Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-04-03
THE MORAL CODE IN BRIEF.

ifOu diluh hOu oihOhN NSH
chew; don't swear don't gamble don't
have but one wife. Love God; but
don't love God so much that you have
no time to love your fellow man. Love
truth. love virtue, and be happy
This is an extract from Trains speech
on the top Of Pilot Knob, Missouri.
Francis seemed to have harmonized his
moral to his physical elevation on that
occasion. The code of practical morals
is quite full in these few lines.
Don't drink" What fool man
is to drink away his wages, his health,
and his brains. Benton said that there
was no excuse for drinking spirituous
liquors previous to forty years of age,
and after that period in life, only very
small dram once or twice day, as
medicine; forty years are supposed to
mark the turn of life, when little slim
ulation would be beneficial, though as
many little need it at that age as ever
before. 1t is for every one to act honest
ly with himself, and never more use that
which is of no benefit to him.
Don't smoke" Probably "the weed"
is as useless as anything in which man
indulges. 1t costs young man at least
fifty dollars a year to smoke, even when
he is very common smoker. This cant
be afforded by any one whose income is
less than one thousand year and even
for those who can afford it, the habit is
vulgar and demoralizing. It is one of
the pilots to the vortex of general dis
sipation. But in spite of the lessons Of
wisdom, we suppose that young men
will smoke and drink, and finally wallow
in poverty and groan under disordered
constitutions.
Don't Swear" OF all vulgarities,
profanity is the most shameless. II ar
CUES great moral perversion and extreme
poverty Of decent speech. 1t is ever
the accompaniment of that sensual vul-
garity which no man OF any self-respect
would indulge.
"Immodest words admit OF no defense,
For want OF decency Is want OF sense"
While filthy speech shows want Of
decency, profanity proves lack of eleva'
ted ideas, and Of language for full ex-
preston of ones intensity Of feeling.
| Jack was embarrassed-nevcr IA hero more
And as he knew not what TO say he swore.'
"Don't gamble" No one but scamp
will gamble. The gambler drinks, and
swears, and smokes, and cheats. His
aim is to get something for nothing, and
the highwayman does nothing more. He
who cannot make an honest living had
better go and hang or drown himself; or
which is the next best thing, go to the
poor.house. The gambler lies in wait to
entrap the unwary and the innocent, and
of all men he is the most contemplate.
"I.ove God" This is the greatest
commandment, but the second is like un'
to it: Love thy neighbor as thyself.'
"Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase.)
| Awoke one night in n deep dream OF peace,
| And saw within the moonlight In his room,
| Making IL rich and like lily In the bloom,
| An angel, writing I'm a book OF gold.
| Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem Dold'
And 10 the presence In his room, he said.
| "What writest thou7" The angel raised hi;
| head,
And i'm a voice made all OF sweet accord,
| Replied, The names OF those who love th'
.And l. mine one?' said Ben Adhem. Nay mo-
so,'
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low.
But cheerilly still, Il pray thee then,
Write me as one who loves his Fellow men!
| The next night
The angel came
With great wakening light,
And showed the n ames whom love OF Uod ha'
And To- Ben Adhem's name led all the restp