one case) the minister
waves his hand graciously, with a "Don't let me disturb you,"--and so
passes on. O it hurts one to have a fellow Christian ask in the quiet
evening at her own house, "Would you object to our bringing out the
cards?"--"I could not touch them," was all the answer, and the drawer
stayed shut. But I wish a Nonconformist Church could rise up in these
days. We are so busy calling ourselves Episcopalians, Methodists,
Presbyterians, that we seem to forget the old far-better name which
should include all. In the war it was only loyal or disloyal: and New
York was proud of the Wisconsin boys that were all six feet two; and
Ohio wept for those of Massachusetts who were among the first to shed
their blood. Dear friends, it is war time now: if you could only
realize that, a good many things would be set straight. Not able to
give up doubtful games and questionable dances? Why in '76 the women
fired at their tea kettles!--

Nonconformists. But now, "My mother does it,"--"my aunt goes,"--"my
father likes it": so run the excuses which the members of your Bible
Class, children of Church members, fling in your face.

But what you call "lawful" games, are stupid. Not all of them,
perhaps; but if they were, that would not touch the question. Paul's
"If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world
standeth," was crippled with no such condition as "If I can get bread."
And when the Lord bade us cut off the offending right hand, no question
of whether we could live without it came in. It is not absolutely
needful that Christ should find all his tired Church members rested and
fresh; but it _is_ necessary that they should be "spotless,"
"faithful," "ready," when he comes.

There are other amusements that might be touched upon just here, but
perhaps they are as well not named. Whatever takes you full into the
ranks of Christ's enemies, not to fight but to follow them; whatever
you cannot do straight through in the name of the Lord Jesus; whatever
turns you away from the shining presence of his face; is unlawful for
you. Once remember that there is no middle ground, and then ask
yourself what standing room there can be for you on a race course, what
seat at a circus. If you are not with Christ, openly, unmistakably,
you are "scattering," even in your games. I asked a friend (a minister
of deep experience) lately, if he had seen much of this private card
playing among Church members?