The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-30
3D.
GAMING.

voltaire asserts, that, "Every gambler is
has been, or will be robber." Gaming il
an evil in the first place, because 1t is {
practice which produces nothing II the
whole human family were all skilful game
sters, and should play constantly for whole
year, there would not be a dollar more in
the world at the end OF the year than al ils
commencement On the contrary, there
would be much less, besides an immense
loss of time. But, secondly, gaming favo.s
corruption Of mind. 1t is difficult to trace
the progress Of the gamesier's mind from the
time when he commences his course, but
we know too well the goal at which he is
bound 10 arrive. There may be exceptions,
but not many; generally speaking, every
gamester, sooner or later, goes to perduion,
and often adds 10 his own woe, by dragging
others along with him.
It iscourages industry. He, who is ac-
customed 10 secure large sums at once, which
bears no proportion 10 the labor by which
they are obtained, will gradually come 10 re-.
gard the moderate, but constant and certain
rewards of industrious exerlion as insipid.-
The famous philosopher, Locke, in his
"Thouehts on Education" thus remarks, ut
is certain that gambling leaves no saiisfac-
ton behind it, 10 those who reflect when il
is over, apd it in no way profits either body
or mind. As 10 their estates, if it strike SO
deep as to concern them, il is trade then,
and not recreation, wherein few thrive !;
and at best thriving gameslsr has but a
poor trade of il, who fills his pockets at the
price of bls reputaron." J. T. HeadIey, in
letters from "Ilaly, aud the Alps, and the
Rhine" says that "a gambler carries his re-.
pulsive soul in his eyes, in his face, nay, al
most in his very gait. His very presence
causes chilling atmosphere around him,
that upsets all that approach him. Gambling
more completely metamorphoses man than
any other crime except murder" Gaming
is always Criminal, either in itself, or in lis
tendency. The basis of lis cove,ousness a
desire 10 take from others something for
which yon have neither given nor intend 10
give an equivalent have often wondered
how sober and intelligent people, who have
conscences, and believe the doctrine of ac-
accountability 10 God-how protesting Chris.
tians, as is sometimes The case in this coun-
try, can sit whole evenings al cards. What
notions have they of the value of time? Can
they conceive OF Him whose example we
are bound 10 follow, as engaged in this way?
What herculean task has Christianity yet
10 accomplish
The excess of this evil has caused even
the overthrow of empires. 1t leads 10 con-
spiracies and furnishes consplrators Per-
haps this vice has nowhere been carried 10
greater excess than in France. There it has
its administration, its chief, its stockholders,
its officers, its priests. 1t has its domestics,
it's informers, its spies, IFS pimps, lis assas-
sins, its bullies, its aiders, lis abettors, in
fact, lis scoundrels of every description par
ticularly, its hireing swinders, who are paid
TO entce the unwary into the Shells upon
earth," SO odious TO morality, and SO des,ruc-
tive to virtue and Christianity. In England,
this vice has been long looked upon as one
of pernicfous consequence 10 the common.
wealth, and has been for long time pro.
hbited by law. Every species of gambling
is strictly prohibited, and is frequently pun
ished with. great severity. Men of immense
wealth have been known 10 enter gambling
houses, and in few short hours, 10 be re-
duced 10 beggary.
The young should be warned never 10 en-.
Ter this dreadful road. Shun il as you would
the road 10 eternal destruction. Fly the
temptation as you would the bite of an asp
or scorpion. Take not the first step il
you do, all may be lost. Say not that you
can command yourself when you approach
the confines Of danger So thousands have
already thought as sincerely as yourselves,
and ye, they fell. The probabilities that we
shall fall where so many have fallen, are as
millions 10 one and the contrary opinion is
only the dream of lunacy. When you are
inclined TO think yourselves sale, consider
those who once thought themselves equally
SO, have been corrupted, distressed, ruined
by gaming, for this world, and that to come
Think how many families have been plunged
by it into beggary, and overwhelmed by II
in vice. How many men have become lars
at the gaming table, how many pe1ured
how many drunkards, how many blasphe
mers. eff Europe" says Montesquieu, "it
to be ruined, it will be by gaming" Burgh
in bis dignity of "Human Nature" sums up
the evils of gaming, sas follows "It is the
cause of infinite loss of time, of enormous
destruction of money, of irritating the pas
sions, and stirring up avarice of innumera.
BILE sneaking tricks and frauds: of encour
agemen. of idleness of disgusting people
against their proper employments, and o.
debasing all that is truly noble and valuable
| in the human soul.-N Y Observer.
| $0%$$