Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-25
OLD-TINE RELIGION
4. GAMBLER

Solomon said, keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues Of
life" proverbs iv:23.) He had wisdom in
his head beyond all men, but he cherished
sensuality in his heart and thereby ruined
his life and wrecked his family and divided
his kingdom. His heart all wrong His
emotions were hayward. Therefore his life
became wicked.
The emotions can not be ignored. They
lie the center of human nature and
call for satisfaction as really as the body
demands food or the mind requires kEowl-
edge.
In this fact is found the explanation OF
the gamblers life. He. Graves excitement
far more than he cOvets money. He desires
every moment to be one of intense feeling.
Other men immerse themselves in politics
from kindred impulse.
Soldiers and statesmen hunger for cam
paigns for the sake of excitement.
In like manner the followers pursue their
constant rounds from the city to the water
ing-place and from the watering-place back
to the city for the sake of feeling intensely
without regard to the nature and quality
of the feeling sought.
What then is the remedy for this dis
eased sensibility? 1t is to be found in the
noble emotions of religion.
SO ST. Paul taught when he said to the
Ephesans, "Be not drunken with wine
wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit He proposed spiritual excitement
it is
And let it be kept always in mind that
our emotions by their very nature sensu-
aize the Spirit or spiritualize the senses.
Wholesome activity of the emotional ma
ture springs from within, while debauching
sensbilities are excited from without. Com
menting upon ST. Pauls eXhortation to the
Ephesians Frederick Robertson, of Bright
on, says, wine is but a specimen of class
of stimulants."
All that begins from without belongs to
the same class. The stimulus may be af-
forded by almost any enjoyment of the
senses. Drunk may come from any,
thing wherein is excess; from over indul-
gence in society, in pleasure, in music, and
in the delight of listening to oratory, nay,
even from the excitement of sermons and
religious meetings The prophet tells us OF
those who are drunken, and not with
wine"
Unwholesome emotionalism ends in para
lyzed sensibilities, and as the emotions be-
come duler, artificial eXpedients are employ
ed to excite them. Pungent amuSements are
pursued for pleasure sharper condiments
are required to crafty the faded palate Of
the gOurmand. We see much of that sort
of debauchery nowadays.
Spectacles of ever increasing lascivious-
ness are exhibited in lighthouses, and de-
moralizing dances rapidly to the most
wantOn excuses.
Inc present generation mas lOSC 10 a great
degree all religious joy but it runs wildly
after every other sort of emotion. 1t is
open to the censure which the prophet
passed in Gods name on ancient Israel
when he said, my people have committed
two evils; they have forsaken me the foun-
tain of living water, and hewed them out
cisterns broken cisterns. that can hold no
water Jeremiah ii:13)
Multitudes have forsaken the water OF
life and are trying to quench at cesspools
the deathless thirst of their souls.
For us and all men it must always be true
that "the Joy of the Lord is our strength"
nehemiah viii: 100
We not maintain decency, let alone
spirituality, when our strength no longer
finds gladness and strength in God. From
cold souls corrupt conduct flows, always and
everywhere.