The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-16
CONCERNING AMUsEMENTs.

What should be the attitude Of the Chris
tan church towards amusements? This
question has been discussed in the pulpit and
press as well as in private circles great deal
for years; and yet there is much need OF
continuing the discussion, because it is q
question which seriously affects the vital in
teresls OF our churches. 1t c,nnot be
doubted that the practice o. ca:d-playing,
pool-playing and dancing, is on the increase
among church members. This is true of
churches which belong to certain denomina-
tiOns that years ago were rigidly opposed to
such things. This is more particularly true
of card-playing and dancing,-at least, it
would seem to be so, from certain indica-
tions. How extensively true it is we are
not in position to judge. Now we arc
quite familiar with the stock-eXcuses and
arguments which all who engage in these
amusements make in defense of the practice.
We frequently hear it said that card-plsy.
ing is no worse than playing domnoes and
checkers; and that if it be sin to play q
game of cards, it Is also sin for Christian
to play game of dominoes or checkers.
Well, we do not say that it is sin to simply
play game Of cards in ones own house, al
though we are aware that some Christian
people affirm that 1t is sin. But we are
willing to 60 so far as to say, that the simple
act of playing game of cards is not a sin.
NeVeTtneIeSS, we uo SAY, tnat lhe Wuoie MS
tory of card-playing is blackened with moral
evil. It is favorite pastme with the great
mass of criminals Of all sorts. 1t is and
ever has been the chief instrument of the
gamblers vocation and is considered q nee
essary part of his outfit. We know that it
is often said that dominoes and checkers
NAV be used and are sometimes used to
gamble with but it is a fact that such games
are not generally used by the professional
gambler.
No such evil and low history attaches to
these games as stigmatizcs cards. And be-
sides all this the associations into which the
practice Of card-playing is very apt to lead
one, is one Of the worst features Of the case.
There are doubtless some Christians who
can play cards In their own families and can
so control themselves that they will never
allow themselves to play with any but the
better class Of people, and even then, with
out going 10 excess But this cannot be
said Of many young Christians, who are
uuentIy induced to mingle with those
whose society is harmful to their spirit
ual interests, Just for the sake of gratifying
their growing passion for the game. And
then there are not a few instances where
Young members of churches have been so
infatuated with this amusement they have
attended card party instead Of their church
prayer meeting held on the same evening;
and here is where the sin and evil of the
thing appears. 1t matters not what the
amusement may bc-if one pursue it to the
neglect OF his Christian ard church duties
it IS a positive sin aud a downright damage
to his spirituality.
AS to dancing the same objections may be
urged against it and even greater ones.
Carried on, rs it often is, it is detrimental to
the physical well-being of the individual, to
saw nothing of the moral aspects Of the case.
Now, it is well-known and indiSpItable
fact, that, as a rule, those church-members
who indulge in the amuscments referred to
are far from being strong i'll Christian life
and character They are. not the ones who
arc spiritual leaders of the churches.
They are not earnest in prayer,
and deeply consecrated to the cause
of Christ. In the very nature OF
things they cannot be, so long as they are
welded to those amusements which invite
them away from the throne of grace and
Christian service. Hence, we say that the
attitude of our churches,-tha Is, those
members of them whose character and IN,
fluencc entities them to be leaders. should
he strenuously opposed to those amusements5
which tend to corrupt, both church and
society. Our pastors should use their in"
Iueuce in this Observation-Disclosures Herald.