Whose Servants? by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 26, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 45.

Whose Servants?

By Editor

IN connection with the article published last week, on "Popular Amusements," it will be of interest to read a little statement made by the San Francisco correspondent of the Mendocino (Cal.) Beacon. After speaking of the new game, "progressive euchre," which he says "has broken out everywhere," and to which he has fallen a victim, he speaks of the passion for gambling, which seems almost inherent in the human breast, and says:—

"Church members are quite as much interested in the new game as any one else, if not a little more so. I was present not long since at a party given by the niece of a prominent orthodox minister of this city, where the first prize was won by the minister's daughter."

This statement, made by one who is not a scoffer, and in no carping spirit, is very suggestive. It cannot be denied that card-playing is indulged in to a very great extent by church members. Some one will say, as a church member of our acquaintance recently did, "Well, what of it? There is no harm in a quiet game of cards." There was a time when card-playing, dancing, and theater-going were looked upon as ungodly acts not to be tolerated among church members; and the fact that they are now looked upon as innocent amusements, or, at the most, as only venial offenses, shows the great degeneration that has taken place in the moral sensibilities of professed Christians. For church members to say that the prevalence of card-playing is no evidence of a demoralized church, simply shows that their standard is but little, if any, removed from that of the world.

THERE is one easy way to determine whether or not card-playing is a thing that may be indulged in by Christians. That is to ask, Does it do any good? Is there anything about it that is refining or elevating? Can one who plays cards be a better Christian than one who does not? Is it a thing in which every pastor should urge young disciples to indulge, in order that they may grow in grace? Every one, no matter how deeply infatuated he may be, must answer every one of these questions in the negative. What are its associations? Of the very lowest kind. It is the game of bar-rooms and low dives. This association clings to the cards themselves, and cannot be shaken off. Nobody ever saw any one take a pack of cards in his hands and begin a serious conversation. It is almost impossible to conceive of such a thing being done. Slang phrases are inseparably connected with cards. And this is so true that even in parlors, where vulgar slang would not be tolerated, the talk of the card party does not rise above what might well be termed silly.

ANOTHER indictment, and perhaps a reason for the silly talk mentioned above, is the fact that conversation cannot be carried on while playing cards and similar games. Whatever is said is simply talk, and that of a low grade. If it be the case that no talk whatever is carried on, it is simply because the mind is too much absorbed in the excitement of the game. An unhealthy excitement is fostered by all such games, and herein lies the danger of bringing them into the home and social circle. The excitement over a game of cards in the parlor is just the same as the excitement over a game in a bar-room.

And since in this excitement lies all the fascination, the one who has once tasted it will not stop long to question the surroundings, if only the enjoyment may be had. It is the enjoyment—the excitement—that the player is after, and since that may be obtained in the dive as well as in the parlor, he will erelong be led to find it in the dive, where it may always be found. Cards, dancing, etc., are the devil's means of enticing people to ruin; and when Christians adopt the devil's allurements, thinking that thereby they will get up an attraction that will draw people away from him, they are only saving him trouble by doing his work for him. And if professed Christians are engaged in doing the devil's work, whose servants are they?