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Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Walther on State Lotteries (1885)

      The matter of State Lotteries is practically over in the United States except for 5 states still holding out against, according to one source.  But it was a bit surprising to me that in 1885 Prussia (Germany) apparently had a State Lottery.  C.F.W. Walther inserted a blurb about this in the Der Lutheraner vol. 41, p. 110 (translation by BTL):
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King Frederick William IV, King of Prussia (Wikipedia)

Testimony against the Lottery System. During this year's negotiations of the Prussian Chamber of Deputies on state lotteries, the following words of King Frederick William IV and a famous statesman, probably Bismarck, were quoted, among others. The former said: “I consider it highly pernicious from a national economic point of view to promote lotteries on the part of the state, which are based on passions and the desire to get rich without work and effort.” 

Otto von Bismarck (Wikipedia)

The other [probably Bismarck]: “It has always made an embarrassing impression on me to see among the branches of our state administration an institute which, in my opinion, must be regarded as immoral in its tendency. In a Christian state, as we like to be called, where religion, morality and good manners are held in high esteem, it must make a painful impression to see the lottery used as a means of increasing the state's income. Preferably it is the needy classes of the people who allow themselves to be lured by the prospect of winning and thereby shorten their already meager subsistence.” — It is true that here in America, too, in many states, including Missouri, the lottery game is frowned upon; but it is well known that there are congregations here which, in good Jesuit fashion, make use of this shameful game to "make money" for ecclesiastical purposes. W. [Walther]

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      One wonders how long the remaining hold-out states against State Lotteries can continue against the tremendous pressure in today's America to promote all things gambling.  But the King and Bismarck (and Walther) point out just how "embarrassing" it really is. — But who is embarrassed today?  One LCMS member corresponded privately with me that the elders of his congregation, after a meeting, immediately headed off to… Las Vegas.  Are there any warnings against gambling in today's Lutheran Witness, or has Pres. Harrison offered any warnings in his blogs? 

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