The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-11-23
fFrom Ihe Pfe1bJtsrian of the West-I
EFHScs OF cHURCH DOCTORS.
vxxIAL RAMBLING AND vxEIAt DHusKES
sEss, AcooaDrne rosr. LIeOnI.

NESS, AccoRDINe TO ST. LIGonI.
Some Of the secular papers Of oinein-
natl have freely remarked upon the views
of the Catholic Telegraph of that city, as
expressed in recent paragraph upon
gambling. Several Irishmen had met in /
groggery on Sabbath evening and raffied
for cow for the benefit ofa idow. The
police lighted upon them, and they were
fined $40 each and costs. Upon this the
editors of tho Telegraph mourn in this
style:
This strikes us asa case Of great in.
justice, whatever of law there may be n it.
Hero arc few evidently kind hearted and
charitable men, who stint their own fami- !
lies, perhaps, to buy COW. "for the bene
fiL" Of tho poor widow. What better decd
for the Sabbath day. whose religious eI-
ercises such men had surely not neglected?
Aud because they quietly and innocently
amused themselves, after day 30 well
spent. in playing game Of cards, they are
made prisoners, their names are published
in the newspapers with disgrace. and fined
each ten dollars!
1--WE are no friends Of gamblng--we
never handle card; but we ask, where in
the Bible or tho decalogue, ia it made sin
simply to play a game Of cards? God. we
are convinced, saw no sin in the acts Of
those men, for which the law has so Sc
veIly punished them. II was we'll for the
Apostles they did not come under Spoon
er's Jurisdiction, or he would have con-
vicsed them for casting lots for successor
to judas"
Weare not much surprised, says one Of
the Cincinnati papers, at this paragraph;
and what little surprise we have is at the
open avowal Of the sentiment, rather than
aIiss indulgence. The quiet innocence oI
that Sabbath evenings amusement, per-
haps, included the usual entertainment OF
acotfse honse---i O.. "distilled cotfe:" and
yet the editors would see no sin in this
For the standard theology of ST. Ligori
tells us how far man may go in drunken.
ness, and yet be regarded but as venia
offender in the eyes Of Romish priests
This theologian is endorsed by Benedict
XIV. and Pins VII; Leo XII. calls hin
ths "safeguard of morals," and he wal
csnonised in 1915 or 1916. After giving
the marks of perfect inforication, Igor
says: I-
at is. therefore. imperfect drunkenness
ifAny one after drinking can yet discern
between good and evil, although tho mine
10 somewhat confused, or vomiting follows
the tongue stammers, the feet are unsteady
the eyes see double, or the house seems !,
turn round. This kind Of drunkenness
when it is not full. is only vsnial."
See Compend. TheoL Igor, Trac
lV.. Cap. H., Artic. H., section v.
page 85.
,Dens has the same teachings:
"The doubtful signs Of drunkenness are
theunsteadiness ofihe feet, the stammerins
ofthe tongue, the eapparent whirling rount
ofthings, the sight OF things double, be
cause these things may sometimes ais
happen while there yet remains the pres
ence Of sufficient reason. Let simila
judgment be made concerning vomiting
&c.h
Sec Dens Thcol.. Vol. I, page $50. N
278, 5 H., g..
Can any one wonder that there is 6
much drunkenness among the members @
the Romish church, whom these are tn
utterances of her Theologians; and whe
the teachings Of newspaper with prizes,
for its editors, and two bishops for thei
endorsers? Aud when the Archbishop,
year ago, commanded his people "to al
stain from meats" during Lent. is II SUI
prising that he must use strong language
sTo the unhappy victims of intempersnct
We particularly desire to represent the ae
gravated malice and enormity Of all sins
excess at this holy time Of penance an
expiration. We are panied and Athlete
evcry year by the scandalous exhibition
drunkenness In the streets and private hou
es in the first and last weeks Of Lent."-
This is the view given US Of his people
Mr.. Purcell himself. Is it strange tn
such fruits should grow from such plan
ing2 Is not gross drunkenness the legi,
mate result Of such teachings9 And
there corruption enough in any Protesta
church 10 invite these notorious drunkar,
TO the Holy Sacrament IS tho means
their reformation?
But the paragraphs We comment upoi
while IN keeping with these teachings,
omits all mention Of Sabbath evening ca
ousing,is positively commendatory OF gan
NhhS' uo Cuitot ASKS WueTo the blDlo {
decalogue mako it q sin to play cards.
We like this appeal to the Bible. We onl
wish the Romish priests would give
moreofit. We ehave great many que
tons 10 ask when the editors Of the Tel
graph make that book their authorit,
though wo would wish them TO give US !
sntire decalogue. We would not find
hard 10 prove, even from tho corrupt DouI
version, that to do "our own wilp' al
Sour own ways' on the Sabbath, is a Vi
lation Of sacred time. That cards are q
pressly mentioned in either the Bible
the decalogue, no one pretends; but ii
the principles involved in gambling
wrong. even the editors have not tho
frontery to deny. But the manner
which the innocence of these mon is h
up is an outrage. These editors are
friends Of gambling---they never touc
card; but the Apostles gamblod, and c
sees no sin init, even when done upon
Sabbath Please to inform US II these
infallible toaehings.
VINO Fill oUR Pmsozs?-The Lo,
villo Courier Of the cath says: