Something for Nothing by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 18, 1886

"Something for Nothing."

By Editor

THIS was what we recently saw printed in flaming capitals at the head of a circular that was being most generously distributed throughout the city. Below it was an advertisement of some culinary article of extraordinary quality, which was offered very cheap, with the assurance that each package contained money or jewelry of greater value than the amount asked for the merchandise. Every buyer was assured of receiving something for nothing.

The very fact that such things are continually advertised, shows that many people are anxiously seeking to get something for nothing. People who patronize such schemes exhibit a wonderful amount of obtuseness. They seem to imagine that there are people who are eager to give away property to any one who will ask for it. Their own eager desire to get something for nothing is evidence that they themselves have no such generous disposition, and therefore they tacitly admit that other people are much better than they are. Such confidence in human nature is unwarranted.

But besides obtuseness, the patronizers of these lottery schemes manifest a thievish disposition. To patronize any such thing is downright dishonesty. Any attempt to get something of value from another without rendering an equivalent, is a form of stealing. And those newspapers which publish glowing accounts of successful lottery drawings, thus inducing people to invest, are accomplices in robbery. It may be set down as a fact, also, that any offer to give something for nothing is a swindle.

We are not sure, however, but that the phrase "something for nothing," which is so conspicuously displayed, tells the exact truth; for those who are led to thus dishonestly try to better their fortunes, always give something, and in return receive nothing.