Smyrna times., 1855-02-28
Written for the Smyrna Times.
A REL MINIS ISCENCE,
Kent County, Feb. 1855.

II
In the year 1899, became acquainted with
the family of Mr.. Leslie Gracey. 1t consisted,
beside the domestics of himself and an only
daughter who bore the name of her mother
Ellen. MIR. Graccy was an honorable, inteIlec-
tuai and wealthy man, and, above all he was a
true christian From the death of his wife
which occurred about four years prior r. my
introduction to them, his affections scemel ia
centre in Ellen. She was his daily communion
both in the Injuries of home and of travel. lie
made use of his own extensive knowledge. his
wealth and position, for the purpose Of accom-
pllshlng his daughter in everything that per
tanned to her age and condition in life. She
was a lovely girl in form and feature, in mind
manners and disposition. | observed, however.
or thought did, one weakness in her cbarac-
ter-she was too scnstive-she shrunk from,
the slightest touch Of ridiculr, and under IFS IN
fuence, her frmness sometimes gave wav
One afternoon, when Ellen was about sixteen
years of age, Mr. Gracey and she retired 10
beautiful arbor in retired part of the extern
slve grounds which surrounded their mansion.
Ellen took her seat on his knee, placed her arm
aro"nd him, and, with a mingled expression Of
desire and doubt, said,
"Father, do you object to my going to dane.
ing school J"
For moment the question rather startled
him, and he simply replied, "Why, my dear.
do you desire to go!''
Well, said she, there is now good op-
portunity of learning A celebrated Professor
OF Dancing, direct from Paris, has Just arrived
IN our village, and has already formed large
class. Besides, many Of the young ladies' with
whom am acquainted, are going, and they have
strongly urged me to allow my name to be
handed in with theirs. But if you do not a D.
prove of it, will decline"
F. "Elen," said her father, with much ten
derness, "yOu know that love you, and would
deny you no innocent pleasure: yet cannot
consent for You to learn to dance"
Il. 81 Why not. father -
r. d" There are many reasons, my dear. In
the first place, | do not think it right. Then.
again, you We're to attempt to learn, believe
you would excel; and, as consequence, YOU
would desire to attend dancing parties, and
thea, of course, you must give them; neither
Of which should feel at liberty to allow"
E. But, father, some of the most respecta-
BILE people in town are going to send their
iaughters There is Gen. Browne, Col. Harris,
Mr. Rogers, and number of others whom
could mention" -.
+. That may all be, my child; but that
ioes not make it right. These gentlemen may
be deserving of esteem and honor on account of
their many excellent qualities and real worth,
yet they may do many things inconsistent with
their relations to God and their interests in n
future state of being. The plea, at the last
lay, that we have done only what respectable
people have done, will be disallowed bv the
Great Judge. The modern pleasure dance
certainly does not correspond with christian
obligation and christian character"
e. Z" But father, Mrs. Letevre and Mrs.
Bond intend to send their daughters, and won
know they are all members of the church
They say that dancing is recognized in the
Bible, and that it is an innocent amusement
F. alt is true, Ellen, they are members Of
The visible church, but THAT, of itself does not
make them safe guides for us. The tares and
tue wheat are in the same field. There are
many doubtless, whose name are on the church
register, that cannot be found in the Book IF
Life. We are to take no man or woman as the
ofduty4thatis is determined by higher
power. We should. embrace and follow the
opinions of others, on ly as they confirm TO the
aled~illUf God! But you say, they refer to
the Scriptures as proofsih favor of dancino.--
Let,hs examine this point little - Dancing
is mentioned in the Bible, at is true. But how
is it mentioned SrmPly-asa matter of fact
as other facts in ohistory.O 1t must be,borne in
mind, that the Bible contains not only acede of
moral law, but that at contains much of the
verltable history bothof good men and bad men.
at does not stop tleach actual Occurrence Of
human conducts and ssay this is goods that is
bad--but merely states the facts as they occur.