Page:The Life and Works of Christopher Dock.djvu/126

114 after being warned they persist in the bad habit, after being certain that the accusation is true, they are put upon the punishment seat, with the yoke on their neck, as a sign of punishment. On promising to be good in the future they escape with a few slaps. If they again offend, the punishment is increased, and they must furnish surety. The oftener the offense, the more bondsmen. These bondsmen's business is to warn and remind the offender and prevent repetition. This is the rein and the bit to be put into their mouths for such offense, but the change of heart must come from a higher hand, and must be sought with diligent prayer. The import of God's word must also be explained to the offender and the other pupils. What great weight is in all this (if one persist and is found guilty to the end) and that man must render an account of himself, on the judgment day, of every idle word spoken. Such passages they must look up and read, and for their further instruction they are given a song or a psalm to learn.

Perhaps Pennsylvania was not infected by this contagious and wicked plague as early as some other countries that are long harassed with bloody war, where rough and unmannered soldiers have neither propriety nor decency, but do all sorts of wicked things in word and deed, without fear of God or man. The poor innocent children are hereby infected, and cursing and swearing become so common that many do not consider it a sin, even by adults. Children repeat such things, they are we know born into the world without the power of speech, so that