The Portland daily press., 1881-10-14
TIE PRESS.
The Hard w ords.
Some Remarks About Skipping Them.

Tasorge May Powell in the Christian Unionl
The prevalence of the vice of profanity in
cur country is really alarming. Ladies on
public highways and in public conyeyances,
are subjected TO having their sensibilities
shocked by it toan extent that is painful in the
extreme.
In like manner, children and youths are
made liable to having their souls SCARED by
oaths flying around them which are literally
darts of the devil. Damage may often thus be
done to the Jewels of the homes ofour country,
compared to which the loss sustained by the
parents of Charlie Ross will one day De seen 10
have been slight. A contagion may thus take
effect which had far better been smallpox or
scarlatinsi
Remedy OF this evil seems difficult Apple
cation of the civil law, which in most states
makes swearing a Unable offense, seems usual
ly to be inadyisable. 1t is good rule, howev-
ar. that ''nothing will be done unless some
body tries" The press, both secular and relig-
ious should in the future, even more than in
the past. call attention to this fact. Profanity
is against the laws of the land, aud against the
laws OF good society. Therefore those who
find themselves practicing it have cause to in
quire if they can do so and yet consider them
selves good eitize IS, or even entitled to be
called gentlemen.
We know good men who have seen SO much
of the world that their ears have become dull
TO this horrible vice. Though disappearing it,
they hardly notice it when only casually hear
inc il. To us, however, it is always aud only
, main to which we are keenly alive. We
have almost sickening remembrance of hear
ing Turkish boatmen swearing at each other in
English as their swift crafts passed each other,
cutting the waters of the bay of Alexandra.
A friend of ours once succeeded in so pre-
-eenting this point of its being painful to him
and TO others TO stage passenger VINO nad
been torturing them by his profanity, that the
offender offered apuSlic and hearty apology
to all present.
We have often spoke kindly and in quiet
tones to those who were swearing. Almost
without exception, they have received the re-
proof in the same spirit in which 1t WAS given.
The whispered words, Skip the hard words
please" coupled With kiRdly, quiet glance Of
the eye, has almost always conquered. We
have had this experience among rough men
and sometimes in wild, dangerous places. IL
has thus also been the entering wedge almost
- often of q word or two of invitation to join
Among the Cases of the latter kind which we
have IN MIND was that of a stage driver on the
frontier We sat beside him on his high seat.
The twilight was rpidly deepening. Dark
clouds, necessarily cut by vivid lightning
were rolling up, and peals of such magnificent
&hunder as is seldom heard except in the far
West, were reverberating in the air. The driv-
er was a kind hearted, sociable fellow, but
there was an intensity and frequency OF his ut
tersnce of oaths positively unique. We might
a. fn 60
enthusiastically profane. Our admiration OF
horses, especially of his splendid fourth
hand" was genuine, and won the way to his
heart. We finally asked him, in an easy, off
hand way to please obhge us By skipping
the hard cords. He promptly both thanked
us and made apology, cordially volunteering
the admission that it was all wrong. He was
then ready for talk about mother, home, and
heaven. He promised to use Bible his moth
er had given him on his leaving home. and to
attend religious instead OF baI-room services;
also 10 read any good papers We should send
him. We took his address, and afterwards
mailed him reading matter, which we hope has
cultivated the good seed sown.
Another case was in crowded street-car in
Philadelphia en- route to the great centennial
exposition. The profanity of one of the passen-
gers, who was considerably under the influence
Of liquor, was so terrible and loathsome as to
cause expressions of pain on the faces OF all the
ladies within earshot. Words of disapprobation
were heard also from Dobn ladies' anu genIi6-
men Some of the latter said-S0tt0 Uoce-"he
ought 10 be put out Of the car" He looked.
however, like man TO make violent work if
that were attempted. Soon companion of his
expressed a wish which we overheard, to know
the time of day. We promptly consulted the
watch and gave the desired information This
opened the way for pleasant word with both
parties. Then, leaning over, we whispered in
the ear of the troublesome one to know is a ia
vor might be asked without giving offense
That granted, the request was made to omit
words that gave Us pain. There was not anoth-
or rough word from that man On the trip. He
and his associate soon followed this act of po
likeness by giving their seats to ladies who had
long been standing. aud by their listening to
she suggestion we all may fiud how wisdom &
ways@ are those of pleasantness.
The military orders of both Washington and
Lincoln against the PROCLAMATION of the day or
name of the Most High are well known Also
the testimonies of many others of the great
men OF the world.
Mr.. Nye of Maine assures us that he is coup
Hog an anti-protanity pledge with his temper
Rnce work among children. He has thus led
1900 of the lambs in the green pastures and
beside the still waters of truth ON this great
subject. No doubt many dear boy who has
taken this pledge finds it as the years pass on,
. barrier to bad beginnings of sad ends.