Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-02-15

posed upon 1t. AT nome, under the eye
of the older, and chastencd by the supervi-
sion of the refined and the experienced, it
wonld soon stand as high in point of mora
lity as any other amusement, and take the
preference as one Of the most healthful,
elegant and delightful recreations.
A word upon the "time to dance"
Has he who doubts whether there is a
time that can, with proprety be employed
in the recreation of dancing, even pictured
to himself the golden sunsets Of Juedea,
when young and old have returned from the
labors of the day and are seated in the
doors or reclining in groups, enjoying the
exquisite beauty of the scene, and the
sweet balminess of the air Has he never
imagined, at such time, the harp or viol
sprnging up and dlscoursing gay music,
while the feet Of young men and maidens
are drawn to keep time to its melody. am
sure that modern travellers speak of such
scenes, nor can see, why, under crcum-
stances like these, there does not arise a
time to dance. avn not to quote particu-
lar passages, not being conversant with Ell
ther concordance harmony or exegesis, to
assist my research; but it does appear
to me, that the spirit and meaning of many
passages in the scriptures, in which dancing
is mentioned, 60 very far to prove that 1t
was, in ancient, as in modern days, one of
the favorite forms of amusement, by both
sexes, among the chosen people of God
the Jews. Indeed, ancient history and mo-
dern research both concur in proving that
there has been no nation known to history,
or reached by the voyages of discoverers
who have not their own modes and fashions
ofdancing; and this holds good, from the
ferocious demi -brutes of Polynesia to the
elite of the most polished society In chris
tian Europe.
That in modern times, both sexes mingle
in the dance, is attributable rather to the
civilization and refinement of the age, than
to any other cause. 1; is only IN civilized
communities, that woman is known as the
friend and companion ofman-the partaker
of his amusements and the dlvider oil his
joys and sorrows, as well as the sharer of
his tolls and labors. And shall this raising
of the fairer portion of creation to the
sphere in which God and nature Intended
she should move, TO be urged against an
amusement in which both sexes partake {!
Where does woman 60, that she does not
refine, improve, and shed mellorating and
humhizins influence? Is this wrong!
Casuist You arc striving for victory, ra-
ther than truth
In conclusion, have few words to say
to christians. Ifdancing has gone astray,
mingled in bad company and acquired faults,
call it home and correct it. Let your chill
dren dance around the parental fireside, and
then exercise your influence, to chasten
and refine it until it becomes perfect. EX-
perience wiltell you, that 1t Is better to be
reformer than Gestroyer-an lmproVer
than radical. " Stolen waters are sweet"
is passage of scripture, with fearful
meaning, and if you make that to be stolen
that can be innocently enjoyed, leave you
to Judge of the responsibility. If you will
drive dancing from society, something
worse may take its place, but you may me-
liorate and improve it, and let i. still retain
its ascendency. Remember, with how
much ofthe sweet and graceful in life is the
dance ussoc ated with music, and paint
ing and poetry. 1t is one of the graceful
arts, or rather the graceful art-the poetry OF
motion-the full developement of all
those thousand bodily graces which have
been hung around the human form, for
some purpose; and the opposition to Its be-
ing enjoyed, at proper times and places Is
a remnant Of that spirit, which, in the days
of the puritans caused men to walk like au-
tomatons, to speak if their words were me-
ted by yard-stick; and which, in modern
times, brings shad-beled coats, broad brim-
med hats and strait bonnets before the world
as evidences of piety and the love of God.
The constitution of our natures leads us
to the choice of active rather than sedenta-
ry amusements.-The mind sympathies
with the body in those employments that
stimulate the flow of the spirits; nor does
true religion hang chain upon the limbs,
nor spread continual cloud Of solemnity
over the heart. Dark indeed must that soul
be, that believes that to merit the joys of
Heaven, it must be continually employed,
while here, in acts of penance and mortifi-
cation.
Finally; if you wish to dance--dance!
Ifjoy and gladness be your portion, and
you have leisure--dance. Prefer to do SO
at home, but do not refuse in select society.
Do it for the glory of God; for he is
pleased when men find innocent sources OF
endowment.