The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-28
The SERMON.

Timothy v, ZZ: "Nelther DC partakers OF
other mems sins"
on one or two former occasions 1 have
preached from this same text as one strong
ly setting forth the doctrine OF human
responsibility. IL applies TO everyone, old
and young, in reference 10 the influence
We exers for good or evil. No man can
escape the results Of his own influence.
Whether by action or by neglect We be-
come factor in shaping the lives OF
Others. No man liveth TO himself and no
man dieth to himself. OF innumerable
applications that might be made OF this
subject, one is brought into prominence
in our city today in q manner that cannot
be ignored. Ii Is not pleasing subject,
and yet 1t is forced upon US by the events
ofth past year and by the duty OF the
present. q" Be not partakers OF other
mems sins" We partake OF them not
merely by committing the same, but III
we do not protest ana do our utmost to
destroy them. The special vice to which
j aliude, and which has reached alarming
proportions in our State, is the vice OF
rambling. speak of it in this morning
service because you have responsibility,
. danger and q need OF the warning BE
not partakers of other mems SINS"
Why Is gambling sin?
Some like to go back to inquire into
the reason OF things-some are puzzled to
answer such question, and some like TO
defend themselves by sophistry. They
will say that games are useful and afford
. pleasant relief-that all ages and nations
have practiced them, and that they tend
TO preserve our youth. SO far, SO good.
Games that promote exercise and strength
have special value. Games OF skill are
, pheasant. and, to q certain degree, improv-
inr. Games of chance, like Backgammon,
are OF less value, but still not worthless.
Gambling, however, Is another thing.
IL has an element Of unfairness to begin
~ m
something besides honest labor. There Is
no fair equivalent for money won. For
= man to make his living by gambling
q everyone would sdmit--surely nothing
could be more disgracefui. But IL so, why
Is it proper TO make anything out OF
il? 70 coin from your neighbor's pocket
. large sum or all he has will be thought
cruel. Where then is the right OF taking
anything? All such gains are dishonest.
Ut 10 only the difference between grand
larceny and petty.)
This may seem to some Of you quite too
plain for argument, but am not so OLD,
but that know the tone OF young men, and
how they beguile themselves with specious
statements. They say that little risk
adds spice to the game, and makes 1t far
more exciting. This Is the evil of 1t. 1t
changes the nature of the amusement
from recreation to serious pursuit. 1t
becomes mo more preparation for labor
but an exhaustion. Ii fevers the brain, 1t
strains the nerves, and awakens even in
some noble minds q flame that devours all
else. The French writer, Lacordaire, thus
descibes it.: "Chancc and cupidity mixed
turn play into personal drama, exciting
and Joyous. Then hope, fear, pleasure
and gloom succeed each other, or are even
confornded at the same moment and keep
man painting under fever mounting
even TO fury, for IL we speak Of the passion
of wine-we may speak OF the fury Of
gambling"
A Word Picture.
SHOW sad the spectaclel The party
begins gaily, like pleasure party. The
guests breathe confidence, interest, gaiety.
All at once their faces darken. In a hot at
mosphere, charged with electricity, their
brows knit, and bad passions, instincts
assert themselves. He who wins cannot
disguise repulsive joy. He who loses
has his features discomposed, he is broken,
crushed, and his misfortune is no
more respectable than it Is pleasant
to look at" Surely this description
OF one who had seen all grades of society
Is no more than true. Every week brings
TO light the miseries OF gambling in some
suicide or reckless crime, and the miseries
that lie concealed are but fairly indicated
by such horrors. 1t Is said that in Nice
there have been as many as 100 suicides a
year OF those whom gambling has brought
TO ruin and despair. And yet some one
will say that little betting or a little
stake at cards will do no harm. There
are those who escape, no doubt, with few
scars that show-yet the thought OF
Others who have dashed over the precipice,
while they kept safely from its edge, will
return some time to curse them. While
there Is dishonesty in the principle, there
is likely to be cheating I'm the practice.
All professed gamblers are cheats. Ii is
= inevitable. All gambling houses from
highest to lowest are built on fraud. They
are rightly called hells. The evil that is
done by them Is incalculable, and those
who speak lightly OF betting or gambling
In any form are increasing the danger.
Those, too, who own such property, and
receive money from the gains OF this
miserable vice, are in part responsible.
BE not partGker lof other mems sins. -
know IL will be said that betting is a
trihe-a natural expression OF the posi-
tiyeness OF ones opinion. 1t will be said
also that lotteries were approved by the
rigid Puritans. and used for building
churches and many other things; that
charitable societies have been aided
by means of Them. Well, that