. t,-s.v
5. Why should not the city authorities
take this matter in hand--speak word on
the subject, and direct the Police to put a
stop to the utterance of profane language in
the streets? Such movement would be an
HONOR to the city OF Portland. The State Of
Maine has good and wholesome laws on this
subject-why should they not be executeds
Let Portland set an example to all the cities
of the Sssta and nation.
~ no =. Ysso1ss, proaCG5rs, teacners III oaU-
bath Schools and public schools, and the City
Fathers will take the subject in hand, and do
,ohat they can, a great and good work will
soon be accomplished. re- HARBERToN.
April 1855. dsiaM