Church Gambling | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 17, 1876

Church Gambling.

[Republished by request, from Vol. 41, No. 6, Jan. 21, 1873.]

THAT church-fairs with their lotteries, raffles, prize packages, grab-bags, etc., are great nurseries of the appalling sin of gambling, a terrible reproach upon the cause of Christ and a terrible evidence that those churches which indulge in them have departed from the high standard of piety of former days, has long been the conviction of those who are striving to maintain the simplicity and purity of the gospel.

It is a matter of congratulation that men of high official position are coming to the support of this sentiment by declaring that laws should be enacted sufficient to suppress this iniquity. The Governor of Wisconsin so speaks. A late Detroit Post, in an article headed, “A Bold Governor,” says:—

“The Governor of Wisconsin is a bold man. If he were here, we should shake hands with him, and dub him ‘the bravest of the brave,’ not excepting Gen. Grant, Gen. Sheridan, or any other hero. Why? Because the Governor of Wisconsin, in his annual message, has had the moral courage—and a most desperate courage it is in a politician—to declare, point blank, the too-long whispered truth that church fairs, charitable raffles, concert lotteries for charitable and other purposes, prize packages, ‘grab-bags,’ Sabbath-school and other religious chances by ticket, are nurseries of crime, inasmuch as they promise something for nothing, are games of chance, and are really gambling. The governor says that the pernicious spirit of gambling is fostered, encouraged, and kept alive by these agencies to a degree little known by good citizens; and that, but for them, the ordinary laws against gambling would be much less violated and much more easily enforced. He says these practices ought not to be permitted any longer to debauch the morals of the young. Think of the row this plain speaking will stir up! Think of the courage necessary to say this in a public official, depending upon the votes of the people for future official honors! Then think how true and well deserved it is, and join us in crying: Good for Governor Washburn!”

The following is an extract from this part of his message:—

“The laws of the State as applicable to professional gamblers are doubtless all-sufficient, and only require to be enforced. But some law seems to be required to break up the schools where gamblers are made. These are everywhere. Even the church (unwittingly, no doubt), is sometimes found doing the work of the devil. Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of religious or charitable objects, but often for less worthy objects, lotteries, prize-packages, etc., are all devices to obtain money without value received. Nothing is so demoralizing or intoxicating, particularly to the young, as the acquisition of money or property without labor. If you can devise some law to break up these practices and bring them into disrepute, you will deserve the thanks of all good people.”