American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-28
From the Wheeling Daily Times. g
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from A.
brOnd--GNlmc cS of Chance. &c

StOtuS--k'rcnChcrS from A.
broad--Galnes Of Chance, sc.
at the Associate Reform Church,
corner of Market and Jefferson streets,
Rev. j. L. Mcclure, pastor, preached
a sermon, on Sunday after afternoon,
on "Games of Chance" which we wish
we'could present entire in our columns.
1t was very forcible presentation Of
the subject, and produced profound
impression. We present the following
not as asynopsis, but as q few only Of
his arguments and illustrations: la1
There is no such thing as "chance, :"
in the world, and therefore no such
thing as a ''game of chance" Cards,
dice, &C., are called games of chance,
not because we believe there is such o
thing as chance, but because there is
part of the game that does. not depend
on human judgment orskill Here we
find the Lot constituting an important
part of the game. a.
1.-The Lot, as every body knows, is an
appeal to the Almighty to determine
such matters for us as we are unable
to settle for ourselves. 1t is relig-
ious ordinance, and cannot be other
wise than religiously employed without
proclamation. This religious ordinance
is the basis Of all these o-called games
OF chance as well as of all the lottery
schemes in existence. a,g III, III
ig Now, if these premises be correct, it
will be difficult to avoid the conclusion
that 1T is necessarily sinful to engage
IN them, either for money or for amuse-
ment. Surely, a lengthy argument is
not needed to establish these premises.
Nobody but Atheists denies the doc
trine of a Special Providence. The
Bible plainly teaches that God is the
supreme Disposer of all things. He
clothes the grass of the feld-He feeds
the young ravens when they cry-He
directs the falling of the sparrow-He
numbers the hairs on our heads-He
takes account of all tho thoughts of
our hearts. Reason teaches the same
lesson. The universal order and har-
mony that prevail in all the works of
the Creator, shows that there must be
an intelligent being who controls and
directs all things; and, therefore, that
there can be no such thing as chance.
But if there is no such thing as chance
then the Lot must be an appeal to
whatever power directs and controls
all things. This power belongs alone
to God; then the Lot is appeal to Him
no matter at what time or under what
circumstances it may be employed .
The soldiers who gamblcd with the Lot
ior the Saviour's coat appealed to God
just as really as the high priest did
when he cast Lots to determine the an
lmal that was to be offered in sacrifice.
Many people play cards for amuse-
ment who have never viewed the sub
IJect in this light; they would blush at
the idea of such sacrilege. Let such
people remember the next time they sit
down at the card table, that they use
the Lot every time they cut and deal
the cards, and say by their actions,-
which some times speak louder than
words, "Come now, thou who controll-
est all things, assist in our folly and
be the umpire in this game" There
is no such thing as avoiding this, ifthe
Lot be employed But the Lot is the
foundation of the game as every card
player knows full well. Else why are
the cards shuffled? Why is the pack
cut! Why are the cards dealt in the
manner common to the various games?
Obviously to make the so-called chance
the basis Of the game. And what is
this 50. called chance but the Lot?
Ms for the profcsscI gambler, whc.
ther he CANDLES with cards or dice or
lottery schemes, [ believe he ought to
be classed with the highway robber,-
and both ought to be shut up in pris.
OH for the benefit of the community at
large. Their purposes are substantial
ly the same. They both want to get
other peoples money without an e.
auiyalent. The only point in which
they differ materially is, that the one
may be disposed to use violence in or
der to accomplish his purpose, while
the other seeks to accomplish his ends
by means that are more deceitful, and
that require less physical courage. 1
have about the same respect for each
Of them. UD
1t has been said in an apologize
way, many a time, that the loser con
sents to his losS--.thathe played know
ing that he might losc--that il was
his own fault, &c. But can the cor
sent of the loser make the transaction
right? Am | to make tho consent of
q set of dupes my rule of honesty D..
Apply the principle TO other transac..
A. n