The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-28
NEW YORK PASTOR DEGREES THE
TURNING OF HOMES INTO
GAMBLING HOUSES
WoMEN's FoNDNEss FOR DRINK
Gambling Members of Farhs ON able
Society Atone for Their sins by
Contributing Proceeds of
Their Lucky Play.

terms the proposed crusade on the part
OF the ministers of New York churches
against gambling says the New York
Herald His sermon. which was entitled
Desperate Condition: Immediate Rem
cay, was a strong arraignment of the
prevailing vice In New York society and
complete Endorsement OF the intended
movement to bring about publication
OF public morals so far as gambling In
particular Is concerned. Mr. Blackburn
quoted from articles on the subject pub
lished In the Herald on Saturday and
again yesterday. In which the extent of
the evil and the contemplated action of
the ministers were set forth
s The Herald Is on the right track
about the extent TO which gambling il
carried on in society In greater New
York. and already many persons IN csoT
riety who know that they are guiltybof
the effense charged are commencing to
feel uncomfortable because they are
aware that publicity is being directed
against them collectively" he said. 1T
is no surnnise or presumption on my
part when I say that know that many
church people are guilty of just what
has been charged in the Herald.
"a leading church woman admitted to
me no longer than a day or two ago, that
contributions to the Sunday offerings in
certain church In this city are the pro-
ceeds Of gambling games held on the
night before in the homes of church pee-
pie, who consider themselves greatly OUT
ragged II accused of being common gamb-
. iers: but that Is just what they are, and
nothing else.
1.-THE contribution referred to, she as
sured me, and I have the most implicit
confidence in what she has told me, came
from the kitty, as it is called by card
players believe. This contribution
money ! was further told. was regarded
by the donors in the nature of a salve to
tbej~ consciences.
MANY so-ealled church people sit UP
50 late on Saturday nights PLAYING cards
for money that they are unable to at
tend to their church duties on the fol-
lowing morning because of want of sleep.
Still. because they give liberal contribu-
lions tc their respective churches they
hold themselves to be excellent Chris
tians.
Gambling in society Is by no means
confined to New York. It seems to exist
almost everywhere throughout the coun-
try. Three weeks ago today was at
one Of the best known hotels in Ashe-
vile, N. c., where many persons who are
nown In church and society circles in
New York and other Northern cities were
stopping On my way to church In the
morning I passed q large room, door
Of which was partly OPEN. My attention
was attracted by the rafting of chips.
81 looked in that direction and saw
more than dozen men who call them
selves Christians and who I had been
told were church members, busily en-
gagged in playing cards with stacks of
L 1l-f -
ting In their shirt sleeves presumably to
enable them to enjoy the game in great
er comfort. All thought Of shame seemed
to be absent from them
Immense harm is also done to young
men and boys in New York by the num-
berless gambling machines that may be
seen In stores and on street corners,
where, by the dropping Of penny or
more chance is afforded to win cigars
or other so-called prizes. The spirit Of
gambling is thus inculcated and fostered
in them.
ut Is largely the fault Of parents,
however, that SO many boys and young
men gamble. Their parents, when de-
slrous of enjoying a quiet game Of cards
with friends often send their children
out in the streets to play. The children
are aware of what is going on, and be-
i1eviIg that they are Justified in doing
what their parents do, themselves learn
to indulge in games Of chance Of one de-
scrlpt1on or another and In time become
confirmed gamblers, although retaining
an outward appearance Of respect ability.
The object Of grown-up persons In
playing cards is at first, In many cases
to Kill time, but later the desire to NOV
Tor money becomes a passion. Idleness
existing, the. devil finds some mischief
still for idle hands to do and so finds
gambling games for society men and
women
Card playing for money In society has
cune 70 pc Tad and many persons
VINO are too respectable to go TO pl1bIic
gambling houses turn their homes into
private gaming establishments.
Another thing to which I wish Fo cali
attention is the prevalence of the drink
ing habit among respectable women in
New York In dozens of restaurants. or
the better class maye be found women
taoles, II you will, drinking high balls
Manhattan Cocktails, and brandy and
soua. IN the MOTEL in which l live I
recently saw two young and pretty WON
en-, evidently Of entire respectabiJitv or
ter the restaurant where | was taking
luncheon, and seat themselves at an adj
Joining table They had just come from
some entertainment at Carnegie hall
AS soon as they were seated one or
oered a high bali and the other a Man
hattan cocktail. After having disposed
OF these they each ordered another drink.
Of the same kind
from their conversation I gathered
that they lived in a neighboring city and
were only visiting New York They evil
IDENTIFY We're copying the custom of MANY
women who live in New York and who
think nothing of drinking in public places
twenty years ago OF less any woman
who would have done such a thing would
have been ostracized by persons of re-
fnement and delicaey.
New York clergymen should be ab1a
to start movement that will check such
q state of affairs as exists at present
There Is every hope of success The
Apostle Paul went to Athens which was
at that time the intellectual center Of the
world; to Ephesus. the religious center:
to Corlnth, the commercial center. and to
Rome, the military center, and started .
religious fame which swept over the
world. In the same way an agitation
could be started in Greater New York
py clergymen which / am convinced
would bring about an immense better
ment IN public morals. The trouble is
at present that the church peopis and tho
ministers, too, in many cases, are asleep.
Iney must awake. The march of prog
ress is SO rapid in the present day that
the church Is going to be left behind If
It does not wake up, and IL this happens
1t VIII never catch up"