St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-27
AREFoRMED GAMBLER.

Mason Long and His s'PiIgrims," as
They Conduct Their Religious
Services.
Two large white horses attached to an
open wagon, of the style used by patent
medicine fakirS, was driven up near the
electric light mast on Bridge square yeSter-
dav afternoon. On each side of the wagon
was the word Pilgrims. " in gold letters,
and inside the vehicle was 2X4 parlor
organ and five gentlemen, each OF the gum
tette being neatly dressed and wearing
highly polished silk tiles The hrSt notes
of a song entitled Meeting the Saints in
the Morning" as warbled by four OF the
occupants drew motley crowd about the
outfit. The speaker of the party at the
conclusion of the vocal selection, announced
himself as Mason Long, the converted gam
bier. and made short prayer. The
boys as Mr.. Long called the quartette,
sang another selection, and the converted
gambler at once launched out in forcible
talk about the evils of drinking whisky,
card playing and dancing. From his re-
marks ii was evident that he had been
something of a rounder at some time in
his life. as he used a number OF sporting
terms in his discourse. He claimed to
speak only from personal experience, and
said whisky and cards had lost him parents,
home and everything that made life pleas
ant. but that eight years ago he joined
church in Fort Wayne, Ind. and since
then had been doing great work. lie re-
lated the usual StereOtyped parallels about
bows who learned To play cards at home
becoming regular gamblers and playing
casino at So a game. Progressive euchre
he denounced As great evil, and game
which no Christian parent should allow
their children to play. Dancing was also
condemned. and two pathetic and senSa-
fiOnaI stories about young girls being led
astrav from learning TO dance, were related.
These heartrending stories, together with
numerous other sketches of like nature, the
speaker said could be found in his book or
autobiography. entitled. MASON Long. the
Reformed Gambler" With a deal of fore
sight. however, he made only passing
alusion to the work at this time, but ex-
blamed that his expenses were $40 day,
and that during his four days stay in st.
Paul he had
COLLECTED BUT SAG.
He took a small tin pan, and, asking all
those anxious to help him on in the good
work to contribute, started to take up
collection. while 1.-The boys" sang another
song. He did not announce the amount
collected. but from the appearance of the
pan when he finished. not more than eight
dollars was realized. As soon as the collec
ton was taken, he made a short
speech about his autobiography, which
he had for sale at 81 each. He
claimed that he at first used
to give the work away, but so great was
the demand for it that the publisher or
dered him to stop the free distribution. He
said some people objected to taking the
books into their family, claiming that it was
best not to let children know of vice in its
various forms. This. he said, was wrong,
and the best way to do was not to keep
children in ignorance but rather point out
to them the evils of temptation. The
boys sang another song. and twelve or
fifteen purchasers filed up to the wagon and
paid 81 each for the books. The con
verted gambler" said he did not like to
traffic on the Lords day, but as he intended
to stay in town but two days more. would
give those desiring an opportunity to pur-
chase.
IN THE EVENING.
He announced a meeting at Plymouth
church in the evening and advised his
hearers to be present. What he wanted
was those who were not in the habit of at
tending church. The sale of his book being
rather limited. he next called attention to a
song book, which the ''bOys" used. con-
tanning seventy-six hymns and songs, for
the small sum of So cents. The boys"
sang Sweet Evening Bells" and The
Soldiers Farewell" but as only one pur-
chaser for the hymn books appeared the
meeting was declared closed and the wagon
driven off. A large audience greeted the
reformed gambler at Plymouth church last
evening and listened to his ideas of Chris
tian duties. Outdoor meetings, including
the sale of autobiography and hymn books
will be held to-day at and 7:30 p. m. at
Rice park. From here the troupe will go
to Minneapolis for weeks stay.