Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
THE WORLD MOVES.
Bessie Bramble Discusses the Grow
ing Popularity of Card Playing.
AN INNOCENT GAME OF EUCHRE
Is No Longer Looked Upon With Horror BY
Good People.
HOW TO MAKE OUR CHURCHES POPULAR
WRITTEN FOR rHr D1srArcH.l

and other famous evangelists are preaching
against progressive euchre with Ia thunder OF
eloquence and a cyclone of denunciation
that makes the hair of many rise with hor-
ror, the old doctrine of total depravity is re-
ceiving fresh and forcible illustration in the
fact that the game is becoming even more
popular and fascinating than ever. Good
church members have taken to playing
euchre, who had never before touched card
in their lives. 1t has been introduced into
the homes of people who had been brought
up to look upon pack of cards as the
''devips prayer book" 1t has become
an absorbing amusement to thousands
who in their youth would hardly have
picked up a card with a pair of tongs. 1t
is taught to children by mothers who, in
years agone, had been faithfully instructed
that cards meant gambling and all manner
Of abominatio1s, and no one could have any
thing to do with them without committing
a grievous sin. Church members who,once
would not allow deck of cards within their
walls, now play euchre with as much inter-
est and enthusiasm as anyone. Women who
were strictly brought up within the pale of
orthodoxy now see no harm in cards what
ever, and, in short, euchre, whether plain
or progressive, and whist, whether straight
or drive, are the most popular social amuse-
ments going in both religious and secular
circles and among all sorts and conditions
of men.
1t will doubtless be claimed that the
sermons against euchre did not boom the
game, but while the clergy have not per-
haps advertised it as largely and extensively
as they did Robert Elsmere" by preaching
against it, still they have set people to
thinking as to whether there was really any
sin or harm in cards, and the general YER
dict has been given practically in the
negative.
CRUSADES AGAINST CARDS.
That the old order changes is in nothing
more plainly shown than in this apparent
determination of most people to think for
themselves on such points. A few centuries
ago St. Bernardine preached so eloquently
and cOnvincingly against the evils Of
card playing that the people carried all
their cards to the public square and
made huge bonfire OF them-a
markedly different result from that which
follows sermons against card playing in
these days. Men now are more given to
settling such matters by conscience and
common sense, rather than by the dogmatic
utterances of tine pulpit. 1t Is somewhat
interesting fact to learn that when cards
were first introduced into France that the
clergy became so infatuated with, and
addicted to them that the high authorities
in Council assembled felt called upon to
sternly forbid their indulging in such
amusement, since il interfered with their
clerical duties. Still with all the power
of the church against them cards have
ever since their first invention-constituted
a favorite form of amusement, and now the
clergy Of the Roman and Anglican churches
both indulge in quiet game of
whist or euchre and no harm done.
But while the Presbyterian and Meth
odIst and other straighter sects hold
out against them as far as the pulpit is.Con-
cerned, the people in the pews have dis
posed of all scruples, and progressive euchre
and drive whist are as common among pro-
fessors of religion as with the outside world
lings. The minister's soul may be grieVed
and his heart narrowed by the sight of the
slim attendance at prayer meeting, but the
iron goes deeper when he knows that
euchre party presents superior attractions,
and that some of the pillars of his church
are shutting and dealing the decks OF cards,
discoursing upon 'trumps" and "lone
hands" and blowers" and counting
''tricks" and points and games as
leading to the prizes, without thought of
the empty benches, the lifeless songs, the
tedious prayers in the chapel or lecture
room.
THE MARCH OF PROGRESS.
Now it may be very sad, it may conflict
with the old standards, and fail to agree
Al IL =
seems evident that the church must come up
to the times, or be left behind as decaying
institution. Year by year the old irOn-bound
discipline relaxes-old prejudices give way,
old-time laws are repealed, and ancient
usages go down before modern innovations.
The stiff, square, severe, ugly Presbyterian
and Methodist meeting houses have given
place to beautiful churches of brick orstone,
built and decorated in accordance with
modern art and architecture. Instead of the
which alone could satisfy the
severity and simplicity Of the
straight up-and-down forefathers, there are
now to be found beautiful stained glass and
jeweled windows that would raise the hair
OF Calvin, John Knox and Wesley. So op-
posed were these plain folks to the organ or
MuSlC budb ulOUS III
wells time destroyed some of the grandest
churches and finest organs in England in
their zeal of intolerance, and yet now the
sect which held out most determinedlY
against church organs has at last given Way,
and the "kist of whistles" that was so OBJ
noxious to the Puritan forefathers has now
an honored place in the church services of
almost all denominations.
As further sign of progress may be
mentioned the efforts of many PreSbyterians
to have the Westminster confession revised
and amended to the intent that the most
offensive articles of the old time creed and
belief may be withdrawn or modified, mas
much as no one in accord with nineteenth
century civilization can accept them fully
as they stand. The orthodoxy of this age is
also far, very far, away from the old rules
and church standards with regard to dress
and the observances of social life In these
days the church has no rigid laws against
bangs, against putting starch in ruff1es,
against walking abroad on Sunday 1t is
not now considered a sin by even the
strictest and straightest to play the organ,
to use the book of common prayer, to take
pleasure in works of art and literature The
old Presbyterians destroyed every picture of
the Madonna they could find. They delivered
the noblest works of sculpture to the stone
masous to be made decent" They pro-
scribed all amusements. They passed law
making the festival of Christmas fast day
to be passed by the people in bemoaning
the sins of those who had heretofore cele-
brated it as joyous holiday for feaSting,
and good cheer and merry making
UNDER THE NIISTLEToE.
But their descendants have nearly all out
grown this PuriJanic severity. this gloomy