True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-11-19
@enetal gntelLigelltt.
[From the Nashville Christian Advocate
~ Dancing uS Religion.

n. assume that which will not be de-
MED by any viz that religion is right
and irreligiou is wrong. If any one de-
MES this | have no controversy with him.
2. 1t follows necessarily that that
which promotes religion no matter what
il is, is right, and that which retards or
lessons religion is wrong. @ rs,I
3 That course Of conduct, in gross and
in detail, on the part of lbe Church, and
the public, which tends to increase reli
gion is right--that which lessons is
wrong. . r's
4. Dancing in much or in little, or the
promoting encouraging, or abeting the
practice, either increases or diminishes re-
Iligion. It is either an advantage or a
disadvantage TO religion. a72
| 5. Now suppose all the members Of
all the Churches in this State were to
adopt the dancing doctrine, and indiscrim-
inately, ministers and members, attend
balls and dancing parties, and dancing
schools. Would this tend to increase or
diminish religion in this Slate ! Is there,
can there be, difference Of opinion on
this point. aat I+
6. Suppose my minister were to turn
dancer, and to give aid and comfort to
dancing schools and dancing parties;
would this promote or injure religion in
our society! Z sIro.ee.' ~
Z. Suppose a Methodist preacher-you
know may suppose anything possible =
suppose Methodist minister 10 be the
keeper, supporter, or patron of dancing
school, and the authorities of the church
permit it, would not this cause Metho-
dism to stinkin the nostrils Of all people
throughout The extent of all that man s in.
fuence. g-f. tH .a.aHr- .sHt
8 Ny neighbor Brother S., is our class
leader. Dancing is not dreamed of in
connection with him or his family. His
SOILS and daughters are grown, some Of
them, and occupy the highest positions in
society. Neighbor t., is just about in
like circumstances in every respect, ex-
cept that his sons and daughters are dan
GERS and he "dont see any harm in it,
Who does not know that the influence Of
the one family is for religion and that Of
the other against it? .,. .-.1
0 Mrs. B. sends her daughter to dan
cling school, "can't see any harm in it,
and so she goes herself too, when she
feels like it. Her daughter is sick and
expected TO die tonight Does she send
for the dancing master, or for dancing
or non-dancing professor of religion, or o
dancing or non-dancing minister, to talk
and pray with her! A young manor
any other kind of man or woman-is
about to die. Would he want. would he
haue, dancing minister with him in his
last hours, supposing there to be one
10. Suppose DR.. M Ferren, of Nash
vile, were to come to this part Of the
country accompanied with weIl-attested
information that he was a dancer-I
mean that he gives countenance and en-
couragement to it-he don't see much
harm in it." Would his preaching do
any good ? Would our people generally
60 to hear him preach! The boys would
60 10 see ard laugh at him but would
the well-wishers to Christianity desire
to have visit from him! .ls8ah
IL. Suppose it 10 be known through.
out the country that our Book Agents.
Editors, and all the persons engaged in
and about the publishing house, at Nash.
vile, were dancers encouraged and sup.
ported dancidg, Would not this cause
Southern Methodism to be looked on by
the world as rotten carcas Of filth hy.
pocracy and putridily. at'i 'r
IL Here is fact personally known tc
me, which illustrates the character o.
dancing schools the world over, andi;
universally recognized by all men. An
itinerant dancing master was going to ge
up school at the town Of R--v---, but
his friend returning from there informed
him there had recently been great revi'
val Of religion there. Y" All, it wont do 3
said he, ns this d--d revival has spoiled
, everythiugl" And he must go elsewhere
to a place where he would encounter nc
such difficulty. ' t"ot
13. A dancing professor Of religion
l mean one who encourages the thing il
any way--is a running sore in The
Church. He is OH the other side pulling
the Other t0ay. He stinks publicly o
sin and is claimed, rlght(ully claimed, b.
the other party. iiali.A s'sl---i f'',t :
l. What would you think Of dancing
!, minister supposing such a thing! ] d.
} not meanto enquire what religious people
,'Iwould think Of him, but what would al
people think of him =! II il is right {,
dance, thena minislermay dance, as vel
, as any other person. Is not every mai
/ compelled to know that lie is either mo
. nomaniac Or a ihypeerits II .'AForA him II
bea Christian is SIMPLY impOssible.--
Everybody knowst6at dancing, ,casdplay
| ing horse-racing, theatre-going, Sabbath
) llbreSkihg, swearing, drdnkennesss and Il
centionsness, stand in the same category
5 and bear the same relation.tog the Chdtci
and 10 religion. Evervbodv knows this