Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1909 — Gambling Menacing American Homes. [ARTICLE]

Gambling Menacing American Homes.

By Rev. JAMES D. BILLS. Methodist.

CUE gambling spirit runs back to remote antiquity and is CHAIIACI ERISTIC Ot SAVAGERY as of modern society. Many of the prevailing evils of today are new; other evils may arise in the future, but selfishness goes back to the beginning, and gambling is one of the first offsprings of selfishness. GAMBLING WHEN LEAST EVIL ADDS NO WEALTH, PRODUCES NOTHING, PROMOTES NO INDUSTRY. IT TENDS TO THE IMPOVERISHMENT OF NATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. AT ITS WORST IT IS HANDMAID TO EVERY FORM OF SIN AND COPARTNER WITH THE WORST ENEMIES OF THE HUMAN RACE. n r n The gambling spirit and the “get something for nothing” spirit help to give the shark and swindler his chance. GAMBLING IS CURSING AMERICAN HOMES IN THE SHAPE OE BRIDGE WHIST AND KINDRED CARD GAMES. It may be seen in the transformation of women under the intoxication of the game, in the neglect of children and home duties, in the evil influence upon the whole family. R R R GAMBLING IS A GREAT MENACE TO CHARACTER. IT IS A SYNONYM FOR DISHONESTY. TWO THINGS ARE GREATLY TO B; DESIRED—FIRST. INDIVIDUAL INTEGRITY, A FINE SENSE OF RIGHT IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIFE ON THE PART OF THE INDIVIDUAL; SECOND, THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AGAINST GAMBLING AND THE ENACTMENT OF MORE FARREACHING LAWS