The Russellville Democrat., 1882-05-11
GA MES OF CHANGE FOR
 CHARITY'S SAKE.
FOR

A grand fair was held m St. Louis last week, at which several lottery schemes were indulged in by the beaux and belles of aristocratic cir cles. Rev. w. G. Elliott, D. D., one of the most eminent and consistent divines of that city, used the occa- sion for the text of a communication to the Post-Dispatch, of which we herewith reproduce & portion, and his words and sentences produce no uncertain tone. Read what the rev. erend gentleman has to say on the subject of fashionable lottery schemes and games of chance
 Now, can you tell me wherein the moral or religious distinction is found, or how one system of lotteries and gambling is wrong and the oth CT right? It is said. perhaps, the cause is good. A work of charity, or religion, or public benefit is Tn view and that is the easiest way and the most attractive to raise the money. But even ifso. the end can not justify the means if wrong and pernicious. Otherwise we might eX cuse theft, or falsehood, or any other wrong doing by the same argument.
 Still further, it is a reasonable question whether the end sought; say the building of a church and fur nishing It, or the support of an or phan asylum, or the provision for public protection, is more commend able than the support of ones family and the education of ones children. A man who has this in view and es- tablishes lottery or faro table, as a business, can excuse himself as just ly, and the motive may be far more urgent, even to the point of seeming necessity. The only distinction must be looked for in the violation of law, in the one case, which IS avoided or evaded in the other. As to tho de- moralizing influence on society. es- pecially among the young, the ditier- ence IS not in kind, but on y in de gree. No church or charity lottery or raflle was ever yet successfully carried on without lowering the moral and religious tone of all en- gagged in it. The profit generally depends upon contrivances that can not bear moral scrutiny. To get the largest return from the smallest out lay, with hundred blanks to one prize, and through persistent per suasion of fascinating solicitors, is the usual course Si proceeding. Even children arc enlisted and stimulated by praise to be sufficiently bold in tIcket peddlng. Two years ago a "Madonra and child' was the hIgh. est prize in church lottery and at. tractive prizes for Sunday school children were exposed Tn shop win dows Last year an orphan asylum was relieved from debt by an elabo- rate and barefaced lottery scheme, publicly conducted. Now the prize iS cross, the symbol of salvation. The sacredness or beauty of the prize cannot purify the methods of gaining it.
 Recently, in all parts of the coua- try, and in St. Louis as well, the leading Bishops and clergy of all churches have openly condemned such modes of raising money, and in some churches they are absolutely prohibited. They ought to be so Tn all. Whatever is needed for legiti- mate uses in church or charity can he obtained by direct appeal. The cause of religion needs no unright- eous agencies. The public good cannot be promoted by any demor' alizing influence.
 | n al .,.l.. II .s.f