Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-06-02
GAMING.

been or will be as asfobber. Gaming is an evil in
the first place, betause it is practice which pre-
duces nothing. @If the whole human family
were all skillfnl g6mesteerS, and should play con
stantly for one whole year, there would not be 9
dollar more in tbeworld at the end of the year
than at its commencement.
On the contrary, there would be much less
besides an immense loss of time. But, secondly
gaming favors esrruption of mind. 1t is diff
cult to trace the nogress of the gamblers mind
from from the time wBsn be begins his course, but we
know too well thagoal at which he is destined
to arrive.-TherH may be exceptions, but moi
many generally tpeaking, every ganester, soon
er or later, goesb ,perdition, and often adds to
his own woe, bdfagging others along with
him.
It discourages industry. He who is accus
toned to secureShrge sums at once, which bear
no proportion to she labor by which they are OBJ
tanned, will gradually come to regard the mode
rate, but constanttand certain rewards OF indus
trious exertions; as insipid. :,
The famous philosopher, Locke, in his thous hts
on education, thus remarks: 1t is certain that
gambling leaye&no satisfaction behind it, to
those who reAeeHwhcn it is over, and it in no
way profits eithsS body or mind. As to their
estates, if it strlHs SO deep as to concern them,
it is trade then;hnd not recreation, wherein
few thrive andft best thriving gamester has
but q poor tradaof it, who fills his pockets at
the price of hisMputation."
J.T. Headlysh his letters from Italy, and
the Alps, and t& Rhine, says that q "gambler
carries his repuNive soul in his eyes, in his face,
nay, almost in rs very gait. His very presence
causes chilling atmosphere around him, that
upset all that aSproach him. Gambling more
completely met4morphoses man than other
crime except murder"
Gaming is afsays criminal, eitherin itself or
in its tendencyss The basis Of it covetousuess
desire to tal:sfom others something for which
you have nethsf given or intend to give an
equivalent. I6arc often wondered how sober
and inteligenSpeople, who have conscences,
and believe R doctrine Of accountability to
God-how protesting christians, as is sometimes
the case in thisscountry, can sit whole evenings
at cards. WhsEnotions have they Of the value
Of ti,ne2 Canthey conceive of Him whose ex'
ample we are Bound to follow, as engaged IN
this way? Witt herculean task has christian
ity yet 10 accomplish ? .,
The excess: e. this evil has caused even the
overthrow of of:Smpires. 1t leads to conspiracles
and furnishes Sonspirators. Perhaps the vice
has nowhere bAh carried to greater excess than
in France There it has its administration, Its
chief, its stockholders, it's offices, its priests
1t has its domestics, its informers, its SpieS its
pimps, its assaBsins, its bullics, its aiders, its
abettors, in fag its scoundrels Of every descrlp-
ton particularly its hireling swindlers, who are
pail to enticeILe unwary into the hells upon
earth, so odi6as to morality, and so destructive
to virtue and christianity.
Tn Englandsthis vice has been looked upon
as one Of pcfuicions consequence to the com.
monwcalth, iaiasbeen for n long time prohibited
by law. Every species of gambling is strictly
frequently punished with great eat
severity. Mensof: immense wealth nave peen
known TO enter gambling houses, and IN few
short hours to be reduced to beggary.
The young should he warned never to enter
this dreadful road. Shun it rs yon won!d the
road to eternal destruction. Fly the temptation
as you would the bite of an asp or Scorpion
Take not the first step; ifyou do, all may BE- bSe,
LOST. Say not that you-can command yoUrscf
when you approach the confines Of danger; 80
thousands have already thought as sincerely ;s
yourselves, and vet they fell. The proba'ill'
ties that we shall fall where so many have ial-
len, are as millions to one; and the contrary Is
only the dream Of lunacy. When you are III
clincd to think yourself safe, consider those who
once felt themselves equally so, have been cor
rupted, distressed, ruined by gaming, for this
world asld that which as to come. Think how
many families have been plunged by it into beg
rary. and overwhelmed by it in vice. How many
men have become liars at the ganing'tab!e,
how many periured, how many drunkards, how
many blasphemers Europe, says Montesqlleu,
is to be ruined, it will be by gaming. Bursh, IN
his Dignity of Human Nature, sums up the evils
Of gaming as follows: g
aIt is the cause of infinite loss of time, OF
enormous destruction of money, of irritating the
passions, and stirring up avarice; of innumera'
bic sneakiug tricks and frauds; of encourage,
ment of idlcness Of disgusting people against
their proper employments. and Of dsbasing ail
that is truly noble and valuable in the human
soul."-M T. Observer: