Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-06-01
Fireside Department.
The Scofers Rebuke.

Years ago many people travelled
ON the Erie Canal in the packet
boats, which were drawn by horses
with long ropes. The boats moved
very slowly and smoothly over the
water. The passengers in the mar
row cabin were as near each other
as in a crowded room. All conver-
sation, even in low tones, was heard
very distinctly.
Among the quiet people in one
of these cabins in 1874 were some
Friends coming from yearly meeting,
and young Methodist preacher
and his wife. Besides these large
number of other passengers were
present. Of these,two profane men
we're very conspicuous who despised
religion. Their foul words were an
annoyance to many, and they talked
very loud. None seemed anxious
to make their acquaintance.
These two men sat down in the
center of the cabin, and related
slanderous stories to ridicule Chris
tians, and make a mock of sacred
things. No vice in social life, no
crime in the calendar of the courts,
could be named which they did not
charge upon the Christian religion.
One of them declared that profane
swearing was a Christian vice.
He said: '.No swearing is done
among the. heather. They only
learn to swear after missionaries
have taught them how. But in
Christian countries everybody swears.
So the more Christianity there is
the more people swear" Thus wick
ed!y they talked.
The young preacher at length qui-
etly addressed one of the men, when
the following dialogue ensued:
Sir, you are a Christian, ] be
lieveT' IN
aMe? Me sir? Oh, no. 1 beg
your pardon. | am not. Not |, in
deed. / am no such thing, thank
you.''
~You surprise me. | must have
misunderstood your remarks. And
vet l listened very attentively.
"What do you mean, sir: ! am
sure / don't understand you, sir.
VIII you explain?"
"Oh, yes, will explain with pleas
ure. You have entertained this
company for an hour with an essay
on the evils of the Christian relig
ion. You have proved clearly that
profanity and Christianity are insep;
arabic. The practice of swearing
proves, you say, the presence OF
Christian influence. And inferred,
by the same logic, that proficiency
in profanity was an exhibition of
Christian character. Now, sir, say
it without fattery, and refer to
the company for an Endorsement OF
my opinion, that you have done
more swearing on this boat for two
days past than all of us put together,
except your friend. | therefore
assumed that you were the most
Christian man in the crowd If l
have mistaken the facts, the fault is
in your logic.''
Sc Do-you-mean TO say-swear-
ing is wrong?'
The wrong of swearing is not
under consideration. But the truth
Of your argument is. And what
say you? Was your argument true?
Then you are a Christian. If you
are not Christian, then your state
ments1 1were false"
Well, swearing is bad practice
anyhow, and / beg your pardon for
the ofiense. 1f-
Then stammering some incoherent
words, he and his fellow withdrew
from the cabin, followed by the
undisguised merriment of the COM
pany
After that there was no more pro-
family nor ribaldry heard on the
boat. A more qniet pair of gentle
men was not to be found than the
noisy fellows of the two days previ-
Gus.
And thus was Illustrated a very
curious text in the Bible, which
some of my little nephews and
nieces may have seen. 1t is this:
" Answer fool according to his
folly, lest he be wise in his own con
ceit. lA-