Gambling Craze Keeps Up

New York, 1895

Despite the sermon of Rev. George L. Thompson, of the Methodist church of Flushing, the raffles for wheels go merrily on there. Rev. Mr. Thompson has announced that he will have more to say on the subject next Sunday.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Father Connell Seriously Ill

New York, 1895

The Rev. E. J. Connell, pastor of St. Rose of Lima church at Rockaway Beach, is seriously ill at St. Mary's hospital. The Rev. Thomas Horan has been placed in temporary charge of the church.


Gambling Houses for the Young

Whitestone has now work for its crusading ministers. Two Chinese laundry gambling dens have sprung up in the heart of the village, half a block from the jail. They are chiefly patronized by minors.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 15, 1895, p. 8.

Christians and Life Insurance

1900

The People's Forum

Do you think it is wrong, from a Christian point of view, to carry a life insurance policy? — L. B. J., Peterson, Minn.

To answer such a question depends entirely on the point of view. If a person sits down and figures on life insurance purely as a lottery game and considers that he is betting on his length of life with a life insurance company, then life insurance to him is nothing more than a Monte Carlo. If, however, he looks at it from the standpoint of mutual helpfulness, is willing to share with others the care of widows and orphans, then it becomes a Christian duty. The world has small pity for the man who, for the sake of a few dollars which may benefit him, neglects to join others for mutual protection of his wife and children when he is taken away. Many times the widow goes to an untimely grave in seeking to support her little ones, and the children are thrown upon society to live stunted lives. Or the aged father or mother, depending on the strong arm of the son or daughter, is driven to the poorhouse to be given grudging support by the state. Many excellent people we know refuse to have anything to do with life insurance, because they look upon it as a lottery. To the others, and the number is growing, life insurance is a privilege and a Christian duty.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.

The Story of a Race Track Gambler Brought to Christ

1900

Notable Conversions

In a little mission in San Jose, California, a number of earnest Christian workers were holding an enthusiastic meeting, when in strolled a young man twenty-three years of age, uncultured, somewhat ignorant, but well versed in the art of horse training. William Mullen had lived many years with the associates of the race track and had adopted all their habits, and had also received the root of all evil, the desire for money. While he sat listening to many give their experience and tell how God had redeemed them, and others telling how God had kept them and prevented them from a life of shame, in the midst of the testimonial meeting the young man stood up, saying, "You people testify for Jesus Christ, I want to give testimony for the devil — I have served him all my life." What they thought of this is not known save to themselves. But he did not care, for he continued on saying; "I am bad, I have tried to be good, but I can't be good, there is no good in me. You say that Jesus Christ will save me, unless he does I will never be good. For every time I have tried to be good I have failed and I can't be good, but I am going to be good if God will make me good, and I am not going to leave this building until Christ does save me."

He sat down, and at the close of the meeting an old lady invited him to the front to kneel, and while waiting on God for some miraculous power to work upon him, the good old lady by his side kept saying, "Brother are you saved; do you feel you are saved?" Little did she think that she was acting in the person of Satan tempting the young man, for he desired not any such talk. It was an opportunity he wanted to be with the stranger whom he had met, God himself. He wanted God to reveal the light and he desired to be but alone. Getting up he testified that he believed that God would save him, but he was not quite sure.

He knew little of the Scripture, excepting a few passages that were taught him by a gentleman in Washington, D.C., many years ago, when he was an orphan boy with nowhere to go, sleeping under hay stacks, back of boilers, in coal sheds or other places that the boys of the street provided for him. Yet, a few of those verses had sunk deep into his heart. He remembered the kindly words and he remembered the good Sunday School teacher Mr. Clayton, who told him that some day Jesus Christ would save him and make a man of him. Mr. Clayton had met him on 14th Street in Washington, and stopped him, saying, "Little boy, what Sunday School do you go to?" for Mr. Clayton thought he was a good subject for the Sunday School. He looked up into Mr. Clayton's face, and said:

"I dinna gan' to Sunday School."

"Won't you come to my Sunday School?" said Mr. Clayton.

"Naw, I dinna' want to gan' to your Sunday School."

Mr. Clayton coaxed, but his coaxing apparently was all in vain. Finally, looking at the boy he said: "Do you want to go to jail?" Tears now came to the boy's eyes and he looked up into his face and said, "Mister, if you winnit put me in jail, gan' to your Sunday School," thinking that the Sunday School might not be quite as bad as a jail, for he remembered in his early childhood days the big stone wall that surrounded the institution of charity in which he was imprisoned for no greater crime than being an orphan.

