Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-03-21
From The S. C. Herald.
Mr.. EDIroR

| Mr.. EDIroR:
Is it right in the sight of God, and the view
of the Church of Jesus Christ, for member
of the Church Of Christ, or minister, or Of
] flee bearer in the Church, to send his or her
child, apprentice, or servant, to dancing
school! nlss4Es :,
m reply % this qaerydFssdlpSaaehs
we copy the subjoined article from the Pres
byterian; promising few remarks.
l. We ask Christians, if, from what they
have learnt of the character Of the Saviour.
from the inspired records Of his life, they are
of opinion that he would tell them to send their
children and others under their charge, whom
they are bound to bring up in the nurture and
admonition Of the Lord, to such places as
dancing schools! Would he advise the pla-
cling of their children under the tuition of such
men as dancing masters commonly are, to be
taught such an exercise as modern dancing,
with all its accompaniments and associations!
The Saviour mingled with publicans and SIN
ners, it may be said. So he did; but it was to
teach, and not to be taught; it was to change,
and not to be changed. Supposing the apos.
tie Paul or any other apostle to be asked the
question, what does any spiritually minded
reader of the Bible believe would be the ans
wer!
g. Professors ofrcligion who send their chill
dren to dancing schools and dancing parties,
are VIGOROUSLY those who, in other respects,
conform most to the spirit and practices of the
world. We would therefore exhort Christ
ians who feel tempted to follow their example,
to inquire whether their aim in this particular
is to glorify God, as it ought to be IN erery
thing; and also to examine themselves and see
whether, if they ever had the spirit Of Christ
and his followers, there is not danger that they
are now declining to the spirit OF The Journalist
ard worldly minded.
3. We ask such persons to read the l4th
chapter of Romans, and apply the reasoning
of the apostle in regard to the treatment Of
weak brethren, to the case in hand. No one
can doubt that many yea, most Christians in
this country do consider it sinful for church
members to attend dancing parties. or qualify
their children for such places. Now, suppose
all these to be "weak brethren" who. in this,
are unnecessarily scrupulous still, if the apos-
tie would never eat meat rather than brother
should be offended, Cor. viii. Is, will You
offend a brother for that which is surely less
important to your comfort! Suppose dancing
to be thing not only Indifferent but positive.
ly "good," yet it is not SO great good as
"meat," and as "the kingdom Of God is not
meat and drink, $50, it is not dancias. whatever
good may be supposed to be in dancing. "Let
US therefore follow after the thingswhie make
for peace, and things whereby we may edify
one another" If, altho' all things are pure,
it is still evil for that man who eateth with Of
fence, is it not also evil for that man who
danceth with offence, even supposing it could
be made out that dancing were itself purea--
The true Christian is peace man; he loves
peace, and will strive to maintain it, particu-
iarly in the Church; for this purpose he Is
always ready to deny himself and if need be.
to make great sacrifices. 1t was this spirit
which induced the apostle to say II meat
make my brother to offend, / viii eat no aesa
while the world standeth, lest make my bro
ther to offend"
"IIe that doubteth is damned, If he eat b.
cause he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever
is not of faith is SIM" Rom. xiy.2. That Ii.
,chatsoerer a man doth in regard to which be
doub.esa whether it is sinful-whetber i is ac-
cording to the will Of God or not, is s'ahd in
him, and that whether the act in itself is really
one that is actually forbidden, or not. Now.
no one doubts whether or not he COMMITS sin
in declining to sttend a dancing party, or to
send his child to dancing school All admit
that in this there is no sin. But can a Chris
tian frequent such place, or send his chs'4 to
such school. without, at least, doubling whe-
|ther he is net committing sin, by offending a
weak brother, if in no otherway; and he thss
doubts is condemned.
| From the Presbyterian.
DANCING.
The following plea for dancngis plaus-f
ibIv and a,geniously written. and IS il ex.
presses the opinions Of many, especially in
our large cities, who profess religion, We
insert it tos the purpose Of expressing our
own views Oh the subject.
GA subscriber will feel t:aukfxi to the
! Editor of the Presbyterian, if he xih pub.
lsh the incloscd-and will be also .hankfnl,
if there be hcrcsy contained the.sr, to sec
i, exposed by the Edior or any o;'.er per.
son.
"There is much value in the science or