Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-03-26
For the Southern Standard
Dancing.

AS this subject is exciting considerable atten-
ton in this community insomuch that the Press
Is laid under tribute by both the friends and op-
posers of the practice; have thought that the
following article from the editorial columns of a
religious paper published in Richmond, Virginia,
might be of some interest to portion of your rea
ders.
1t is said that "misery loves company" and as
some of so primitive" and ''prejudiced"
so far behind the progressive movements of the
present age, as to exclude dancing from the list of
smusements becoming the more sober minded and
pious; we may be excused for seeking "aid and
comfort" from such Sources as the article here an
nexed.
The writer takes bold stand his position is
well defined, and equally well fortified and pre-
sented in strong terms with very forcble ilustra-
tons and we very much doubt, if any "unprej-
udiced mind can read it without coming to the
same conclusion As for ourselves, we heartily
endorsecpVery sentiment this we venture to de-
clare, at the expense of being thought behind
the age. and Liberal in our views of Christian
morals, as Paul the aged"
The plea, that the universally of a custom, is
argument in its favor, and evidence of its cor
rectness, has been too we'll answered by a writer
under the signature of GA Primitive in the last
issue of the Democrat to require any thing at this
time from our pen. But we hesitate not to say
that the subject is far from being exhausted; the
records of the past, and the history of the thing
ITSELF are replete with numerous facts and argu-
ments against it. And, although, some things now
on record may not be again called up for certain
reasons of delicate ropriety-there is nevertheless
much that may, and whenever the cause demands
it, we are ready to enter the list.
The article we have clipped from the columns OF
the paper referred to, was elected from the pen OF
the Editor by some ofhs correspondents writing of
the existence of that and kindred evils among some
professors of religion in that vicinity and as the
friends of dancing here and elsewhere are making
apologies for it, it may be well enough to let them
see, what is said of it in other places than this,
and that all the anedeluvians not in and about
Columbus. Give the article, with these remarks
plaeein your columns and oblige
HORATIO. :
THAT members of the Church any where, should
80 far forget their calling. as to allow dancing and
drinking parties in their houses, is to matter SO
utterly surprising that if we did not know the char
acter Of our correspondent, we should find it inn
possible to credit the statement. But we cannot
doubt that the evil exists somewhere in the State
For the honor of religion we hope it is not com
mon and we pray that it may be wholly put a.
way from US. As to who introduced dancing a.
paong Christians we know not, but we incline to
he opinion that the devil had hand in it; and
we are persuaded he has great deal to do with
Il now. A dancing Christian and praying devil
might be safely put down in the same category
That some protesting godlness indulge in dancing
IL humiliating fact. But it IS certainly not an
element Of the Christian character, and is utterly
hostile to the spirit and practice ofgodliness For
tbe time, there can be no joyoussense OF the pres