The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-06-06


Mn. EDuoR IL see il your issue Of April
2sth, communication clipped from the Ma
con Republican, headed "The Sin Of Dancing,
in which Mr.. or Miss Curiosity has PROFOUND
ed some queer interrogatcries, indeed, and
also endeavored to irstil some very strange,
though not unpopular notions into the bud
ding eraniums of the rising generation.
heartily concur in one idea advanced by this
curious parsonage, concerning the cheerful
mess which should be depicted upon the BEAM
ing eountenance of every christian, but as
much as | dislike petty contest for the vindi-
cation or demolition Of petty principle. am
constrained, in sentimental candor, to dissent
from the main tenor Of these intimations-
concerning what the churches should tolerate
in their jurisdictive capacities-as conceive
IL such practices were countenanced in a
church, they would lead to pollution and
thence TO an inevitable overthrow, and thus
thwart the grand project for which this sa-
cred ms tuition was established But TO
few OF those questions propOunded by our III =.
scrupulous friend, who seems never to have
tracked them in their tendency and applica-
tions. IL is first asked, why are the churches
not more liberal in their rules and regula
tionsi Is this not virtually asking the God
Of heaven why lie did not save man without
the adoption Of instrumentalityi And would
not your question resolve itself to this absurd
query: Why did a kind Saviour, in his con-
deseension of humanity, propagate certain
judicious principles-transmit them critically
to his followers. and give them the legitimate
mandate to circulate, vindicate and inculcate
these principles through successive ages, and
tl,ua aaf 81 ia tnto 81 a..
gate of destruction, which should shine as
Che polar star among the contaminate insti.
buttons Of mani Now, you'll certainly con-
cede that the churches, at present, are far
from possessing that priscine purity for
which they were once so proverbially
nvted. Then, why would you have them
more liberal in their rules aud regulationsa
WHAT as little discrepancy as already exists
between the church and the world, and then
contend that this thread bare veil should be
hoisted, and thus remove barrier which YOU
say excludes many from an entrance at its
aquarious portalf Would this not be doAing
the sanctity OF an institution founded upon
the blood Of the spotless Son of Heaveni-
And would it not give scope for mighty
scramble of polluted mortality at her ivory
gate. who, having obtained ingress, would
sweep the morning dews from her eysian
plains with purple flood of gorei
Friend C., are you not Of the Know Moth
ing orderi and do you not deprecate the liber.
atty Of some of our naturalization laws.
which have thrown wide our ports for the
ADMISSION of pauperism, rabbleism, and every
other ism of foreign origin of which you could
conceived And do you not deplore the sick
ening influence which is daily being energet-
ically exerted throughout our beloved land,
through the medium Of this degrading ingressi
the pestiferous breath of which has we'll nigh
deposited its deadly venom in the great font
from which flows the life .blood of our nation.
al fabric, and which indeed threatens at every
successive sweep to rend asunder the golden
chain which guards the sanctity of the con.
stitution. Then if any importance may be
attached to this reckless lberality in po-
litical point of view, how much more impor.
tant, by far, is it to guard against it's demo-
ishing tendency in the regime of a church.
where far more exalted ends are to be attain.
ed than those aimed at by political organiza.
tionsf But again, infer that you approve
OF ballroom pedestrianism from the supposi-
ton that it is healthy and innocent anuse.
ment and also advocate its federation by
churches from the consideration that you have
witnessed other vanities in the party circle
as naughty and impolite as the pigeon-wing
gallopade, and indeed this would be plausi-
sistency of those practices with which you
have colated your favorite sport Of dancing;
but1you must not take it for granted because |
churches do not openly repudiate these calico |
puppets, oiiicious auple tongues, and long. |
faced pretensions that they are in the least |
in vogue with the true spirit Of christianity.
Now let us deliberately pry into your (Curi.
osity's) positions. As far as its physical ten
dency is Immediately concerned, IL may bring
a rose to the cheek, but this Is insufficient to
establish its innocence. The condition of the |
mind before and after these nocturnal jollif-
cations is far better index of their pernicious
tendency. Only view the ticketed lass as
with elated heart she receives the favoring |
intelligence of a next weeks fandango The |
quiet home circle is abandoned to hubbub
the doting mother, forgetful of her religious
vows, is wholly absorbed in the accomplish
Inents of her daughter; tight lacing the pre-.
cursor Of a fatal disease, is resorted to until |
the fair damsel can scarcely speak above her
breath; dress after dress is trimmed and
equipped for the approaching scene; another
and another slipper is adjusted to her tiny
feet. until they are pressed almost into the
dimensions Of pea-pod; and in fact, all the
while this busy one is engaged at the reflector
or in the dressing chamber, to the exclusion
Of all serious thoughts. But finally the APP
poihecu MUIR aTTiNet, anu 10 spent III triumph
ant gymnasticsm-the romping girl returns
home, but oh! the sequel She looks as though
she had awoke from sad dream, through
which, ever aud anon, anxious phantoms
fitted and spread their death boding pinions.
Her frame is Frustrated, her energies relaxed,
her brain feverish, and a clammy chill sits
on her paid cheek, while a bestirring con.
science points her to the more sober realities
Of life and Immortality You'll admit that
this is no imaginary sketch-no rare occur
renee in this land of dreams Then where is
ths utility or even innocence of dancngi-
When it drives the mind to such desperate
ebb can it be fitted for the common calls of
life, much less to the more peculiar duties
with which religion is ever fraughti True,
mother Eve has bequeathed US much inquisi-
tivencss, and in addition to this we have in.
herited many peculiar whims through her
disobedience, which death alone, perchance,
will eradicate, but a spark Of common sense,
ii We can muster il. will teach us that not all
that shines is gold. Beneath the crocodile
appearance Of innocence turks u thousand
snarcs, ready to submerge us If seduced by
her bewitchng charm. IL the church must
become so fashionable that the world may
embrace christianity without any sacrifice Of
sin, Why then she will cease to possess that
popularity which was ascribed to her by her
Founder, when he said THE world is mot Of
me because it has not known me-" What
consistency would there DO in expunging
these little bylaws from the church when
already she is assalled for N want Of order