Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-03-30

For the Tribune.
Christians and Dancing.


Christians and Dancing.
NEssHs EDIroas-In your paper of the 9th
,ast the subject OF Dancing is discussed 50 fully,
,gd in such q manner, that | think il deserves at
lsast. passing notice shall not attempt TO fol-
low the writer in all his wanteEings but will,
sg!,h YOUR permission, answer his main argument
that of Christians Dancing. He says, 1t is a
angular fact TO which the experience of every one
/ car testify, that neither cheating, stealing, lying
lor in fact, the violation of any one of the ten
t5mmandments, Is so universally deprecated and
eoulemaed by protessedly religious people, as
tllcine Again he says, AS a general rule
laose who oppose dancing most strenuously, are
the most bigoted and narrow minded" These are
lod assertions and sound rather harsh. Are they
frle Il 50, | think he has been peculiarly unfor-
tana,e in his associations a Church composed
u thieves cheats liars and violators OF all the
IT, commandments, and protesting 10 be religious,
voaIl, IN my opinion be a aard nation Ii that
Is true am glad that | 90 not live in his neigh
tolaooi
/ have always been accustomed to believe that
eFery church vas liable to have bad members,
az tia; the best Of them were liable to err; but
It,. generally honest and living to be useful-en-
scoHaging what was right and discountenancing
9error His churches may be entirely different
ant i they really of the character he has
Sgveu them, do not think il strange that he
thinks they might engage in dancing. or even to
. lo.lowit for living, if it would afford him a
comfortable one, or a pleqsrgable one For the
WINTER seems TO feel that whatever affords us most
pleasure, IS really the best for to pursue
must beg leave TO differ from the writer in that.
or believe our first and principal aim should be
70 Be useful And then a consciousness of being
useful is sufficient to afford US the greatest pleas
lz The writer thinks that two dollars paid for
ball bin Is the best kind of an investment, or
So afford the greatest amount of pleasure
E# tauk that the Bible teaches US that there are
'oae +" 10 are lovers of pleasure more than low
" Iers 2. Cod
81 b4t Is there not more real happiness and solid
pleasure in relieving the suferings of some friend
aF neg45or, with kind words of consolation. ac-
oonPaniel by the trifing sum of two dollars
ro4 do not believe the manifestations Of thank.
iaaess and gratitude on the part of the recipient
D. Kindness, ard the consciousness OF having done
Eaar ta.y Is not real pleasure must think il
because YOU have never tried it, or have done it
.SwIta wrong spirit.
80 an one Of those YOU speak of who have de-
~ -a.et sa dancing. was passionatey fond of l..
= .>e many others INDUCED in it freely But l
-... p. off wsleu was eighteen years old. l left
sl. ytt not from the influence of Christians or a
7a.es>i7n 81 Religion tor did not profess either
b1'. Ike many others, took a violent cold on
ie@'ag the ball room. was not laid upon a
- gel, as many others have BEEN in conse-
qasnce q such exposure, when the blood is 50
''.e- heated With the excitement attending those
scenes, and suddeuly going out into the open air.
ia. was lame. and confined long enough to give
time fer sobes thought aud reflection l then
81 5am-ed myself that | had danced for the last
t.e J dad not then regard it as being wicked,
al 2a'y Is foolish and very dangerous amuse-
81 As4t exposing the health and lives of all who
d anticipated IN 1t.
q Dancing Schools have always been called
]. eaoois Of polteness or good manners, But l
have never been able to see the evidence that
'Aose who attend them most are more polite or
agreeable 10 others, either in conversation or in
"Eii.1g than those who DO not l think, if our
'i.sEa was as familiar with the Scriptures, as he
s "t,a tripping the light, fantastic toe" he
81 'ea.a aot attempt TO justify il from that source
i@i4e-1s was Pracuced, and is now by certain
81 isa-.eas denomination, as an act of worship Ii
a -a, s tie object OF the writer's dancing. that is
'1 ,ag but il Tor pleasure, that Is quite another
q ~. David danced before the Lord, and spoke
81 lale 10 dance. Whether such acts of wor-
n would be proper for Christians noyv. is not
d aalect Al taIs time to discuss. / am not able
n z aal the hrs; place in the Bible where dancing
q isF Pleasure IS encouraged. Job Xxi. II. sneak
j some whose children dance. And in the 18th
d verse They say to the Lord depart from us for
d "s desire not the knowledge OF Thy ways. =
q ia4e Is the natural result or effect OF dancing
d !. llssigates the mind
q Tie writer speaks of the Red Men of the for
8, ce.igating in dancing around their council
81 Is lie might also have mentioned the fact OF
81 children Of Israel in their ignorance, after be-
II s 50 many years in slavery, while journeying
q -'oagh the wilderness, making a calf and then
3 c-ncing before il.
q again, after tue destruction of the great and
lSed city Of Babylon, Isaiah (xiii, 2I,) says,
8 Salyrs Cor evil spirics,) shall dance there. =
'-sA mentions: the daughter OF Herodious "a