Successful Rebuke Of Profanity
Calm, faithful reproof can correct sinful habits and gain respect.
When the Rev. Mr. K— was settled in his congregation of S—, they could not furnish him with a manse, or even with lodgings. In these circumstances, a Captain P—, in the neighborhood, though a stranger to religion, generously took him into his family, and gave him his board, it is believed, gratuitously. But our young clergyman soon found himself in very unpleasant circumstances, owing to the captain's usual practice of profane swearing. Satisfied of his duty, however, he determined to perform it at all hazards. Accordingly, one day at table, after a very liberal volley of oaths from the captain, he observed calmly, "Captain, you have certainly on the present occasion made use of a number of very improper terms." The captain, 371. 379 who was rather a choleric man, was instantly in a blaze. "Pray, sir, what improper terms have I used?" "Surely, captain, you must know," replied the clergyman, with greater coolness, "and having already put me to the pain of hearing them, you cannot be in earnest in imposing upon me the additional pain of repeating them." "You are right, sir," resumed the captain, "you are right. Support your character, and we will respect you. We have a parcel of clergymen around us here, who seem quite uneasy till they get us to understand that we may use any freedom we please before them, and we despise them." It ought to be known, that the captain never afterwards repeated the offence in his presence, and always treated Mr. K— with marked respect, and befriended him in all his interests.