The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-28
THE WEATHER AGAINST HIM.
REV. BAsCOM ANTHONY's GAMBLING
SERMON AGAIN POSTPONED.

SERMON AGAIN POSTPONED.
Conservation was Too Small, He
Thought-He Has Been Investigate
Ing the Subject and Has some
Plain Words which I've Desires to
speak-NOt Difficult, He Says, to
PInce the Fingers Upon Those Who
Are Responsible for This Condi-
tfon-The Onths Taken by the
Judges. solicitor and Grand Jurors
May BE Cited-EviIs Which Beset
Young Men in the cities Discussed.
The elements seem to be in league with
the gamblers and against the preachers,
at least 20 far as Rev. Bascom Anthony
is concerned. For two successive Sunday
nights it has been announced that Rev.
Mr.. Anthony's sermon at Trinity Church
would be upon the subject of gambling,
and direct limitations have been given
that the sermon would have a strong local
application.
Sunday night before last a sudden thun-
derstorm prevented the holding of any
services at Trinity. ana it was announced
that Rev Mr.. Anthony would deliver his
sermon on gambling on the succeeding
Sunday night The heavy downpour of
rain yesterday afternoon, which contin-
ued until the hour of beginning services
at night, again frustrated Mr.. Anthony in
his intention. Services were held, but the
attendance was so small that the preach
er decided to again postpone the sermon.
In opening his remarks Rev. Mr.. An
thOny said that the sermon which he had
announced was one which he desired
should be generally heard by a large
number of the people of Savannah in order
that its effect might be more widespread
To address a sermon against gambling to
the small and eminently respectable con-
gregation which confronted him, he said,
would be as great a breach of propriety
as to address a womans prayer meeting
on the Nervousness of the use of profane
language.
Il am somewhat in a quandry as to
what I should do in the matter" said Mr.
Anthony. Il believe that it is time that
the pulpit should speak out against this
evil. l have made some Investigations of
the subject and l have some views which
l desire to express, but l wish them to
become more generally known than the
size of the audience win warrant 1 am
attempt ed to announce that this sermon
will be the standing announcement for
the fist fair Sunday night between now
and Jan. /"
Rev. Mr.. Anthony said that he was
very much pleased with the stand taken
by the newspapers of the city with refer
ence TO gambling and he regretted that
they had not continued the agitation on
the subject. Il have a few things which
! wish to say upon this subject" he said
and / shall say them plainly. The ex-
istence of the gambling evil In our city is
a matter of public notoriety. There are
men who are responsible for this state
Of affairs aud 1 do not think it will be
difficult to lay our fingers upon them.
What I shall have TO say with regard to
them will not he said harshly, but fairly
courteously and plenty"
Mr.. Anthony is said by those with whom
he has discussed this subject 10 have
looked up the oaths taken by the judges
the solicitor general and the members OF
the grand juries and he proposes to show
wherein these gentlemen have fallen short
of their oaths in their performance of the
duties. Mr. Anthony said last night af-
ter his sermon that he had made some
personal Investigations. In making the
rounds among his parshoners he found
the policy shops running openly and saw
not only negroes. but respectfully dress
ed men and women coming out OF the
shops or Offices Mr.. Anthony is a very
plain speaker and it Is safe to say that
his remarks upon the gambling business
as conducted in Savannah and the failure
of the officers of the law to do their duty
in suppressing it viii be decidedly inter
esting
In his further remarks Mr.. Anthony
spoke of the evils which heset the young
men who come to the cities from the
county and the number who weakly sur
render 10 these temptations and make
shipwreck of'their lives He held that
the churches are largely to blame for
such a state Of affairs In that they allow
these conditions to exist and throw no
adequate safeguards around those who
are untitled by previous experience to cope
with them.