The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-05-30
Rev. w. Hamill Shields Deliv-
ers Timely Discourse AT
Presbyterian Church
FOUR REASONS GIVEN
AGAINST GAMBLING EVIL
There Is Much Loose Think
ing, Both In The Church
and Out, Is Asserted

"Why is gambling Sin" was the
subject of an interesting sermon CIV
en- the members of the congregation
of the Presbyterian church Sunday ev-
ening by the pastor, the Rev. w. Ham.
II Shields. The frequency with which
many yield to indulgence in this form
of amusement or diversion, the evils
that come from it, etc. tended to make
this sermon of peculiar timeliness.
Gambling was defined by the minis
ter as the art or practice of playing a
game of hazard or one dependent
partly upon skill and partly upon haz-
zard, with view to pecuniary gain.
This as given further secondary
definition, one as a penal offense, stalk.
ing on chance.
That there is much loose thinking
upon the subject of gambling was as
serted. The English church has been
greatly aroused by the prevalence of
the gambling evil in England declar-
ing gambling the greatest danger Of
modern times. This may not be true
here in America, observed DR.. Shields
"but there is danger enough at that"
One English preacher was quoted as
having expressed the opinion that
gambling is not so bad unless a
man risks more than he can afford to
lose." This was given as an illustra-
tion that there may be loose thinking
even in the church, that even the lead
ers of the church do not think
straight
discussed showing why gambling is
sinful. These are: Q) 1t is dishonest
in motive. The man willing to gam.
BILE is the man who has inwardly con-
sented to put into his pocket gains
for which he did no service. Whoev-
er bets on contingency is prepared,
il it goes his way, to accept from an
other man sum of money for which
he had performed no useful act. Mon
ey is stored personality and cannot
morally be squandered.
Gambling is a sin because (2) it
destroys self respect and the respect
Of all folks. Many homes are broken
up by the husband or the wife playing
for high stakes, quarreling, losing the
respect of each other and of their
friends.
Gambling is sin because (3) while
social game of cards may be inno-
cent and harmless, social gambling
among friends is always wrong. 1t
leads to quarrels and the separation
of friends. 1t really is not based upon
social courtesy. A small stake, even
among friends, does not make gamb.
ling innocent. A game for which the
hostess puts up prize may not be
strictly and technically gambling, but
the prize had better be left out be-
cause of the misunderstanding given
young people.
Gambling is sin (4) because 1t cre-
ates an ungovernable craze for money
and excitement which logically leads
to the destruction of character. In
this connection the minister spoke of
the incident but recently published in
which certain wealthy New York
gambler, losing his family and for
tune, told friend he intended to end
it all. He threw himself under sub
way train and was killed.
Christians are called to fight against
the inbOrn leaning they may have for
gambling. They should refrain from
they may burn away their best tai
ents and sow the seeds of gambling
in others.