The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-30
FASHIONABLE
GAMBLING.
Rev. Or. Babcock Oenouncss
The Society Gard Party.
FEARS THE EFFECT ON YOUTHS
Whist and PROGRESSIVE Euchs May Lead 10
Play Of Worse Character Danger In
the Wine Glass Also
FEARS THE EFFECT ON YOUTHS

New York. Jan. 2s.--"Play cards at
home If you want 10. But when you
offer prizes for the winners OF the games
you are gambling"
This is what tho Rev. DIR. Maitbie ID.
BaScock. pastor OF the Brick Presbuter-
ian Church told his congregation sun
day afternoon. lie was preaching on
temptation, keeping especially in view the
fact that thero were young men within
the sound OF his voice.
lie took occasion to srraign not only the
fashionable devotees OF whist and pro-
gressive euchre, but the practice.
common among society folk as we'll as
others. OF offering wine TO youthful
guests.
DIR. Bsbcock's charge is one OF the
most important In the New York Pres
bytery, and many persons of means and
position sit under his preaching every
Sunday.
Sunday he held n special service to cele-
brats the forty-eighth anniversary OF the
starting OF the Young Mems Christian
Association. and the Brick Church was
crowded, his own congregation being sup
plemented by hundreds OF outsiders.
The pastor preached with great vigor
and in an interesting fashion on the per-
lis besetting the young in this city, lay
ing stress on the alluring side OF temp
tation.
IF boy OF fourteen or fifteen be Of
fered q glass OF wine" said he. by the
hostess OF a house at which he II a
guest, or by some fashionable girl, he
may be ready to accept II without hesita-
ton. But IL you could divert the boy IS
attention tn some poor miserable sot
behind prison bars, who began his career
in just that way--if he could see that
end OF tho ladder nrst-would 1t for a
moment be- alluring 10 him?"
DR. Babcock then began 10 speak of the
passion for gambling. telling of a young
man, who under it's influence. threw his
arms around him In public street and
begged 10 be held.
play cards in your own home II you
want to-" he continued, bending over the
pulpit earnestly, but femember that when
YOU offer prizes for the winners of your
games you are teaching the players at
those games 10 gamble"
His audience. many OF whom doubtless
recalled various card diversions which
they had thought innocent. but which
involved the winning of trinkets. sat still
II recollect calling upon member of
my church once" said DIR. Babcock, and
finding her with several tables arranged
for a card party. She was visibly embar-
rassed when I came in. l saw IL and ]
said TO her, why are you embarrassedT'
She hesitated, and / said, Tell me now,
frankly, why are you embarrassed? j
am a good friend of yours What's the
matter?
"She couldn't say and asked, Why, I
suppose you are not Offering pearl card
cases and silver dishes here as prizes. are
you?' She admitted that she was offer
ing prizes, and 1 said, You are engaged
in gambling here
THAT woman had one boy-as rne
boy as you ever saw. His name was
win. Every one called him Billy
Mrs. Blank said, III some hne day
YOU should discover that Billy was gamb-
ling at Cand l mentioned the place boys
used to frequent for gambling in that
town. what would think
"'Oh, but that's different said she.
"'You know better said j. It's the
same thing exactly
whenever you play with temptation at
the eiided end God give you imagina-
ton enough 10 turn from the gilt title
page OF the book TO the horrid blur At
the other end"