General Washington, in an order issued August 3, 1776, said:
“The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked
practise of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little
known in an American army, is growing into fashion. He hopes
the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to
check it, and that both they and the men will reflect that we
can have little hope of the blessing of heaven on our army if we
insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice
so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense
and character detests and despises it.” Swearing is a great
waste of character!
James says: “But above all things, my brethren (and my Juniors),
swear not; neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by
any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay;
lest ye fall into condemnation.” Swearing is a great loss of
soul! James asks you to be specially watchful against the habit
of swearing. “Above all things”--that is, you will find it more
difficult to keep from this sin than it is to keep from many
other besetting sins.
(3137)
* * * * *
If Satan can not get a boy or girl to swear with the tongue,
he will try to get a swear through the hands or feet. Slamming
a door when you are mad is hand-swearing. When you have been
corrected and go out of the room as tho each step would put
holes in the floor you are foot-swearing. Sometimes a swear
spreads over the face like a cloud across the sky. Swearing is a
great loss of happiness!--J. M. FARRAR.
(3138)
See SELF-RESTRAINT.