The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14

munion set. But you may depend on
1t, that as far as morality is concerned,
you might as well have won by the
crack Of the billiard ball or the turn Of
the dice-box. Do. you wonder that
churches built, lighted, or upholstered
by such processes as that come to great
financial and spiritual decrepitude?
The devil says: Il helped to build that
house of worship, and I have as much
right there as you have" and for once
the devil is right, We do not read that
they had a lottery for building the
church at Corinth, or at Antioch, or
for getting up an embroidered surplice
for st. Paul. All this I style ecclesiasti-
cal gambling. More than one man who
is destroyed can say that his first step
on the wrong road was when he won
something at church fair @
The gambling spirit has not stopped
for any indecency. There transpired in
Maryland a lottery in which people
drew for lots in a burying-ground! The
modern habit of betting about every
thing is productive of immense mis-
chief. The most healthful and inno-
cent amusements of yachting and base
ball playing have been the occasion OF
putting up excited and extravagant
wagers. That which to many has been
advantageous to body and mind, has
been to others the means of financial
and moral loss. The custom is PERM
cious in the extreme, where scores OF
men in respectable life give themselves
up to betting, now on this boat, now
on that; now on this ball club, now Oh
that. Betting that once was chiefly the
accompaniment of the racecourse, is
fast becoming a national habit, and in
some circles any opinion advanced on
finance or politics is accosted with the
interrogation: "How much will you bel
on that, sir 2"
This custom may make no appeal tc
slow, lethargic temperaments, but there
are in the country tens of thousands Of
quick, nervous, sanguine, excitable
temperaments, ready to be acted upon
and their feet will soon take hold or
death. For some months, and perhaps
for years, they will linger in the more
but, after awhile their pathway will
come to the fatal plunge.
Take warning! You are no stronger
than tens of thousands who have by
this practice been overthrown. Nc
young man in our cities can escape be-
ing tempted. Beware of the first begin.
| nings! This road is down grade, anC
| every instant increases the momentum
Launch not upon this treacherous sea
| Splint hulks strew the beach. Ever.
lasting storms howl up and down, toss
| ing unwary craft into the Hell-gate. :?
| speak of what I have seen with my owl
eyes. To a gamblers deathbed there
comes no hope. He will probably die
alone. His former associates come not
| nigh his dwelling. When the hou
comes, his miserable soul will go ou
of miserable life into miserable eter
nifty. AS his poor remains pass the
house where he was ruined, old com.
| panlons may look out for moment ant
| say There goes the old carcase-deac
at last" but they will not get up from
the table. Let him down now into his
grave. Plant no tree to cast it's shade
there, for the long, deep, eternal gloon
that settles there is shadow enough
Plant no "forget-me-nots'' or eglan.
tines around the spot, for flowers were
not made to grow on such blasted
heath. Visit it not in the sunshine.
for that would be mockery, but in the
dismal night, when no stars are out
and the spirit of darkness comes down
horsed on the wind, then visit the
grave OF the gambler.