And so the next Sunday at the door of old Mt. Zion Sunday School in Washington, D.C., there came a rap. A gentleman invited the stranger who was knocking inside of the church or Sunday School: "Won't you come in little boy?"

"Naw, but if you will, please tell Mr. Clayton I'd oot here."

The gentleman smiled, walked inside and called for the Sunday School teacher, Mr. Clayton, telling him there was a boy at the door.

The good teacher asked the whole Sunday School to promise, and got their promise, that they would not laugh at the strange little boy that was coming in. As Mr. Clayton went to the door he kindly took him by the hand. He looked upon the new scholar dressed up in a coat many times too large for him, covered with ham fat, a large man's pair of pants with the waist pinned around to one side, (possibly it was a horse shoe nail that acted for a button, as such was used commonly by him), but he had his hair combed at least, and it was so uncommon that the good Sunday School teacher who had noticed him many times made a note of the fact as he brought the boy down the aisle, to the sound of the clitter-clatter, clitter-clatter of the shoes that were too large for him.

The Sunday School scholars were compelled to put their handkerchiefs in their mouths to keep from laughing.

The good teacher, who had learned to act in the name of Jesus his Master,. went further than this, and at the close of the Sunday School he said, "William, you must come home with me now and have dinner; Mrs. Clayton wants you to come." All things were prepared for him on that table where he sat down to a nice white table cloth, silver knives and forks, plenty of dishes and good things heaped up purposely for him. It was the first time in his life that he was a guest, and a guest in the name of Jesus Christ.

Many years went by and as some one would say to him while carousing, "All Christians are hypocrites," tears would come to his eyes and he would say, "No, boys, I know better than that, there is one man on earth who is a Christian," and off would go his coat ready to fight as he would repeat, "I know that there was nothing on earth that would cause a man to take me in when I was a boy like Mr. Clayton did, if he was not a Christian." And so a tender spot was gained in his heart, and when the time came that God pressed him and showed him his utter inability to lead a good life without him, he accepted Jesus Christ.

To return to the little mission meeting in California, the young man, having given his testimony, as stated, promised he would return the next night. The next night they asked him to testify for Jesus Christ. Rising, he said, "I am saved, I know that I am saved, for I have not wanted tobacco all day." This was the test that he put God to. He said that if God would save him from the habit that he had followed from his childhood, that he would believe that God had saved him from his sins.

The very next day William Mullen was called to preach. As before said he knew little of the Scriptures, but in the corral, where the horsemen were gathered, he would tell them the wonderful works that God had done for him. He could not declare unto them the Gospel as put forth in the Scriptures, but he would say, "Oh, I know that I am saved, I know that God has saved me for I have not uttered an oath and I could not help swearing before, I have not used any tobacco and I always loved it before, but now I do not care for it. I know that God has saved me, for he has made a new man of me, for the things that I used to love I do not care for any more now, and the things that I did not love I like now. I know and I have heard others say that he has done the same for them, and he will not turn anybody away, for I see that everybody that comes to him gets saved. I know that he will save you because he saved me, and if he could save me he could save anybody on earth."

Many have listened to the glad story, some have accepted it, some now are already in the field repeating the story, some have gone as missionaries, some are ordained ministers of the Gospel, while he goes on his simple way telling that Jesus Christ has died for sinful men.

—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 11.

The Religious "Slot-Machine"

1899

In the Adirondack Mountains, at a place of popular resort, there is a chapel where the contributions are often liberal in the summer season, but where the contributions still chiefly consist, as far as bulk goes, of small coins. The rector of this church, who is a man of dignified and ministerial appearance, is accustomed to go with the Sunday offering to one of the hotels, and receive a check for the amount of it.

One Monday morning he was counting the money at the desk of the hotel cashier, and was at that moment scraping together the nickels and coppers, which were in abundant supply. Just then a bell-boy came up who seemed to have something on his mind.

"What is it, my little man?" asked the rector, in his most honeyed tone.

"Beg pardon, sir," said the boy, "but are you the man what runs the slot-machine down-stairs?"

The boy could never understand why all the people, including the rector, laughed at him. The laugh was really on the Sunday contributors to the church funds. Many clergymen, we have no doubt, will sympathize with this supposed proprietor of the slot-machine. — Youth's Companion.

