uses to the world, is contrary to Divine order. Hence, to encourage others in so doing, by selling lottery tickets or keeping a gaming-table, is a sin. Look at the wickedness and wretchedness gathered round the gaming-establishments (the "hells," as they are justly termed), of Homburg and Baden-Baden in Germany, and indeed of many other places nearer home. Is there not direct communication of such places with infernal societies? Are not infernal spirits themselves gathered about such places, firing the hearts and glaring through the eyes of the gamesters? are they not all thieves at heart—desiring to get away the property of others, without returning any equivalent?
The making of gains by fortune-telling falls under the same prohibition. Says the New Church Doctrine, "The desire of foreknowing the future is innate with most persons; but this desire has its origin in the love of evil. Wherefore it is taken away from those who believe in the Divine Providence, and there is given to them a trust that the Lord disposes their lot; and hence they do not wish to foreknow it, lest they should in any manner interfere with the Divine Providence." Since, then, the desire to foreknow the future originates in evil, no man of principle will cherish that desire either in himself or others, by countenancing the practice of fortune-telling. Young people sometimes go to have their fortunes told, considering it as done only for sport, not knowing that the wish originates in the deep-seated evil above mentioned; and though they may go away laughing at what they have heard, an impression is often made
