A Deck of Cards

During the North African Campaign a bunch of Soldier boys had been on a long hike and they arrived in a little Town called Casino. The next morning being Sunday several of the boys went to church. A Sergeant commanded the boys in church & after the Chaplain had read the prayer the text was taken up next. Those of the boys who had a prayer book took them out, but this one boy had only a Deck of Cards & so he spread them out. The Sergeant saw the cards and said,"Soldier, put away those Cards". After the services were over the Soldier was taken prisoner & brought before the Provost Marshal. The Marshal said; Sergeant, Why have you brought this man here? For Playing cards in Church Sir. And what have you to say for yourself son? Much Sir, replied the Soldier. The Marshal said; I hope so, for if not I shall punish you more then any man was ever punished. The Soldier said; Sir, I have been on the march for about six days. I had neither Bible nor Prayer book but I hope to satisfy you with the Purity of my intentions. And with that the boy started his story...

"You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it reminds me that there is but One GOD.

And the deuce reminds me the Bible is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testament.

When I see the three, I think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

And when I see the Four I think of the four evangelists who preached the Gospel, there was Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

When I see the "5" it reminds me of the Five wise Virgins who trimmed their lamps. There were ten of them, five were wise and were saved. Five were foolish and were shut out.

When I see the "6" it reminds me that in Six days God made this Great Heaven & Earth.

When I see the "7" it reminds me, that on the Seventh day God Rested from His Great Works.

And when I see the "8" I think of the Eight Righteous persons God Saved when He destroyed this earth. There was Noah, his wife, their sons, and their wives.

And when I see the "9" I think of the Lepers our Savior Cleansed, and nine out of the ten didn't even thank Him.

When I see the "10" I think of the Ten Commandments God handed down to Moses on a table of stone.

When I see the "The King", it reminds me there is One King of Heaven, God Almighty.

When I See the "Queen", I think of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

And the Jack of Knaves is the devil...

When I count the number of spots on a deck of cards, I find 365, the number of days in a year. There are 52 cards, the number of weeks in a year. There are Four suits, the number of weeks in a month. There are 12 picture cards, the number of months in a year. There are thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

So, You see, Sir, My pack of cards serves me as a Bible, an Almanac. and a Prayer Book. And friends, the Story is True. I Know, I Was that Soldier.

By Wink Martindale--

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I remember this from early childhood. I heard it over the radio. I see it now on a Christian website. Brought back nice memories.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 22, 2003

Answers

>>>>>>>>>>>Up

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 22, 2003.

That is a great mnemotecnic device for Roman catholics, Eugene. I think I read it in a Reader's Digest book in the 1970s.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), April 22, 2003.

It's been around, clearly, since WWII; and as I mention, it was recorded with a tune in the background, spoken word. The golden age of radio-- I'm dating myself, but OK. It was over by the time you were born.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 22, 2003.

This also reminded me of Saint Patrick's three sided leaf.

I also remember the symbols of the image of Guadalupe, what they meant to the indigenous people.

I also imagine what the ark of the covenant meant to the Israelites, the lampstand, the high priest's ornaments.

For most Mexicans today, the flag represents: Green the forests, white purity, and red the blood shed by the heroes. Originally Green was for independence, white for union, and red for the Catholic faith. Most Mexicans don't know this. This happened around 1821.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), April 22, 2003.

This is indeed a fine old story. According to the Snopes website, it has been around at least as early as 1788, being passed down generation to generation in different variations. You can read about its history at: http://www.snopes2.com/index.html

God bless, -Eric Filmer

-- Eric Filmer (midgardia@hotmail.com), April 22, 2003.

Oh - with that web address I just gave, click on "What's New" on the Snopes homepage.

-- Eric Filmer (midgardia@hotmail.com), April 22, 2003.