Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-28


pel the frowns of those who view this rational
and innocent amusement, as highly irreproaeh'
able:--and that the young may be disposed to
Join more frequently in the giddy mazes OF the
enliyening dance.
A TIME TO DANCE.
A ball having occurred IN the parish OF a
worthy minister, at season OF peculiar serious
ness among the youth OF his pastoral charge, &
many of them, from conscientious motives, hav-
ing declined 10 attend, their absence was a,rib-
uted (erroneously) 10 the influence and inter-
ference of-their pastor, who in consequence re-
ceived the following anonymous note.
Sir:-Obey the voice OF the holy scripture
Take the following for your text, and contradict
it. Show in what consists the evil OF that IN
ocent amusement Of dancing. Ecees iii 4.
A time to weep, a time to laugh; time TO mourn
and-a time to dance.
"a true Christian, but no Hypocrite.'
The minister Immediately ro,e the follow
ing reply, thinking i, might meet the eye and
correct the opinions Of the writer of the note *
others.
My Dear Sir:-Your request that ] would
preach from Eecles. Ill 4 cannot comply with
at present, since there are some christian du-
ties more important than dancing, which a part
Of my people seem disposed to neglect hen
ever perceive, however, that the duty OF dan
cling is TOO much neglected shall not fail TO
raise warning voice against SO dangerous an
omission. In the mean time, there are certain
difficulties in the text which you commend to
my notice, the solution of which should re-
ceive with gratitude FROM A true Christian
NV first difficulty respects time for dancing,
for although the text declares there is a time TO
dance, yet when that time is, it does not deter
Y ~
actly, before preach upon the subject; for II
would be as criminal, I conclude, 10 dance at
the wrong time, as 10 neglect to dance at the
right time. have been able to satisfy myself,
in some particulars, when il is not "a time TO
dance We shall agree, Ipresume, that on the
Sabbath day, or at funeral, or during the pre-
valence ola pestielnce, or the rocking OF an
earthquake, or the roaring of thunderstorm,
il would be no time 10 dance.-Ifwe were con-
demned 10 die and were waiting in prison the
day of execution, this would be no time for dan
cling: and il our fee; stood on slippery place
beside precipice, we should not dare 10 dance.
But suppose the very day 10 be asoertained
is the whole day or only part, to be devoted
to this amusement? Aud if part of the day on
", then which part is 'the time TO dancer From
the no,oriously pernieious effects OF night
meetings. in all ages both upon morals anu
n.
s,ime TO dance and perhaps it may be inmate
rial which portion of the daylight is devoted to
that innocent amusement. But allowing the
time 10 be ascertained, there is still an obscure
~ in the text. Is it a command 10 dance, or
only permission! Or is it merely a declara-
ton of the fact, that, as men are constituted,
there is time when all the events alluded to IN
the text do in the providence OF God come TO
PASS? If the text be command, 1t is OF unlver
sal obligation; and must 'old men and maidens,
yonnp men and Children dance obedience!--
If permission also to refrain from dancing, If
any are disposed? Or if the text be merely
declaration that there is time when men do
dance, as there is time when they die, then
might as we'll be requested to take the first
eight verses Of the chapter, aud show IN what
consists the evil ofthose innocent practses OF
hating, and making war, and killing men, Tor
which il seems there is "a time, as well as Tor
dancing.
There is still another difficulty in the text,
which just now occurs 10 me. What KIND OF
dancing does the text intend! For il is certain
s " matter ONO small consequence to "a true
christian dance in a scriptural manner, as
we'll as at the scriptural manner.
Nc ITO avoid mistakes on point Of SO much
;nnurtance, have consulted every passage in
the bible which speaks of dancing; the most
important Of which permit me to submit to
your inspections.
Exod. XIV. 90. sand Miriam the prophecies,
the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand,
and all the women went out after her, with Tim
brels and with Dances This was on account
Of the overthrow of the Egyptians in the Red
Sea.
Judges xi. "a. The daughter OF Jeptaph came
out TO meet him with timbrels and dances
This was also on account of the victory over
the enemies of Israel.
Judges xxi 81. 'The yearly feast in Shiloh
was feast unto the lord in which the daughter
Of Shiloh went forth in Dances This was done
as an act of religious worship.
2 Sam. vi. l4-co. 'And David danced before
the lord with all his might But the irreligious
Michael came out TO meet David, and said,
how glorious was the king Of Israel to day, who
uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the