RAFFLING RUINED HIM

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 20, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 16.

RAFFLING RUINED HIM.

As THE heavy prison bolts turned on the minister, he looked sadly on the prisoners in their strange garments, and thought with more and more anxiety of his errand. He had come to see a young man of his congregation convicted of forgery. The heartbroken parents had begged him to visit the prison, hoping the peace of God might reach even his gloomy cell. As the minister kindly greeted him, the youth scarcely replied, but gazed with a sort of defiance. He began giving the mother's tender message, with the interest all the church felt in his welfare.

At last the prisoner broke out, “Do you know you was what done it?” “What have I done?” replied the pastor, striving to understand his strange language. “I began the business,” returned the youth, speaking very loud, “in your Sunday school. Don't you remember the Sunday-school fair, when they first set up raffling, and you hid a gold ring in a loaf of cake? Just for twenty-five cents, too, I got a whole box of little books. I was pleased with my luck, and went in afterwards for chances. Sometimes I gained, and sometimes I lost. Money I must have for lotteries. I was half mad with excitement; so I used other folks' names, and here I am; don't let the church come blubbering around me. They may thank themselves. Their raffling was what done it. It ruined me.”—Selected.