"Evangelical religion, like the religion of the New Testament, requires us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed in the renewing of our mind, and it produces a distaste for those frivolous and pernicious amusements in which the votaries of this world delight; but I am not aware that it has an antisocial tendency, unless you mean by that expression, that its tendency is to mark out the essential difference between a real Christian and one who bears only the name."
"Why, we are all Christians, and good Christians, too; but our Christianity does not teach us to wait the arrival of death before we can be happy."
"Yes, Sir, there are the pleasures of sin, which we are commanded to forsake for the recompense of reward."
"And, Madam, there are the pleasures of innocence, which are as sweet and as sacred as the joys of angels."
"But I cannot suppose that you include card-playing among the pleasures of innocence."
"Most certainly I do!"
"Then, do you imagine that our old friend, Mr Lock, is of the same opinion, who in an evening was reduced from a state of affluence to a state of poverty?"
"Why, that was an unlucky night for him, certainly; but you know we do not play for more than we can afford to lose."
"I think, Sir, with all due deference to your judgment, that every one who plays at this game of innocence stakes more than he can afford to lose."