The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-05-29
CHRISTIAN WORKERS.
EPWORTH LEAGUE CONVENTION
IN ELKTON.
Race Track Gambling Condemned and
the Leagues Resolve to Put Forth
Every Effort for Its
Overthrow.


new lines of work, exchanging suggestions,
and hearing reports of the successful work
they are now carrying on the one hundred
delegates to the Eighth Annual Convention
of the Epworth Leagues connected with the
Wilmington District Methodist Episcopal
Churches, which convened in the Elkton NJ.
E. Church on Wednesday and Thursday,
spent pleasant us well as busy stay of two
days in Cecil's county seat.
Each Of the two daily sessions were
crowded with interesting parts and the busi-
ness of the convention did not las for an
instant, but was carried through with vim
that gave evidence that these christian work
ers of the Epworth League are alive to the
best interests of their organization, which has
become such a power for good throughout
this country.
The reformative influence of all church
organizations was emphasized at every point
by those delivering the very excellent ad
dresses, and on Thursday afternoon especially
was the question of race track gambling in
Cecil county fully considered in its every
detail. The delegates from Wilmington and
other sections of Delaware were thoroughly
alive upon this subject. as before the legisla-
ture of that state Il racing bill is now pending
The speaker of the afternoon. the Rev.
Harvey W Ewing, OF Wilmington, formerly
pastor Of the Tome Memorial Church. Port
Deposit, dwelt upon the "Epworth League
and Reform Movements and made local
application of his subject, in that the Leagues
should begin "A crusade against race track
gambling As now carried on in this county.
Before leaving Cecil county Mr. Ewing was
recognized as one Of the leading workers
against the establishment of the race tracks
here, and naturally his remarks upon the
subject were received with much interest.
He said if there is Il time for Christian
revival in Cecil county it is now, and let the
Epworth Leagues agitate the question OF race
track gambling reform, banishing the race
tracks. and secure organizations Of the young
people with this purpose in view throughout
the county. He suggested that the Leagues
cooperate with the Committee of Public
Safety wherever practicable. and that they
appoint committees and disseminate litcra-
tuIt' ht suggested lnat lHe recent sermon
delivered in Elkton against race track gam
bling by the Rev. A. S. Mowbray be circulated,
and that the members do all in their power
to secure the election of delegates TO the
legislature who would secure the needed
reform. Rev. Mr.. Mowbray spoke upon this
subject and told of the far-rcaching work
now being done throughout the state by the
best citizens of Cecil county who are organ
lied against this race track evil. and in which
work he is most active. A number of others
made remarks upon this matter, which re-
suited in the adoption of the following reso-
lutiOns:
RACE TRACK IN CECIL COUNTY CONDEMNED.
The meeting of the Epworth League con-
vention Of Wilmington District is by the fact
OF its solourn in the town of Elkton at this
time brought face to face with the iniquity of
race track gambling. which is ust now pro-
ducing its many evil fruits in Cecil county,
While as matter of course the worst results
of this institution do not advertise the mselyes
upon the public thoroughfares, yet even IL
casual observer can not fail to see even in the
railroad trains aud upon the streets the mark
of the beast and the debaSed countenances of
his wOrshippers.
We, as young Christian workers, are made
sad at heart and distressed as we learn beyond
a peradventure. that the fair name and char
acter of this goodly community is being so
terribly blackened. The vice of gambling
not only upon the race tracks, but in clubs
hotels, billiard rooms, upon the streets school
grounds and even in the highways and behind
hedges, ms well as in many of the homes has
become fearfully prevalent The presence of
a horde OF professional gamblers and race
track followers with their loud and vulgar
manners, their profanity and their specious
advocacy OF every form of vice. has greatly
weakened the power of religious and moral
teaching, paralyzed public sentiment and
shocked the arm of the law. Many of the
effects of this sad invasion cannot be soon
cured even If the cause were removed The
trail of the serpent will long be seen in Elk
ton. The ruin of the purity of the homes
and the degradation Of fair young woman
hood can not he cured by Legislative enact
ment, but the sooner the flood of death is
checked the better.
These indubitable facts make it proper that
we. the convention of the Epworth League
for the Wilmington District. should express
our profound sympathy with the good people
of Elkton who have SO kindly welcomed us,
and that we should further pledge these peo-
pie our utmost endeavor in every way to help
them get rid of the institution so unjustly
foisted upon them.
AGAINST RACING IN DELAWARE.
That while we thus observe and record
the practical effects of the introduction of
the race track in any community represent
ing. as we DO, over 1000 membership in the
Methodist Episcopal Church in New Castle
county, Delaware, and the city of Whining
ton, we earnestly protest against the passage
of the bill now before the Legislature of
Delaware proposing to egalize such an insti-
tuition in the State of Delaware, and request
that committee of three-Rev. w. l.. S.
Murray. ID. d., Rev. II. Il. Martndale, ID. d..
and Rev. II. w. Ewing, A. NJ. be "A committee
to inform that body of this action.
AGAINST SOCIAL CARD PLAYING.
1t is our deliberate judgment based on
careful and abundant observation that race
track and other gambling associations find n
ready evil prepared for their evil work in all
our communities where they have chance
to operate. by the fashionable forms of home
gambling conducted simply for amusement.
Progressive euchre and like forms of games
of chance as played often in the parlors of
Christian people simply train the mind and
prepare the heart to be the ready accomplice
and victim Of professional gamblers. Our
young ladies, whether members of the Ep-
worth League or not. who encourage their
young friends to play cards or indulge other
forms OF fashionable gambling in their homes
may reasonably expect their friends to
go to the race track and the Gambling
den and through these to II speedy destruc-
ton. Our young people who have society
gambling in their homes, SOW to the wind