The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-03-31
The CARD TABLE.
Great Danger Surrounds The Social
ParlOr Game.

DR.. w. w. Hamilton, of the
First Baptist church, Lynch
burg, Va, has the following
to say about the card table:
After an address in Chicago
church recently, a preacher,
who had spoken of visiting
Auburn, N. Y, was asked by a
lady present if he would take a
package to her son. On receiv-
ing an affirmative answer she
brought to him a photograph of
herself to be given to the son,
who was in the penitentiary
there. When DR.. Chapman
reached Auburn, he went to
the prison and asked for the
young man. He was brought
into the office and was given
the package. Upon opening
it he looked intently at the
photograph for a little while
and said, eyes, that's my
mother. Her hair is grayer
than when l saw her last, and
my conduct has no doubt help
ed to put the gray hairs there -
Then, looking up, he asked Dr..
Chapman if he was going back
to Chicago. eyes, in about
ninety days. was the reply.
"Then take this photograph.
1t was at my mothers table
that l took my first drink. 1t
was in my mothers parlor that
l played my first game of cards.
Drinking and gambling have
put me in here for fifteen years.
Take this photograph back. |
don't want it,
In our children go wrong, if
they are ever led from the So
cial game on to the gambler S
hell, if from the first step in
sin they go into ruin and shame,
it will be a great JOY to us if
we can say that they did so
over our protest and in spite Of
our example. Happy will we
be then, if we have taken the
SAFE SIDE OF THE DOUBT.
We are many times asked by
those who are seemingly good
people if there is any harm in a
social game Of cards, and also
why this particular thing
should receive so many thrusts
from the pulpit. "May Christ
ian play calds 2" is thorough
ly practical question, and one
for which we should have a
definite and satisfactory ans
wer. If we are Christians
merely to have a so-called good
time, then there might be some
doubt as to tie reply made.
But when we hear the Saviour S
statement of a Christians pur-
pose in life there can be but one
thing for us to say and do.
Hear him, eye have not chosen
me, but | have chosen you and
i ordained you that ye should 60
and bring forth fruit and that
YOUR fruit should remain. .
); (Jno. 15:1G.) If we are to be
firuit-bearers, then reasons are
abundant why we may never
touch a deck of cards.
Well did John Philip Quinn
the converted gambler, after g
life of wretchedness and shame
when gray hairs crowned his
head, and when he was begin
ming to realize the terrible life
he had led, say, "After al
these years Of experience ano
acquaintance with all the pro
: fessional gamblers in the coun
: try, [ can truly say, THE PAR
7 LOE CARD TABLE IS THE KINDER
: GARDEN OF THE GAMBLER
HE'LL" Fin talking with Others
: we have had abundant con
firmation of the truth OF hi
statement. The general opln
ion among gamblers seems t
:, be that at least twO-thirds o
those who enter the gambling
: hell begin at the parlor care
: table. Then beware, mothers
beware, young women +! for yo'
: are helping the devil drag mel
\ into that way which ends IL
e theft and robbery and murde
and iail and pallOwS and etel