, 1900-02-13
A SUNDAY SERMON
ETHICS OF THE CARD TABLE DIS
CUSSED BY REV. NICE OF
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Great Essential in This World
NowIs to Make People Believe That
Good Rules, and Nothing Like
Blind Luck VIII Ever Amount to
Anything in Life"

Anything in Life"
1t is not my purpose to give vent to
any tiradeag alnst card playing and
quote illustrations from life showing
how Ilany crimes are committed in the
world as a direct result of the same.
Ionly wish to sommonthe consciences
of Christian men and women and 9TH
ers, if possible, TO do so face to face
with the charge a. given by the Apos-
tie Paul in | Corinthians, 14:26.
Let all things be done unto edify-
ing"
God has given us the life to live
upon this earth and it is one sensible
for men and women to stop and con-
slider just this one question, Am | being
edited by the course of my life or am
| not?
Many people of mature years are dis
posed to advise the young and caution
them against some of the pitfalls they
have escaped, but nine times out of ten
advice is unheeded and experience
sought by the young themselves.
A bishop in the Church of England
said there was no harm in gambling
or betting, as the bible gave no spe-
cific charge against it. The bible says
nothing about eating green apples, but
you will know what the cholera means
IL you Iersist in doing SO. What Il
vivid way to stretch the bible when you
want to make it suit your w selfish
ness and lack of spirituality.
The foundation principle undertaking
opposition again st all games Of chance
is that 1t fosters a spirit among people
that luck is a ruling power in the uni
verse. 1t is true tia the unexpected
may happen as General Butler found
out so recently in South Africa, but the
wise mar prepares for all chances that
might occur and meets them like a
man.
Voltaire said that chance, in sense
of luck, is void of sense; nothing can
exist without a cause If men realiz-
ed what this means they would depend
more upon their W exertions and the
rulings of Providence and mo- waste
their lives waiting for something to
happen.
The children Of Israel used casting
of the lot when in difficulty but they
did so in the distinct faith that God
was the one who would answer. 1t is
sacrilege now to think that any
games Of cards, dice throwing or other
games OF chance are played in the spirit
of Israel. God is far away from the
thoughts of gamesters now. The great
essential in this world now is to make
people believe that God rules and he
alone, and nothing like blind luck Will
ever amount to anything in your life
or mine.
Anything in this world which puts
luck in place of God, deadens the sensi-
bilities of men and women and puts far
away the day when Christ shall reign
upon earth.
This good old world gen orally gives
paoh 10 ii man Just "hat NC puts mo
l. anu 1t Is d POSITIVE SIN F"heh Shris-
'iahs aiio" .he minus OF She young 10
slo" up win the iuea that IL lucky al
VIII oe right IL IL uhiucks thes might
as wen commit suicide.
ohris'iahs pay CARDS IN their MONIES
md have Tho 49,, ,oN,i ,aa thn, l,,al.
a"u nave the young people see nat luck
mas d great deai 10 20 with the skill
OIL Playing II thehs quickly they are
'enhpteu 10 say that honest work ooes
not pay, out iuek WINS IN 'he long run.
me uu'y We owe 10 young people is
10 snow them 9IeariE that they VIII
succeed IN NE u pressing OF dod upon
their !" endeaeor ana not Simply by
the turn OF fof'tune IN the way OF
chahee. we wFlld AVE tewer ioaters
ana idiers upon the street waiting Tor
somethihg &c Purn up II such IDEAS OF
mes au.ies We're incuicateu IN their
mihus "heh young III experience.
once IN a w'hile You hear OF some old
nniner VINO mas struck II rlch ana no"
IS TOiilnS III money, ana you say, How