The Washington times., 1895-05-20
II People Don't PatrOnize Its Re-
sorts They Will Disappear.
REV. FRANK SEWELL'S VIEWS
Cordial Response to the Board of
Trades Appeal-Gov. O'Ferran,
However, Not Altogether Wrong
in Asserting That the Chief Patrons
of the Dens Are of This City.

Rev. Frank Sewell, pastor of the New
Church Chapel, on Thirteenth street, yester-
daymorning before turning to his text, spoke
of the recent action OF the Board of Trade
in relation to the Jackson City evils.
Rev Mr. Sewell said: ut is not an in
frequent occurrence to ask the civil
authorities to wipe out existing public
nuisances; but in the citizens mass meeting,
recently held under the auspices of the
Board of Trade, We have seen an inter
esting and noteworthy instance of an
important organization created for secular
uses, calling on the churches for aid in
pulling down immoral institutions.
No one present at that meeting could
fail to see the deep and strong moral
motives that underlay its action and that
makes its appeal one worthy of all re-
spect and ready cooperation.
The evils alluded to are the various modes
OF gambling and other vicious and unla wful
practices which are carried on in connec-
ton with the races at Jackson City and other
places on the Virginia side of the potomac.
MORAL TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
communication of the board of trade COM
planning that these evils are carried on
just on our borders, but without the pale OF
our jurisdiction, has replied with entire
justice, that while the laws violated are
those of the State of Virginia the per
sons violating them are mostly Washing
tonians or persons from this city, and while
the governor declares his earnest wish to
the evil he suggests that there are two
methods through which it may be accom-
plished: Either of which would be ef
fectual. One for the State of Virginia to
enforce rigidly the laws which are vio
lated, and the other for the people Of
Washington to stay at home and cease TO
patronize those who thus violate the laws
and so let those institutions of vice die
for want of support.
This view of the matter affords a
wholesome Illustration of the fact that
every moral truth is a two-edged sword.
1t strikes at the reformer as well as at the
reformed always, and borrows most of It's
strength in cutting its destined object from
the severity of its blows on the conscience
OF the one who wields it.
In other words, the public spirit that
cures evils is that which comes from the
appearance of the evil in ones self, and
does notconfine itself to the mere condemna-
ton of il in others. This is not said in
disparagemeut of the movement started
by the citizens, but is helping it in the only
way the church can; that is. by pointing
to the moral principle involved in those
measures, aud bringing those principles to
bear alike on all concerned.
1.-The thing to be removed is the evil of
gambling with the other flagrant vices that
have kept it company, and it is plain to see
that the ultimate and real moral cure is
only in creating in the victims of those vices
an appearance of them and q purpose to
abstain from them.
VIRGINIA MUST INTERFERE.
d" In the meantime, so far as they are pub
lie nuisances. the State of Virginia has a
right to interfere and enforce its laws
for their suppression, and what the church
can do is to use its influence in leading
men and women to abhor the evil itself
so that they will be glad to aid and not
willing to hinder the civil authorities
in enforcing the laws.
- The church in denouncing gambling is
only denOuncing a violation of the divine
commandment which forbids stealing or
getting something for which we give moth
ing in return; or the getting for ourselves
in way that means just so much ruin
to our neighbor. and it is this spirit of self
advantage byth direct injury of our neigh
Dor that we are TO rcligiously shuD. if We
are to be sincere in our efforts to put down
this evil which has become so flagrant a
public offense.
1T viii notdO to condemn gambling when
it is publicly practiced in the disreputable
resorts across the river while we counte-
nance il in The form of social games in our
parlors, or as raffling and other forms OF
lotteries in church fairs.
THE fascination that leads to gambling is
a strong one, and is nursed and nourshedby
mnay seemingly innocent and respectable
practices insociety and business transactions.
1t is the feeding of this unhealthy appetite
that makes gambling popular in its most
Injurious aud flagrant forms, even to where
those who are enticed go almost as victims
with their eyes open, self-convinced and self
condemned, into snares SetfOr them.'