Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-04-27
A GAMBLER's CONVERSION.
\ Widows Savings Lost at Cards Re-
turned to Her.
IFrom Tie Richmond Dispaich.l


Rev. DR.. Starts sermon on THE One
Element of Character Which Completes
the Manhood of Man." preached at
Broad Street Methodist Church on Sun
day night, proved to be the turning point
in the career of at least one man, and the
SEQUEL to a sensational gambling Incl
dent.
The popular preacher was waiting on
Broad street for car last Tuesday, when
a gentleman stepped up to him. and
pointing to two men who had just passed,
told him that the older of the two was
gambler, and the younger his pigeon.
They had played the Sunday before IN
Washington, and the gambler had won
the boys savings, which amounted to
81 600. and was all he had in the world.
The youth, it seems, had been animated
by desire to help his widowed mother,
whose only son he was, and had saved
up all he could toward buying home
for her. No sooner was DR.. Starr ac-
ouainted with these facts than he walked
across to the men. and handed his card
to the gambler, expressing the hope that
he might see both men at his church on
Sunday night.
1t was a forlorn hope, but the preacher
carried the day. and was encouraged to
grasp the opportunity which presented
itself. He preached an intensely stirring
sermon on manliness, and the element
which completes the character of true
man. and he reached the climax by relat-
ing the facts of the case as to the gatnb-
Ter and the young man, as far as he had
learned them, adding: When 1 went
home told my wife about it, not know
ing that anything would ever come of it;
but in the assembly before me tonight
see that gambler with his victim. will
not call him highway robber- No, he
shall hear other kind words from me now,
and yet 1 will speak the truth. That
81, 900 he has in his possession as the re-
suit of the game does not belong to him.
HE did not make the money honestly.
| There is Just one thing for him to do, and
that is to give it back. 1t did not belong
to that young man after he had laid it
aside for his mother, That son must
carry out the intent. Let the money go
to the one to whom it morally belongs
This request l make of that gambler:
''Will YOU see that that widowed mother
gets the 81, at onceF / leave this
matter with you. am man you are
a man. Not long hence we will stand at
the bar of God, and this may be my last
chance to tell you that if you fail to give
| To that mother
Gods vengeance will go with it, and it
will blister your soul through all eternity"
The sermon produced profound SEN
sation 1t was so remarkable to hear
personal allusion of the kind from the
pulpit and no little curiosity was evinced
as to the object of the sally.
The words had not fallen on barren
ground, for yesterday morning as DR..
Starr was on his way to the meeting of the
| Methodist Ministerial Association he was
met my the gambler. The man looked
pale and haggard, and his manner was
verv nervous, and seemed slightly
brueaue. DR.. Starr at first misinterpreted
his intentions, but was promptly reas-
sured. The man told him that he had
spent sleepless night, medltatlng on the
sermon, and that he had risen yesterday
morning resolved to make reparation
and send the money he had won from
his young friend to the boys mother
He had sent the money off by express
Just before he met DR.. Starr, and was on
his way to find him and tell him that he
had resolved never to I" throw another
card"
After that declaration the greeting was
very happy and cordial one, and the
parting was most tender. The distin-
guished divine gave his new acquaintance
every encouragement to lead different
life.