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ninister of the Episcopal Church, in an address* o this description of persons,) would naturally be nclined never to express it but for holy purposes, and with reverence. How then, (continues this vriter,) can we account for the frequent use of God and Lord, and sometimes Jesus and Christ, by persons that attend the public worship of our church, and hear the third commandment every Sunday? Some who are reckoned religious, not only occasionally use one or more of these sacred names, with the word good, as a mere expression of surprise, but seemingly from habit, have adopted a petition of our church service, when uttering their sudden wonder at any uncommon relation, or their concern on hearing of any calamitous event; while at the moment, they not even think of God, nor desire at that time his mercy; their thoughts being entirely then engaged by what may have excited their unmeaning exclamation. These things ought not so to be. Whence then are they so common? The frequency of taking the name of

* A short Dissuasive from a common Sin, easily avoided, &c.

+ Numerous examples might be produced, both from ancient and modern times, of many who have never been favoured with the outward knowledge of the Gospel, that ought to put to the blush the profane conduct of some professors of the Christian

name.

Take an instance from amongst those we are pleased to term

savages:

The Cherokees universally believe in the being of a Godthey call him the Great Spirit; they mention him with reverence-with them, his attributes are power and goodness. They never profane the name of God in their own language."

Letter from Return J. Meigs, Esq. late representative in Congress, and formerly agent of the United States amongst the Indians. See Freeman's Journal, July 8, 1916.

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the Lord our God in vain, cannot be acco in my opinion, but for the want of cons and a vital sense of religion.'

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The author from whom I have quoted, to point out how "the sin" under exa may be easily avoided."

"First," says he, "let this be conside there being neither profit nor pleasure in mission and practice of this sin, though cu have introduced the habit, which will tention and trouble to correct, yet corr cannot plead any loss that can be susta reform.

"Secondly, let relations and friends to check this sin, by reminding each othe be guilty of it.

Thirdly, I would impress on the mi readers, that whatever steps be adopt means conducive to the right dischar duty, they should ever be considered only, which we are bound to take; we sh up to God, from whom cometh every perfect gift, for a blessing on our h deavours; and we may be assured. that vently pray for the Divine assistanc Christ, we shall be heard, and become earthly conquerors: we shall attain vi our evil habits, and be enabled to encour o imitate our example."

"Some perusers of these pages," ad thor, "may soon forget what has been them, and not recollect the warning g till that day when every idle word shall

ttend to what has been said, and be dissuaded From taking the name of the Lord our God in rain, shall think myself rewarded by the knowledge of t, and shall rejoice that my endeavours have not been useless, nor without some salutary effect."

And how lamentably common is it, to swear, by he name of Jesus and Christ; also to use the expression, for Christ's sake. Surely we should not thus make use of the name of him who was miaculou-ly announced by the Most High to be his beloved Son; that name of which the Apostle says, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity." The man who swears, seems to suppose his veracity doubted, wet this cannot procure credit to an assertion, as it s perhaps oftener used to confirm a rash or doubtTul saying, than plain truth.

It is the practice again of some, to assert or deny, to jest or wrangle, with imprecations upon themselves, so shocking to a Christian mind, that we are not disposed to pollute these pages by reciting instances, which are too familiar to every one, the general purport of which is a desire to be damned; to be forever separated from God and goodness, from light and hope, and the society of The blessed. No man in his senses could seriously call down on his own head such dreadful vengeance. Then why do it in thoughtless levity? Can this be the part of a rational being?

There is yet another sinful practice; it is to curse others: to fix upon them in words, and sometimes at is to be feared, too nearly in wish, this same damnation.

But is it becoming a noble and generous mind, to wish even the bitterest enemy in that dreadful

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state, from which, could we see him in sensible of the woes we had inflicted, we stantly become willing to give our all him?

How can that soul be qualified to beg of its Judge, who feels in itself a dispositio a fellow-creature?

Some may be disposed to plead in e of this evil practice, that they have had vocation as was too much for human natu but let such remember, that our blessed in his memorable sermon on the mount, positive injunction, "Bless them that do good to them that hate you, and pray which despitefully use you and persecute The Scriptures assure us, that "If the v sake his way, and the unrighteous man hi and return unto the Lord, he will have m him, and unto our God, he will abund don." Again, "Wash you, make you away the evil of your doings from before cease to do evil, learn to do well," "Come now, let us reason together, Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, the as white as snow; though they be red lik they shall be as wool."t

Reader, mayst thou be so wise for no longer to slight or reject such grac of divine love and mercy. Hast thou m strivings of His spirit in thy own heart science, secretly condemning thee for

words and actions and heard him

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ind thee," saying, "this is the way, walk in it, vhen thou turnest to the right hand or to the left ?” = Yea, when thou hast sworn profanely or falsely by is name, has he not been in thy conscience as a eprover,† and a swift witness against thee? Turn then, unto God, through the Spirit of his Son, Jesus Christ, whom he has graciously sent to bless thee, in turning thee from thy iniquities, so shalt thou know thy sins to be blotted out, when the times of refreshing come from His presence; and as thou art concerned to walk before Him in holy fear, thou wilt know Him to lead thee into newness of life, and purity of conversation, whereby alone thou canst serve Him acceptably, and become fitted to enjoy the company of saints and angels, and the spirits of the just made perfect, through the endless ages of a glorious eternity.

* Isa. xxx. 20. 21.

† Psalm 1. 21. ‡ Mal. iii. 5, and Isa. Iv. 4. § Acts iii. 26. || Acts iii. 19.

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