The sun., 1898-01-16
NOT 50 BAD AS PRINTED.
The Kent Club May He An Influence
For Good Instead Of Evil.


special to TIE Sun.
DOVER, Jan. l5.-The only preacher in
Dover who has not heretofore expressed
his opinion Of that cozy little institution
the Kent Club. expressed himself today
and verify the last Was better than the
first.
For some time past the divines OF Del.
aware's capital have been raising hue
and cry over the Kent Club.
The members were known to play
cards-true not for money-and to dance.
This state OF affairs so shocked the sensi-
bilities Of these sanity men that they
rushed into their pulpits and cried out
against this "den Of iniquity."
One good brother went 60 far as to say
that if he thought that his boy, when he
grew to manhood, would ever touch a
card he would thankfully sec him in his
coffin.
So the cry went down the line. Pas
tor, rector and preacher took up the
slogan. 1.-THE Kent Club is manufactur-
ing blacklegs. 1t is fostering iniquity.
They dance and in other ways show
their disregard of the tenets Of the
church."
Not content with laundering their de-
nunciation from the pulpit, some OF these
strict Christians rushed into print, and
through the columns of the local press
gave wide expression to their opinions.
Through all this dcluge Of opposition
and abuse the club maintained discreet
and dignitied silence. Their friends were
not so chary in expressing their opinions
and the matter was freely discrss al
most everywhere.
One man who keeps Il popular hotel
said that he thought he was the one to
kick, as his receipts had fallen off over
81 day since the institution of the
Kent Club.
He also expressed the opinion that the
club was welding an Influence for good
in the moral and habits OF the young
men which far exceeded that OF any
church or paster in Dover.
fpNi W" Fierce, pastor '"i the First
Baptis, thurcn was seen today and asked
to express an opinion OF the club.
He has been the guest of the club upon
at least one occasion and would naturally
know what he saw He stated that he
had seen nothing Objectionable about
the club. The young men were gentle
men, and, while they played cards, he
understood that the rules of the club
strictly prohibited gambling, and he had
the assurance OF Il man in whose word he
placed the utmost confidence that the
rules We're strict ly observed.
II this was 50 it was simply matter OF
individual conscience whether dancing
card playing and pool were wrong. He
had kept out of the controversy SO far
because he thought the matter would
wear itself ont. He contemplates preach
ing sermon probably on tn" first Sun
day in February to which the club in Il
body will be invited.
Mr.. Pierce cited an instance of
mother who came to him and said that
she thanked God for the Kent Club. on
her boys account. So to everything
there is a brighter side. Though many
are weak, and, learning to play cards in
u social way, may afterwards gamble
the chances are ten to one that they
would learn anyhow and under worse
circumstances.
Gambling is strictly prohibited and all
games of chance are forbidden on the
Sabbath. While il is possible that the
rules may be broken, it is at least not
done openly and the men who break
them are of the kind who will be found
in every class of men--the exceptions.
The above is the expression OF the ma.
jority of the people here. As for the
club it has so far said little and is still
enjoying its quarters in the Priscilla
RIuck.