The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1895-07-01
A WICKED PRACTICE.
SWEARING A PREVALENT VICE AMONG
AMERICANS.

Reasons Why Gods Name Should Not BE
Used In Vain.
At the Bloomingdale Reformed church
Sunday June %, Rev. Madison C.. Pc
ters chose for his topic America S Pop
MAR Sin. . The preachers text was Ex-
Odus Xxx, Z, Thou shalt not take the
name Of the Lord thy God in vain, for
the Lord will not hold him guiltless
that tal1eth his name in vain The
preacher said:
A traveller in Russia was judged to
be a Clergyman because he was not heard
to swear, all other Americans being
supposed to be addicted to this wicked
practice After DR.. Scudder's return
from India he heard person using pro-
fame language in the presence of his
son, and accOsting the swearer the great
missionary said, 'This boy was born
and brought up in heather land, but
in all his life he never heard a man
blaspheme his Maker until now" The
man apologized and moved away
ashamed. This vice has become so prev
alent as to deserve the distinction of be-
ing called a 1Rtional characteristic.
Its Brazen Impudence.
This vice flaunts itself before US with
brazen impudence. The slanderer slyly
watches for an open ear and enjoins
secrecy, the thief is too cunning to steal
in the presence of witnesses, the lecller-
O1s man crawIs to the house of shame
after dark, but men swear publicly.
boldly aad Cndauntedlv.
Now we have five reasons why the
name Of God should not be used in
vain:
Firat.-It is useless. viii swearing
pay? Is it real value in character?
Does it deepen confidence? Why should
an honorable man have to add oaths to
confirm his word? Does swearing recon-
mend a merchants goods? Where is the
foreman or superintendent who acquired
control over and respect of his workmen
through profanity? Does it aid the ply
stefan in forming a more correct dag
nosis? Does it enlarge lawyers prlc-
tice or better analyze his cases? DID
curses ever take the meanness out OF a
customer? Did they ever collect a bad
debt? Did they ever accomplish any
thing?
Second 1t is cowardly There was
once q man who swore dreadfully in the
presence of others, but was rebuked by
a gentleman, who told him that it Va:
cowardly for him to do in the presence
Of others that which he did not dare t.
by himself. "Ah," said the man, II
am not afraid to swear at any time or III
any place. " III give you $40" said
the gentleman, eff you will go in tho
village graveyard at IL o'clock tonigLe
and inter the same oaths you have ja,f
uttered here when you are alone with
God. agreed, - said the man Its
an easy way of earning $40" ''Wen, |
you come to me tomorrow and say that |
you have done it, and the money IS
yours. He was impatient for the mid
night hour. When the time came, lie
hurried to the graveyard. Darkness AMI
silence were brooding like spirits DER
the still and pulselesS world Beneath
him the many dead, above him pitc,
darkness. The words, "alone with God,
came over him with mighty power A
deep sense of his monstrous folly and
heinous wickedness fell upon him like
the sudden pealing thunder of the mid
night storm. His further endeavors were
5hwarted by the Invisible One. He could
90 no further. Instead of carrying out
his purpose, acting rudely and saucily
with God; instead of blistering his
AOuC14 Will 11OO CtLN1 OdULS, lie
was humbled and, trembling, cried with
4 loud voice, "God be merciful to me, Il
sinner. " The next day he went to tie
gentleman and thanked him for what lie
lad done and said he had resolved new
II to swear another oath as long as he
lived.
Third 1t is impolite. am remind
ID of that incident of Abraham Lincoln,
Who said to q person sent to him by one
# the senators, and who in conversation
uttered IN oath: II thought the senator
lad sent me a gentleman. I see was
mistaken. There is the door, and l bid
on good day"
Profanity indicates low breeding. 1t !
letracts from the grace of conversation. !
t is an evidence of a weak brain and {
limited ideas.
Fourth. Swearing is wicked It !
prings from a mere ma1igRancy of spirit
a man against God, because he has for
idden it. AS far as the violation of the
OmnIand of God is concerned the swear c
: is equally guilty with the murderer, 6
le unchaste person, the robber and the
ar. Whose is this name which men