Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-21

statement may fully be proved. It
may be that the gains are caught by
Isharpers, and quickly gravitate to the
owners of the gaming saloons. Whetn-
err, however, the gamers be many or
few, some must lose, and all run more
risk in this, than in any other pur-
suit. And we affirm that those who
lose by gaming are without compensa-
ton or consolation. Facts in proof OF
this are abundant.
The spirit which gaming evokes and
the character it forms, are both essen
TALLY evil Gaming destroys all law
full dependence upon manly labor, upon
industry, prudence, perseverance and
honest endeavor; 1t perverts reliance
upon Divine providence as crowning
right exertion, and begets spirit OF
fearful recklessness. This recklessness
first awakened with respect to money,
is soon extended to health, life, honor,
reputation, character, and morality,
and presently spreads beyond the
things which ought to be most pre-
cious to the gambler himself, until it
reaches that which is of most import
ance to others; so that allured by the
enticements of success or goaded by
the disappointment of failure, fevered
by gain ana maddened by loss. he be-
comes in a most evil sense, careful
for nothing" and is prepared to lie,
to bear false witness, to cheat, 10 steal,
o. even to murder. He stakes his
money, and learns 10 hazard that which
is infinitely more precious than mil
lions of gold and silver.
The associations and circumstances
into which gaming often leads are full
of danger. Say that particular gam
bier, is at the present what is termed
a moral man. He is sober, truthful,
honest, chaste-free from what men in
general call immortality. He now
games only in private; but is he sure
with whom he may meet even at pri-
vate card or dice party? May he not
even there become associated with
some of the most efficient rogues and
swindlers. The distance from the pri-
vate card party to the gambling room
is very short. And what can we say to
the atmosphere of the house of gam
bling, where revealing, cursing, swear
ing, lying and immortality of almost
every form abounds? Can anything
that is holy thrive in such an atmos-
phere?
Many say that they cannot see why
people should oppose "a snug and
friendly game at cards" l suppose
for the following, among other reas
ons:
l. Cardplaying is the common
method of gambling.
2. The young who learn to play cards,
are liable to be tempted to gamble
wherever they go. Commercial trav-
elers, constituting q large and import
ant class of young men, are very liable
to temptation by this means. 1t is
said that a vast amount OF gambling
is practiced among young clerks and
boys all through the country, and in
our city.
8. There is a powerful fascination
about all games of chance which over
large portion OF the youth is deleter-
ious in the extreme.
4. The safest point to draw the line
in the matter of amusements is where
chance is a prominent element
5. 1t is is folly to say that we ought
not to defer the general sentiment Of
the public with regard to these things.
1t is pitiabie to see Christian man,
who might have great influence,
throw it away by devotion to cards
Dead flies cause the ointment of the
apothecary to send forth an i'll SAVIOR;
so doth a little folly him that is in
reputation for wisdom and honor"
(Eccl. 10:D.
The name could be given Of a prom
inent man whose influence in the insti-
tuition where he is employed, has been
almost wholly destroyed among the
students by his devotion to cards.
They have no confidence in his spirit
uality, and it has been a great question
whether he ought not to be dislodged
from position where his influence is
SO Questionable.
My young friends, many of you are
strangers to gaming. You have never
thrown dice, taken share in lottery,
laid bet, or played a card. When
ever invited to do so, always say NO
Is it difficult in some company and in
some circumstances to abstain entire
ly? 1t may be difficult, no doubt it
is, but it will be far harder to leave
off when you have commenced. even
though disgrace and ruin may be star
ing you in the face. | knew a mother
who played cards with her two boys
to keep them home at night They
became confirmed gamblers and
brought shame upon their mother
1t may be that there are some here
to-day who are familiar with cards and
dice, and other gambling implements.
What are you gaining by gaming? Is
not the excitement consuming you as
fire? Does not the pursuit absorb you
even to the present loss of your soul?
Is gambling recreation? Does it not
waste rather than repair, exhaust,
rather than renew? What are you
profited? Can you point to pecuniary
gain? Tell me what security have you
of continuing to gain, or of holding
past gains? Tell me rather, how much
have you lost?