The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-20
WAS WELL THRESHED OVER.
Morning Meeting Had "a Vigorous
Billiard Debate, Too


But the general ministers meeting In
the morning had, after thorough discus
sion Of the subject, Endorsed the proposal
to add billiards to the list of games in
the Grub. The meeting was made up of
city pastors assembledsin response to an
invitation OF, Secretary Grace to confer
with him in regard to extending the games
department of the association.
secretary Grace asked the pastors to
countenance the experiment of placing
billiard tables and a bowling alley in the
local association for one year.
Rev. w. w. Everts opposed the sugges-
ton from the start
F1rSt-1t IS but fair to state that there
are tnose whose opinions are worthy of
consideration, who contend that not only
bllllards, but all so-called secular agen-
c!es have warped and twisted the asso-
cation out of its real, original design,
ana mat secular privileges now almost
totally eclipse what is termed the spirit
uai WORK OF the association. And they
cmef1y object to billiards because they
lear the game will be further encroach-
ment on the associations spiritual life
and work
Church work is transcendently import
ant, but can no longer resist belief that,
with over hundred churches In a city
like st. Paul bidding young men well
come in Bible classes and PRAYER meet
lngs, only a small handful will resort to
the association for these holy privileges
and they viii be mainly of the class al
ready enjoying such privileges at the
churcheS, and, therefore, the class least
subjected to the city's tremendous temp
tations.
Second-The second objection to billiards
Is, that the saloons and other places Of
impure influence almost monopolize them
IRIS is rather reason why the associa-
ton should adopt billiards. 1t must be
taken. into account that, in spite of the
combined opposition of the church and
the y; M. c. A, billiards have steadily
gained In favor among young men.
Ih1rd-lt is urged against billiards that
II young men learn at the Y NJ. G. A.
they might like the game so we'll that
they may afterwards go to the saloons to
play.
Fourth-One of the strongest arguments
which l have heard urged against bill
lizards is that the game is so attractive
as to readily become a dissipation. But
must confess that l have seen men who
ought to be out hustling, spend hours in
the daytime dissipating at association
checker boards.
Fifth--Cases where the game of bill
lizards has injured young men and been
abused by certain clubs are continually
cited as proving that the game is mad
yisable: Nothing under the sun is per-
feet, and such d department will never
be entirely exempt from danger and
abuse Neither are the gymnasiums,
prayer meetings, church choirs, public
schools and colleges so exempt.
SiXth-Many earnest association men in
sist that, after ALL it is wiser to empha-
size more, and depend entirely on the
religious meetings, Bible and educa tiOnal
classes and the gymnasium and baths,
and to leave out of the assOcia ton S
equipment all questionable games.
II believe the billiard room is entitled to
fair, honest earnest trial. All that I
ask of you with reference to the billiards
is that you permit us to try the expert
ment, and that you frequently inspect the
enterprise and help us to discover the
abuses and overcome the dangers and as
sist in making it real benefit. If, after
years faithful trial, we find that the
abuses and difficulties counterbalances
the good we will abandon the game"
Rev. A B. Melurum, of the Central
Presbyterian church, introduced resoIll-
ton setting forth the courtesy of Secre-
tary Grace in calling upon the ministers
for advice and extending the confidence
of the pastors to any innovation in the
game rooms which the secretary and
board of directors OF the association might
deem proper.
The resolution, which met with a prompt
second, called forth from Mr.. Everts a
protest. He said;
'if the game is introduced the word
Christian must be eliminated from the
name of the organization. If we are will
ing to follow the visible tendency to drop
religion out of the Y. M. C. A work, we
are certainly going about to do it in a
| most excellent way
DIR. Maurice D. Edwards thought the
game would lead many young men to the
association where they would be placed
under Christian influences
Billiards is the finest game l know, =
he said. 81 have always played it more
or less. 1t is delightful game that has
been too long monopolized by the devil .
Rev. William Oehler said that he would
ten times rather see the game connected
rs4I A
looms of the city.
DIR. Medium resented the imputation of
Mr.. Everts that the game was unchris-
tian
IF I could afford it, he said, 81 would
have billiard table in my home. Bill