hard." It is written, "The way of transgressors is "As he loved cursing, so let it come to him." "Because of swearing the land mourneth." It is a foolish way, for it is fools who make a mock of sin, and insult their Maker. "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools pour out foolishness." If others choose the way of death, it is no reason why we should. If others think it a fine thing to preface their words with an oath, and thus bring upon themselves a curse, it is no reason why we should do it; each must answer for himself, each one must stand responsible in God's sight. We should always show our disapproval of profane speaking by protesting against it. "As John Howard was standing one day near the door of a printing-office, he heard some dreadful oaths and curses from a public-house opposite, and button ing his pockets up, said, to the workmen near him, 'I always do this whenever I hear men swear, as I think that anyone who can take God's name in vain, can also steal, or do anything else that is bad."" A good old man was once in company with a gentleman, who occasionally introduced into his conversation the words devil, deuce, &c., and who at last took the name of God in vain. "Stop, sir," said the old man, "I said nothing while you only used freedom with the name of your own master, but I insist upon it that you shall use no freedom with the name of mine." When the tongue is under the dominion of divine grace, the words which drop from it are like "apples of gold in pictures of silver," chaste and pure, sincere and devout. "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones." "A gay young man, travelling in a stage-coach to London, forced his deistical sentiments on the company by attempting to ridicule the Scriptures; and, amongst other topics, made himself merry with the story of David and Goliath, strongly urging the impossibility of a youth like David being able to throw a stone with sufficient force to sink into the giant's forehead. On this he appealed to the company, and particularly to a grave Quaker gentleman, who sat silent in one corner of the company. Indeed, friend," replied he, "I do not think it at all impossible, if the Philistine's head was as soft as 66 This grave rebuke silenced the thine." young man.' Do we wish to leave off this fearful habit of profane speaking? if so, we must seek strength from God to do so. Although we have treated Him as our enemy, He is willing to become our friend. His grace is all-sufficient to enable us to overcome the sinful habits of our nature. Let us look to the cross of Jesus-plead the atoning sacrifice offered there, and say, "Create within us clean hearts, O God! and renew a right spirit within us.” We, should strive to abandon such an evil course; enter heaven. for no swearers can ever "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." |