RELIGIOUS GAMBLING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3627, 26 February 1883, Page 4

RELIGIOUS GAMBLING.

The London correspondent of the MclAigua writes: —The advantages of a limit iv poker arc so universally conceded by all fair-minded men that it is strange the liliut has - not been generally introduced into ecclesiastical games. That there is practically no limit recognised in such games is well known, but it is to be hoped"that the recent action of the Baptist congregation of London, Ontario, will have its effect in calling the attention of zealous Baptists and members of other sects to the wisdom and propriety of a limit. The London Baptists held a fair a few days ago, and among the schemes for bringing money into the treasury of the fair was that of presenting a bed quilt to the young Baptist lady who should receive the largest number of votes. The " ante " required from each voter was 50 cents, and it was evident from the first that tho " p. " —that is to say, the bed-quilt—would be won cither by Miss Coodacrc or Miss Porte. The voting proceeded uuiolry for some time until it became apparent" that Miss Porte was decidedly ahead. Miss Coodacrc was engaged to be married to a Mr Fox, and the latter, having put all his available cash into votes at oO cents each, was so determined that his betrothed should win the bed-quilt that lie threw his watch on the

table and demanded that, as it Avas worth JOOdols., it should be counted as an equivalent for tAvo hundred votes. This would have secured the bed-quilt for jSliss Goodacre had not Miss Porte also possessed a lover of great devotion and pluck in the person of Mr Stanley, Avho, having 200dols. in his pocket, instantly " saiv " Mr Fox's one-hundred-dollar Avatch and went lOOdol. better. Tho excitement had now become intense, for it ivas believed that Mr Fox would not be " bluffed " by his opponent's 200dols. This belief Avas justified in a most striking AvaA', Avithout a moment's hesitation, Mr Fo"x bet—that is to say, contributed—his houso and lot, Avorth 1000dols., and Mr Stanley, being utterly unable either to "raise" or'"call" him, passed out, and the bed-quilt Avas adjudged to Miss Goodacre. The discussion which followed between the respected friends of the two bold players Avas so heated and so destructive of property and religious harmony that a painful scandal Avas created, aud tho Baptist congregation, after a full investigation, returned the Avatch and house to Mr Fox and the 200dols. to Mr Stanley, and directed the bed-quilt to be given to Miss Porte.