Connecticut western news., 1899-03-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Cards and Christians.

Editor of Netcs:
 The criticism of ". Hist in your re- cent issue, moves me to say something on the same subject. The writer he alludes to certainly did not make a csre- ful statement. If all the playing cards in the world were destroyed tomorrow there would be plenty of "book- k-mskers left to encourage races; plenty of men Ion change" to gamble in wheat, stocks and what not; plenty of money chang 1 ing hands at the ball games and athletic contests. Who is responsible for all these? Some Christians among them I fear.
 Neither can think that there is in- herent wickedness in cardboard adorn- ed (?) with red and black spots and caricatures of men and women. Yet it was no wonder that our Pilgrim and Puritan ancestors were set against them. for they were closely associated with thel corrupt. swearing, drin kiEg society Of that day, which persecuted those who would live sober and godly lives." The Methodisls had the same reasons after ward for denouncing them. Everybody played cards and everybody gambled with them. The Church. alasl was one with the world. The Methodists, like Luther, tried to reform. within the | Church, but were forced out.
 Is not the Church falling away again and forgetting her high privilegesp Is she training her young people up to the best things? have no such prejudice against cards that I ''would not have them in the house." nor would forbid children to play with them. But they should be taught nere,' to play for the smallest stake, and I would discourage rather than encourage playing, by try ing to interest them in something better. For there are serious objections to play ing cards. particularly for Christians.
 Firstly, those outside the church do criticise card playing Christians. It doesn't look just the thing to them. And the scripture says "Avoid even the appearance of evil"
 Secondly, the law of liberty applies only as far it does not hurt our brother. The same principle applies here as in the temperance question. You. very likely. can play game of cards. with rr,k af fxn hw,o or care. and turn away with more inter- est to something else. But more people cannot do it. Once begun, they cannot seem to stop. A fascination seems to grow upon them. If they gain, they must repeat as proof of skill they lose-they must retrieve themselves I have seen people who could apparent ly fiud no other occupation or smuse- ment. rather they neglected their occu- patton and played morning, noon and night. When there was no one to play with them they played alone. Do you want to start any young persons on that course?
 Thirdly, it is an unsocial game. Christians should not be selfish in their recrestions. have more than once seen the pleasure of an evening spoiled for part of company, because a certain set would not join in anything but cards. It discourages conversation and harm less gayety. --.....-.
 Fourth, is it ''redeeming the timer" When there is so much worth learning, worth doing in this world can we afford to pass time SO uselessly2
 "When was a child, thought as child. But when I became man put away childish things" It seems to me when Christian women, who in all their busy, useful lives have never learned the difference between spades and Jacks, sit down to be initiated into the mysteries, and try to interest themselves in the various games of cards because every body does it, they are going back to childish things. instead of going on to perfection. I have known of party of business men who used to meet night after night at one of the places of busi- ness to play cards far into the night But after two of them were converted they found interest Tn higher things Their influence had not been good on the young men of the place, though they were moral men. and now they wanted it wholly on the right side.
 Ask any pastor you know if his most helpful, spiritual church members play cards. Those who are ready to take bible class, or pray at the side of sick person or look up those in the highways and hedges and bring them into the church.
 We do not have to go to the cities to look for "the submerged tenth; they are here with us. and it is not the minis ters alone who should try to pull them out. TLe command still stands s'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gos- pei to every creature"
 When there are so many channels now to take the smallest stream of help and direct it to useful work; to say noth- ing of close personal work for the Mas ter, how can we help "buying up the opportunities.
 LAYMAN