Liquor Thrown Away After Conversion

Pennsylvania, 1896

A novel scene was witnessed at the North East saloon, East Patrick street, Frederick, yesterday. Wm. L. Gilbert, the proprietor, last week professed religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church during revival services.

On Saturday, Gilbert, who says he intends leading a moral life and to assist others to do so, informed his pastor that he was offered $150 for his liquor license and the stock of goods on hand, and while he was desirous of waging war against the traffic yet he was sorely in need of funds for the support of his family.

Sunday Rev. Mr. Zimmerman set forth the case of the new convert to his audience in the City Opera House and requested that the amount be raised to start the young man in a more legitimate business. The sum was soon raised, and yesterday afternoon Rev. Mr. Zimmerman, accompanied by a committee, proceeded to Gilbert's saloon, and in the presence of a crowd of several hundred people loaded two barrels of liquor, a keg of gin and a slot-machine on a dray, and driving out on a lot on the gas-house road, dumped the liquor into a hole.

Gilbert, who is 27 years of age, has been a member of several different churches and also of the Salvation Army.

—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Jan. 24, 1896.

A Church Fair In Oklahoma — Everything "Perfectly Square"

1900

An Innovation

"Brethren and sisters," said the Rev. Jack Jonks, the well-known Oklahoma divine, relates the New York World, "I am requested to announce that the ladies of the church will give a fair and festival at Tilligan's hall next Thursday evening, to which everybody is invited.

"I will further say that everything will be square and above-board on that occasion. I have been moved to insist upon this innovation because of the numerous kicks which have been registered since the last event of this character. Certain of the brethren, especially those who have but recently become members of the church and have not yet forgotten their worldly wisdom, have been complaining that there was no reciprocity in the various catch-penny devices and games of chance at the last festival, and they are emphatic in their proclamation that, while they do not object to running up against any legitimate hazard for the good of the cause, they decline to participate in any more lead-pipe cinches.

"I will therefore add that at the coming festival the grab-bag, fish pond, weighing-machine and kindred devices for replenishing the treasury will be under the direct supervision of Curly Conroy, the gentlemanly and accomplished dealer of faro at the Blue Ruin fortune parlors. In kindly agreeing to superintend these devices, Mr. Conroy pledges his professional honor that every visitor who puts down his scads will at least have some show for his money, and that his part of the evening's entertainment will be conducted in the same unprejudiced and impartial way that characterizes his work at the Blue Ruin. The usual collection will now be taken."

Minister Took Look at Gambling Rooms

Illinois, 1914

Alton Parson Strolled to the Gambling Rooms

Now They Are Wondering Just What The Answer Will Be

Alton residents are wondering what a minister from that city will do with his recently acquired knowledge. He spent an evening this week in one of the so-called resorts of the city. Many think he may appear before the grand jury. The Alton Times tells of the visitation as follows:

"One of the Alton ministers spent last evening — or a part of it in a gambling house on West Second street. He is a young man and an innocent looking chap. He put a pipe in his mouth, wore a pair of boots in which his trousers were tucked at the top of the boots, had on an old rain coat, pulled his hat so that it gave his a rakish air.

He did not consider himself disguised but he made himself look like a young man who makes money and lets go of it easily. So he went down to the building on West Second street, walked up to the rooms above Ballard and John's restaurant and walked right in. There was a good sized crowd of players and the silver dollars were strewn about in an abundance that surprised a man who had heard that there is a money stringency in Alton. He took no part in the play but he saw the others rolling dice. He states that at one time there was at least five hundred dollars on the table. In the same room some players were playing poker. He says they were playing cards and he believes the game was not 'flinch or five hundred.'

"The roulette table was in the same room with the crap table, but 'craps' was the most popular game. The roulette game was not running.

"The minister looked on until he had seen enough and then walked out. He will deliver an address at the Baptist church next Sunday and tell all about what he saw.

"The silver dollars were in stacks of twenty each and he counted the stacks until he had reached a total of $600 and then quit though he did not inventory the smaller coins."

—Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, Feb. 10, 1914, p. 1

No Girl Teachers, Chinese Quit

1909

No Girl Teachers, Chinese Quit; "Christian" Chinks Shown Up

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Chinamen in Pittsburgh are deserting the Christian religion because the Second Presbyterian Church no longer permits a female instructor for each pupil in the big mission conducted by the church. Since the Elsie Sigel murder, prominent members of the church have been urging that the schools have one male teacher. The church now has decided that this plan shall be enforced, and the Chinese, highly indignant, are deserting the mission. Yee Teng, who has been active among the Chinese for thirty years, was appointed Superintendent of the Mission. He disapproves of the plan now in force.

