Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-03-08
Card and Billiard PLAYING.

delivered his third sermon on amuse-
ments. Cards aud billiards were discuss
ed ny him in an able and thoroughly
practical manner, rs the following synup.
sis will clearly demonstrate:
l. Concerning card-rlaying. two or
three things are clear. Those who use
them at all should govern themselves
very strictly in the matter. For example,
never play 10 public places; it is the
just mark of a loafer.
Don't play in the cars; gamblers do,
gentlemen DO not, rs a rule. Refuse to
devote whole evenings 20 The game; life
is too short, aud books are too near.
Neighborhood, or other parties, OF
which card-playing forms a prominent
feature, are Objectionable, for the reason
that they give prominent and strong en-.
corsement Of the game.
1fcard-p'ayiug is to be INDUCED in at
all, 1t should only be in the family, as an
occasional recreation. Whether this
should be done or not, is a question of
expectancy, that is, Of what is wisest un.
der the circumstances, rather than ques.
ton of right or wrong.
As a household amusement, it is inno-
cent, SO far as its inherent qualities are
concerned. The question is, as to what
is wise ard safe. And for the parent and
the christian man, it is 4 serious ques-
ton.
The wiser conclusion is probably this,
that, 1t is better to teach the young to ra-
ttonally content themselues soith0ut any
knowledge Of cards, aud then, away from
home, they will not be likely to seek
such things, or 10 become the du2es OF
evil and designing men.
That theory of education which favors
training children to the temperate use o,
all thsngs as they lind them-wine, th>:
thca,er, the dance, the card taAle, and SO
on-however heroic it may be deemed, is
not wise, nor safe. 1t is much like the
practice said once to have prevailed
among Svythian mothers. Of throwing IN.
FAINT children into runnin, stream OF
cold water, that only the s;urdy-those
able to survive the test-might remain
on their hands 10 be reared and educated
Far better, if you want 10 save your
children, to keep them out of the stream
entirely.
But, # it is asked, what is the objec
ton to card playing, when apart from
gambling, the answer is this: Its asso
Citations are bad. 1t naturally leads Il
gambling. Cards ere the tools of gamb
the deDs OF vice and shame, in the hands
times used elsewhere. that is their home
len to one, these are the people who mo
nopolize this game. If it were possibl,
10 gather up The record OF this game, i
would be seen tina, it has Minlstered fa
more to vice aud dissipation, than Il
sweetness of temper, cleanness of hands
and purity IF life. 1t may be charged
against Cards, rs game, that it hiss beer
the ruin of more meu aud more fortunes
than all other games OF chance put to
gether.
The woes which men have brought up
on themselves by gambling, are hardly
equalled by anything except those which
they have brought upon themselves By
drinking.
So destructive has ii been that almos
every state has enacted severe law:
against gambling with cards.
There is 4 peculiar fascination abou
the game which makes it very liable u
abuse. The beginning and the ending
are fatally connected and drawn toward
each other with almost irresistible at
traction. If gambling is the rorter. card
playing is the outer ring Of the maelstrona
1t is safer to keep out OF the ring.
Said a celebrated divine, "When look
at cards, see blood in the red srots, auc
sin in the black Ones" The history C.
the game is u history of sin and blood
Why should any good man desire to give
encouragement IL q game which has suct
associations, and so often leads to suct
an end?
2. In regard to billiards, much that
have said Of cards holds true.
II is commonly understood that gentle
men sensitive to their surroundings, fee
obliged to discard billiards. In itself ;
beautiful game, it has been almost impos
sible to keep il clean and wholesome
Private tables are little used. Public sa
looms are the haunts of well-drcssed loaf
ere, and the atmosphere Is distinct,
charged with profanity, drinking, and
small gambling. An incident may be
gwen IN illustration. Last week, a gen
.leman from abroad, who was visiting il
our city, was invited by another stranger
10 play game If billiarAs. They wen
INTO one of the billiard rooms, where n,
liquors are kept, and commenced the
game. When half complete, one Of the
players said: "Now let as stop; I'W paa
for the game. but I must get out Of here;
can't stcnd the filth Of this conversation"
N" gentIemaa OF refined taste or culture
or Of real self:respec', could 60 into M
ordinary billiard saloon and endure wha
he would see and here there.
This matter should be looked at, too, In
the light Of example. What will be the
influence on the young, it prominent men
patr"nize these places, though but sci
dom? A man Is responsible for the IL
huence he exerts. Where there Is any
doub, as to the wisdom Of doing thing
lit him always give his character and his
influence the benefit OF the doubt.
The history Of billiards is not 80 bad
rs that Of cards, but 1t is bad.
II is largely associated with gambling
its surroundings are usually low all de
grading.
LII it he considered in regard to these
and similar amusemeuts, Of which we
have spoken, that they are not aoorthy to
occupy your time. They are no, the
substance Of life; they are not the stuff
out Of which manhood is built. While
the many are amusing themselves, a few
earnest ones are quietly seizing the prizes
If life. Resolve To be one of this nun.
Der. Extr,cate yourself from the gig.
Cling crowd, and enter the protest of your
example against the emasculating idea
50 prevalent, that the main object III life
Is ITO have 4 good lime." Engage in NO
Amusement which does not furnish you a
healthy recreation. which does not leave
you brighter and fresher than it found
you. Have nothing to do with an amuse.
ment which leads you into the company
of the profane, the unclean and the IN.
principled.
Stand clear of all amusements which
interfere with your home Happiness.
DO not let amusement be your life bus,.
ness. Life is An earnest thing. You are
in world where you have much TO do