Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-05-03
Misertlansu,ls Rsading.
'PRoFANE SWEARING.
A Vicious Habit That Brings Its
Votaries Into Contempt.

n VICIOUS 1dpt mat brings lto
Votaries Into Contempt.
Written for The Yorkville Enquirer.
This, perhaps, Is very common
habit, taking Gods name in vain. 1t
is thought to be growing more COM
mon, and has become a custom among
ladies as well as men In some sections
among a certain class. There may be
some significance in the fact that the
English language is fertile in forms Of
expression in which profane ideas are
couched and conveyed. In view Of this
facility for finding suitable words to
convey profane ideas the question
might be very pertinent, Are the Eng
lish speaking people peculiarly ir-
reverent people and prone to take Gods
name in vain?
There Is a tendency to popularize
this habit. Even from childhood we
hear such expressions as good gra-
cious," my goodness" and similar ex-
pressions in Christian homes and So
ciety. Who is gracious" or good
ness" but God? In these, doubtless
are couched the germs Of profanity
while seemingly such innocent express
sions. The vicious nature Of profani-
ty Is often hidden, and 1t is even made
to appear commendable by those who
ought to condemn it. Did you ever
hear a good man repeat an incident
and with a degree Of gusto incorporate
the oath as an important part Of the
recital? Many writer's. too, inject it
into their newspaper articles and else
where, either the word in full. or as
If ashamed Of 1t give the first and last
letters Of the word, which can be we'll
understood.
Much Of the light, popular literature
of the day Is honeycombed with 1t un-
til the reader becomes unfortunately
familiar with the language, which finds
a permanent place in the memory, there
to antagonize the keen repugnance felt
toward profanity.
These we'll known facts need only be
mentioned to show the tendencies to
popularize the habit Of profane swear
ing.
Why Is It? There must be a cause
for it. What is the underlying desire
or influence which leads so many to
resort to the profane oath. repeat 1t or
laugh at 1t in others? There may be
several causes.
hot fo orf q
some minds. Many boys, perhaps, be-
gin from this feeling.
Emphasis often leads some to use
an oath. A speaker or writer feels the
simple word is not emphatic enough,
and here ready to hand is the old-time
emphasizer, an appeal to Gods name.
The oath Is administered under certain
forms Of law to bind the witness to the
truth. Under oath his statements are
considered more credible and convinc-
ing. The idea spreads to every day
life with many. Again the idea OF
cursing is prominent. One Is provok-
ed at another and wants not only to
condemn, but to call down curses on
his head. And often there is a tenden-
cy to exhaust the whole vocabulary, to
in1ict the most dire anathemas on
the victim Of our hate.
Perhaps, however, the real, but often
unconscious cause Is enmity toward
God. Satan, Gods great enemy, hates
and would discredit His sanctity. He
easily persuades men, women and chill
dren to profane that holy name by US
ing it lightly, f1ippantly! Many are
ready to fall into this trap. Some
doubtless, have their eyes holden to
the designer Of this suggestion. An
evil heart, having never learned to
love God, Is only too ready to lend
itself to the undermining and destroy
ing that sanctity, which Is Gods pc
culiar glory, so dear to Him, yet so
annoying to the natural heart.
Sober thought. After all what Is
the true status Of profane swearing!
Is 1t smart? Does it emphasize? Can
IL really render our words more cred
ible or convincing?
Can we curse any one or anything
1t would be a sad thing If we could.
For the most part used by the thought
less and debased it would require the
protecting hand of Jehovah to protect
the lives and comforts Of men from
the whitening influences Of these
curses.
Does It destroy the sanctity Of Gods
name?
Necessary Conclusions.
1. Profane swearing Is uncalled for
and useless
2. 1t is not sensible. DIR. Daniel Ba-
ker once said-I quote the idea: 1.-THE
devil puts bait on his hook to catch
men in all other sins: but in profane
swearing he throws them the naked
hook"
8. It Is rude, impolite and ungentle-
manly. If any proof Is needed, imagine
a man using profane oaths In the home
of his neighbor. in the presence OF Wo-
men and children, good men or society.
4. 1t is a sin. an awful sin against
the loving Creator, Redeemer and Ben
efactor of man. A venomous stroke at
His holiness and His throne. The sug-
gestion, even, comes from the foulest
enemy to God. goodness and man.
What part shall we take in these Sa-
tanic designs? Shall we lend ourselves
as instruments to perpetuate and pop
ularize such a monstrous habit?
Let US remember God Is holy and His
name to be revered.
1.-The Lord will not hold him guiltless
that taketh His name In vafn.'
M. r. KIRKPATRICK.
Blackstock, S. c., April IL, 1904.