Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-17
sonfhaide Bnntist Church.


 There was a large congregation out yesterday morning to hear Rev r. I. Hale the subject of his sermon being: "Ye are Gods building."-I Cor il, 9.
 At the close of his sermon three new members were received by card.
 The evening sermon on the subject or "Gambling" was delivered to far au- dience. Dr. Hale was very emphatic in his denunciation of gambling in all its phases. He took for his text John XiN, 24: Let us cast lots whose shall 1t be.
 He said that he was glad of the oppof- tuntty to preach this sermon; not that he thought any member of his congre- ga1ion was a gambler. but that 1t would be beneficial to the young. The only whipping he ever got from his school teacher, and which had most salutary effect was for gambling with pins, headS and tails. That was one whipping which he never regretted, as he might otherwise have been finally engulfed in the sin Of gambling.
 fudge Catron of the supreme bench has said that gambling is a general evil that leads to vicious inclinatlons, de struction of morals, abandonment of in dustry and honest employment, self respect and frauds, perjury and therts, all of which make up the black catalogue of it's crimes The cause grows from desire to get something for nothing. How these shrewd, unprncipled scoun- dreIs who advertise in all the news papers know human nature. They ad- vertise in black headlines, something for nothing" All know 1t is fraud' vet all read them They are allured by the thoughts of something for nothing. The truth is, that people look too far for the cause of this evil It is bred right in the churches. Every raffie and game or chance in the church inciteS to the Splrt of gambling, and in that respect tne church of God is responsible. Some say that all business is gambling; tnls IS mistake. There is much difference be- tween legitimate business and bucket- shops.
 Gambling is where one gets or eX- pects to get something for nothing. One must lose if the other wins. In legiti- mate business this is not the case, as both have something for their trouble. Both have a chance, but in gambling one is bound to lose.
 The church of God often encourages gambling by it's apparently simple de- vices to obtain money. The fish pond, the grab bag etc, all encourage the young to gamble. The merchant who offers prize with a pack of cigarettes teaches the young men to gamble. Ev- cry person that plays cards for a prize is gambling Some ladies neglect their homes and families to attend card par ties. and their children attend billiard rooms as the result of their mothers gambling.
 CGNIlnulnR, LIT. f1dle SdlQ IH1ic should be equal justice to all. I am op- posed to the police raiding a negro den and arresting the poor negroes for play ing a cent limit of come seven, come eleven, when there are so many white people sitting up in their parlors with prizes many times the value of the fines inflicted upon these negroes. There is a law on the statute books that there shall be no gambling in public places, yet how often is that law enforced in our prom inent hotels and resorts
 Another method of gambling, said Dr. Hale, was speculating in futures He knew but very little about that form of gambling, but knew it was wrong as some one had to lose for the other to gain. He stated that there were three cases in this city of men who had taken their own lives on account of losses from futures.
 Dr. Hale cited the case of the young clerk for Inman, Swann & Co of New York. an account of which was given in yesterdays Age-Herald, who was now languishing behind prison bars owing to his peculations for the purpose of speeu- lation.
 Gambling grows and has such demor- alzing effect that one gets callous and hardened, as evinced by the soldiers casting dice for the garments of Christ, while the blood drops were triclNling down the cross and dripping drop by drop at the feet of the calloused wretches who were casting lots for the garments which was the probable work of some Mazda line
 Dr. Hale wound up with a pathetic prayer for divine help to avoid this form of sin.
 The announcements were made that the Pastors Aid society will meet Tues day at 4 D. m.
 Wednesday night, lessons from the life of Daniel.
 There was one conversion at the night sermon.