The Church and Gambling
By Editor
THE Herald of Truth well says that the gambler "has in the past given tone to the morals on this coast." "The truest patriot and Christian in California will beware of 'tickets' and 'cards.' Often these are the beginning of the gambler's career. The first step downward has been often taken in the parlor, and in the presence of Christian ladies." And, we ask, is not the church responsible for a part of this evil? Do not the bazaars, church fairs, raffles, and fish-ponds have something to do in exciting a spirit of gambling? And if the church had denounced these practices and lived above them, there would be but little need of the remark, "Preaching against it does comparatively little good." How would it do for the church to practice a while as well as preach?