Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-03-31

Temperance in all things is to be commend
ed, but even at mans best estate something
is wanting to level the beam in every indi-
vidual character That there is u vast differ
cnce in the approximation TO the standard
rules Of morality and tho Christian virtues ia
the lives and conduct Of men is apparent.
Human nature requires a severe discipline,
that the will, the ncinations and the action
may reflect honor upon the Author Of rational
being. To euumerats the vices into which
man has fallen would be too proliX, if mott iiH
possible.
The vice Of intemporance, as commonly un-
darstood aud applied to the use of intoxcat-
ing drink, IN lamentable in lis results but
while this vice stands out upon the great pic
turo Of life with all Of its d,testablc putridity
there is another evil far outreaching it in au-
dacity, in bascncss and in its insulting char
actcr towards God and Christian oviliza-
ton, and that is profanity-tho profane use
Of that Name high over all the noble and ig-
noble names Il earth, the great First Cause
Of finite and infinite, the being whom we
call God. Although it stands as a crile upon
the statute. book, the law is really dead let
N'As We Allhh IL ~ Hhlt W hlili III Allhl ib NiNt
that darkens humanity is so rarely rebuked 10y
Press or Pulpit as that Of profanity, either
from Il lack Of comprehension Of It's depravity,
or from fear Of displeasing the sensitive or
the popular ear. without a peradveuture it
may be assumed that any person who should
habitually insult the name Of Washington, Of
Lincoln or of Garfield, in the disrespectful
and irreyerent manner TO speak mildly in
which the name of God is used, would be the
object of the just indignation Of an outraged
people; yet men whose tongues are covered
with the slime of profanity walk boldly at
midday, respected and revercd in the ranks
of social refinement Legislators and states.
men, who are the defenders Of the inalienablc
rights Of man, indicators Of the grandeur Of
republics. and who recognize the Supreme
Power as embracing ALL supporting, ruling
Ger" often descend to the low plane of pro-
fame vulgarity in moods of passion insult holy
aspirations, reyerent benedictious, aud the
Eternal One whose presence bright all space
doth occupy, all motion guide
'Man most migrate! so full Of grace to slu!~
How often parents instruct their children,
by constant example, in the use Of irreverent,
profaue language aud children reflect the
habits Of their profane exemplars. No other
voice but that Of man, in all the realm Of life
and beauty, in all the varied year, in sky, on
earth, profanes or dshonors the name Of Him
'whose splendor fills all space with rays di.
vine"
The use OF profane language has become a
fixed habit with many, who appear TO think
it makes their assertions more emphatic and
impressive, aud labor under the aburd idea
that it gives manly dignity to their illusions
but well can it be said, poor, vain, conceited
and mistaken man :" think it is Pollok who
says that ISLANDER is the foulest whep of sin.
'Tis true it makes blackened page in the
annals Of crime but in atrocity the dark,
deep crime Of profanity far exceeds it,
Profanity! what fearful sacrilege Pro-
flaming the name of the Mighty One "who
ilrst existence with Tbyself alone" Pro-
flaming the name Of the Creator, source of
life and good, whose light and love filed me
with an immortal soul to spring over the abyss
Of death, ana bade it wear the garments of
eternal day and wing its heavenly fight be-
yond this little sphere, even 20 its source, to
Thcc its author there" If the sin OF pro-
family, which extends TO the uttermost limits
of civilization, could be blotted out, a new
and glorious era in the history of progressive
morality would dawn upon our sin-polluted
Garth
II it is au axiom that profanity and religion
are aniagonistic-and who can doubt that
they are we shall be viudicated by the pure
principles Of Christianity, as proclaime from
sacred altgrs dedicated to the worship Of the
Eternal One, whose chains the unmeasured
universe surround upheld by Thee, by Thee
inspired with breath, Thou the beginning
with the end hast bound, and beautifully
mingled life with dtath,' in applying The
words of Webster-uttered in his discourse
delivered at Plymouth, Dec. %, 1920, in re.
lation to the slave trade--to the presumptuous
crime of profanity: - would invoke the
ministers Of our religion that they proclaim
its denuncation of this crime and add its
solemn sanction to the authority of human
laws. If the pulpit be silent whenever or
wherever there may be Il sinner within the
hearing of its voice, the pulpit is false to its
trust" We would not ignore individual duty
and example, neither would We do violence to
the great law of Christian benevolence for,
as DIR. Wayland has written in his work on
moral science, 1--WE are created under con-
stitution in which we are of necessity depen-
dent upon the beneyolence of Others" and
well may we exclaim:
"Alas! alas!
why, all the souls that are were forfeit once
And Tie that best tn advantage might have taken
Found out the remedy. How would you be
II He, who Is the top Of Judgment, should
But judge you as you are ?"
Measure for Measure Act H., Sc. ?.
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