Evening star., 1897-04-09
A GAMBLERS CONVERSION.
A Widows Savings Lost ut Cards Re-
turned to Her.


From the Rchmcnd Dispatch.
Rev. DR.. Stars sermon on Tho One Ele-
ment of Character Which Completes the
Manhood of Man. preached at Broad
Street Methodist Church on Sunday night
proved to be the turning point in the career
Of at least one man, and the sequel to
sensational gambling incident
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 a 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 $1,000, and was all he
had in the world. The youth. 1t seems, had
been animated by a desire to help his wild
owed mother, whose only son he was, and
had saved up ell he could toward buying
home for her. No sooner was Dr. Starr ac-
quainted 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 Sun
day night.
1t was a forlorn hope, but the preacher
carried the day. and was encouraged to
grasp the opportunity which presented it
self. He preached an intensely stirring
sermon on maIliness, and the element
which completes the character of true
ing the facts of the case as to the gambler
and the young man. as far as he had
learned them. adding: when went home
I told my wife about it. not knowing that
anything would ever come of 1t: but in the
assembly before me tonight l see that
gambler with his victim. l will not call
him a highway robber No. he shall hear
only kind words from me now. and yet
will speak the truth. That 81 900 he has in
his possession the result 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 1t back. 1t did not belong
to that young man after he had laid 1t
aside for his mother. That son must carry
out the intent. Let the money go to the
one to whom it morally belongs This re-
quest I make of that gambler: VIII you
see that that widowed mother gets the
81 900 at once?' I leave this matter with
you. I am a 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 back the money to
that poor mother. Gods vengeance Will go
with 1t, and 1t will blister your soul through
all eternity.
The sermon produced a profound sensa-
tion. 1t was so remarkable to near 6er-
sonal 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 by the gambler. The man looked pale
and haggard, and his manner was very
nervous, and seemed slightly brusQue. DIR.
Starr at first misinterpreted his intentions.
but was promptly reassured. The man told
him that he had spent sleepless night.
meditating 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 DIR. Starr, and was on his
way to find him and tell him that he had
resolved never to throw another card
After that declaration the greeting was
a very happy and cordial one. and the part
ing was most tender. The distinguished
divine gave his new acquaintance every en-
couragement to lead a different life.