The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-24
IL Gambling Sinful?

II gambling In itself 10 sin and crime,
as SAM JONES says 1t is, speculating on tho
chances OF tho markets Is unQucstionably
sinful, "a he also declares.
Tho people who arc now buying grain on
tho Produce Exchange arc betting on rise
in It's price because OF tho shortness Of tho
European crops. The farmers who are hold
Ing back their wheat for higher prices under
the advice of tho Farmers Alliance, arc tak-
ing gambling risks. Both the bulls and the
bears of the Stock Exchange are gamblers.
Morally. too. tho plous players OF the game
OF progressive cuchre nre In the same boat.
1t Ia true that tho prizes are provided by the
hostess, and are not stakcs put IN by tho
players themselves, but thcy can be won
only In the chances OF a gsme at cards.
Hence n committee Of tho last Presbyte-
rian Geucrnl Assembly placed progressive
euchp In tho samo category with
poker and faro MS sinful games. tho
sin consisting in tho appeal to chance In
the hope u obtaining q substantial reward;
and hence SAN JONES cries out against the
Inconsistency Of deacons and elders who
hovo holy horror OF oven penny-nnte
poker. and yet play progressive euchre as
harmless and not unbecoming diversion.
That Is tho theory on which tho whole OF
the religious opposition to games OF chance
is based. 1t does not discriminate between
playing for stakes and playing for prize,
as is done In tho strict definition OF the term
gambling. but classes tho two together as
sinful IN principle. In former days tho
evangelical cnmmunlons, 80 called. carried
their opposition still further. They de-
4 iury q 1,-to
even II there were neither stakes nor prizes.
They declared that, az the games involve an
appeal to chance, indulgence In them is .
pagan pastime and obnoxious to tho Chris
tian law. Even now this sentiment ia
strong In such churches. as appears fire.
Quently In their formal deliverances against
worldly amusements. They say. Also that
tho habit Of card playing generates a ten
dency to take gambling chances destructive
of the soul. and lowers Christian to the
Lowell Of the ungodly. "As long as a pack Of
cards Is In existence" says SAM JONES, 1.-THE
evil remains
Very few people, Christian or pagan, would
be likely to choose SAM JONES as moral
exemplar. but undoubtedly on this subject
he expresses the average sentiment OF the
Baptists Methodists. Congregationalists.
and Presbyterians Of this country genera
ton ago. II not at the present day. Gam
bling is still regarded among them as ain,
not as an imprudence. or as form OF amuse-
ment liable to dangerous abuses so far as
the pockets Of the gamblers are concerned.
In substance. therefore, they treat as sinful
the taking Of risks and chances to win
money, and they justify SAM JONES in his
assault on all spectators as unfit for mem
bership In their churches.
Yet the element Of speculation enters, and
necessarily enters, into business generally.
No man can DO certain OF what Is to happen
In the future. He must take the risk OF his
judgment rs to what the outcome will be,
whether he buys stocks or grain. iron, cot
ton. provisions. or land. II the mere taking
OF risks Is sinful. nobody can escape that sin
In the changes and chances OF this mortal life