66 FARM ECHOES. 



What can be more ridiculous than profane language ? 

 I never hear it without thinking of the little boy who 

 hud been provoked by something, and in revenge told 

 his mother that he would teach his little sister "to say 

 some bad words. " When asked by his mamma what the 

 bad words were, he replied : ' ' Dandy Jim and Daddy- 

 long-legs." 



If those addicted to this low vice must have some 

 strong adjectives to give spice and power to their sayings, 

 perhaps too tame without them, why not "hallow" 

 their Maker's name by keeping it for only sacred use, 

 and, in lieu thereof, take up such impressive and digni- 

 fied words as those quoted by that little boy, now a noble 

 Christian gentleman, or others equally forcible and grand, 

 such as " gingerbread and molasses," "shovel and tongs," 

 etc., etc. 



Though for many years an abstainer from intoxicating 

 drinks, I have never sympathized with those ultra ones 

 who denounce all who do not agree with them upon the 

 important question of total abstinence. I grant to all 

 the right I claim for myself freedom of thought and 

 action. True, there are many who drink in moderation; 

 excellent Christian people ; but it is equally true that 

 there are many so under the dominion of alcohol as to be 

 wholly unable to use it in moderation. Their only safety 

 is in abstaining from all intoxicating liquors. To en- 

 courage such, and to disprove the too often repeated as- 

 sertion that " only reformed drunkards sign the total 

 abstinence pledge," are sufficient inducements to enlist 

 in the good cause those who are willing to come to the 

 rescue of these less favored ones. 