"Chinese must have individual instructors," he said. "I can't see how I am going to teach my countrymen the religion of Christ if I don't give each one a teacher.

To which we fervently and piously say: "Oh, Rats!"


CONVERTS BUY POOL TABLES

WELLINGTON, Texas — The Reverend Peter Cartwright, gambling crusader, has been so successful with a revival here that his converts raised $750, bought out all the pool tables in town and burned them in the street. The preacher also is conducting a fight against dancing.

Revivalist Preaches Against Card Playing, For Soul Winning

Port Arthur, Texas, 1924

CARDS SCORED BY REVIVALIST

'Religious Gamblers' Are Packard's Target

Scoring cards as an evil not to be tolerated by the church and vehemently declaring that church members who play cards are nothing more than "religious gamblers," Dr. Paul H. Packard in his sermon on "Soul Winning" last night at the First Christian church urged the church members to come out from the world and help in cleaning up Port Arthur for Christ.

"God can't clean up Port Arthur unless he has clean instrumentalists to do it with," Dr. Packard said. "The Saviour is beseeching you to help in saving Port Arthur for God. No one is adapted to Christ's work who plays cards. The slogan of all our campaigns is 'Come clean or don't come at all.' The church has all the religious gamblers it can have for the next 50 years. You can play cards if you want to, but you can't play cards if your life is in touch with God!

Revival in Home Needed.

"Give me a membership and a church board who is willing to face all odds for Jesus Christ and we'll clean out sin and hell from Port Arthur! God expects you to do it! Why don't you? If we could feel a concern about those people without God and the less unfortunate, Port Arthur could be saved in three weeks, and could be made into a kingdom of righteousness in this section of the great commonwealth.

"The world wants that type of Christianity that shows we believe in the gospel teachers of Jesus Christ. Would that we would manifest as much concern over spiritual distress as we do over physical distress. While I commend the great American spirit for its willingness to go down into its wealth and distribute it among stricken countries and cities, I wish it were more deeply concerned with the moral welfare of the people.

"As I said last night there must be a revival in the home before we can win the world to Christ. How many young men and women there are in Port Arthur tonight who on that great last day will point the finger of condemnation at their mother and father and say, 'You never cared for my soul.' I pray that all the parents may be on the job during this revival to win their girls and boys to Jesus.

All Can Save.

"Somebody is responsible for every young man and woman who walks from Procter street tonight without the thought of God, or the salvation of their souls. We can't turn over the unsaved young people to the Salvation Army. May God help you to feel your responsibility. One always knows where to find a man when you want to sell him a ticket to make money for the church, but none knows where to find him when you want to talk to him about his soul. That's why the world is saying, 'No man cares for my soul,' and what Port Arthur needs tonight is the personal touch of the individual which means more than anything else.

"I have failed to find one yet, who if his life is in tune with God, cannot win one to Christ. God will help you, even in your own broken way. You say you can't save souls because you have not the gift of speech, or the education. I haven't seen where God says anything about that in His Book. Some of the greatest soul winners America has ever had were men of little education and little gift of speech. Jesus said, 'Follow me and I'll make you fishers of men.' The command, 'Follow me,' is universal. You can win men to Christ if you want to."

Dr. Packard will speak on "The Betrayal of Jesus" at tonight's service at 7:30 o'clock.

—The Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Texas, November 4, 1924, page 2.

"Cicero Sapp" Cartoon, June 9, 1922 - The Sermon

Click graphic for full size.

Nice cartoon on the "evils of gambling," with the minister going along with Sophie's plan but surprised in the end.

--The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Nebraska, June 9, 1922, page 15.

Methodist Ministers Seek More Liberties

1920

Want Church Law Governing "Imprudent Acts" Abolished

Methodist ministers are tugging at the leash provided by paragraph 280 of the general laws of the church, which deals with "imprudent acts." At a meeting of 150 pastors in Chicago there was not a dissenting vote when a resolution passed, asking that paragraph 280 be abolished.

This law forbids ministers attending theaters, indulging in alcohol, dancing, card-playing and gambling. Twelve ministers expressed their views, all to the same effect, which may be summarized as follows:

"This law does not help the church. On the contrary, it keeps away persons who otherwise might belong to the church. Ministers are human and appreciate the enjoyment derived from theaters -- and other things."

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.