Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-11
COM N UWICATI0W S.
Fur tho 4 dvcrIiscr.
DANCING.


a reply to this article nor do desire I" provoke
discussion Of this subject. (althnuglI am so well
satisfied that it is utterly opposed t" practical PIC
ty, and incompatible with the spirit OF devoHon'
that should fear nothing were I standing against
the world for it's condenlnation.) But the article
referred to, presents to my mind the proprety OF
vndcating the word OF God, and establishing the
teachings of inspiration on this subject. However
common this subject may be, our accountability TO
God makes it one of individual Importance. That
it has strong and numerous advocates is no EVIL
dcnce of its correctness, for no evil has ever YET
existed in the world hut had the same. Error al
ways has had, and always will have advocates, ana
may add, that these ever have been, and ever
will be in the majority; for the Saviour in speak
ing of tho gate Of life said, "and few there bc that
find it" while many walked the broad road and
entered the wide gate. But whatever advantages
may be aScrihcd to crror-whatcrcr motives may
be alleged in its favour, or whatever name may he
given for it, if it is not duty. it is sin: and there
is no little sin, because there is no little God to SIN
against But shall now proceed to more syS-
tematc discussion of this subject.
The falacy of justlfying dancing by the scrip
lures will be apparent in the contrast between
scrpuGal and modern dancing. In the ustra-
ton Of this contrast, We must ascertain What Is
dancing. The original words rendered dance IN
our bibles, often mean nothing more than COM
pany of singers. This will appear by reference TO
y o n. 4 nj
it, "praiSe lis name in tho dance, and the other
''praisc him with timbrcl and dance" The He
brew word rendered dance in both these passages
is properly the pipe. The idea is praise God with
the tmbrcl and pipe Soin the New Testament
the Greek word rendered dancing" in Luke
u: 25, is sumphoaia, from the yerh sumphone0,
which means to sound together to be in union, so
the noun sumphonia means symphony, i. c. con-
cert of Instruments Now what has the modern
dance to do With praising God Who engages in
it for tha! purpose? What devotional spirit is
there in it? What thought Of God belongs TO it |!
Would not the proposal to offer prayer or praise to
God in the ball room either throw dampncss upon
lbc amaZcmcnt or be hootcd down as out of place!
Again, some of the most pious of tic Old les
ktamcnt danced before the Lord Do the most pl-
| ous engage in the modern dance, and arc most OF
the elders and officers of the Church there Are
those who frequent the ball room the praying and
bible reading men of the land? Here might en-
ploy the argunentum al homiaunl," but will
not do So Again. when any great occasion OF
10Y occurred the Jews expressed it by the dance,
. Sam. 10: II; Ps 80: II Luke, 10 q. But
is the design of the modern dance to express JOY
for temporal or spiritual blessings again, on oc-
casions of national triumph, dances were some
times celebrated in honour Of those whose bravery
had been successful in war; Judges. IL: 34: and
| Sam. Is: G, (. But is this the Object OF the
modern dance Again. the Jews also praised God
for his wonderful goodness in the restoration OF
their nation by the dances, Jcr. 2l: l3. But is
the modern dance ever intended to celebrate
iovrul event which Cod had caused to take place
Also. Mt seasons of mirtl and joy. Oh any account
the dance was not uncommon, Jer. 81: i, 10.
Again. we have no evidence that both sexes ever
mingled together in the Jewish dance, ulllc it be
sourht in that itlnlatro,lS confusion which reign
around tic IMAGE Of Egyrts dciied calf at the
foot of Sinai Is it so with tic modern dance I!
In religious dances both sexes appear to have uni
ted in tic same proc, ssion. but i'll separate compa-
nies Ps GS % Again, ma,lcnS danced al0ne.
Judges, II 3l-alsc companies of females danced
alone, SAM IS: G; ard songs of praise were Of
ten SUM in the Hebrew dance, | Sam. Is: G.; also
u: II. Does this resemble the modern dance
They danced also as an expression of joy for spos
taken in wars, | Sam. 80: 1G. David danced for
the restoration of the Ark-hc danced aionc-Er
danced Loforc ihe Lord-hc dancctl as an express
sion Of iuv fer Gods eoolncSs, , Sam. 6: II, ~.
Now where is the analogy between the Jewish and
| modern dances which would justify tho latter by
the former If we lave any thing now that ap-
proaclcs To the jewish dance, it is the choir Of
singers which accompanies the organ or nielodoi
in uur Churches. close this heal with ono re-
mark, sound logic requires that if the example OF
ersons in Scripture he urged in favour Of dancing,
IT CAN EE ONLY FOR JUST SUCH DANCES AS THEY
pR,cTlsED.
Ill now purpose showing the sinlulness OF
dancing lN TIC authority of Gods word. rs there
are many Christian duties incucated by general
principle, Though not by express prcccpt, so there
arc ,"anv things condemned by general princi-
p,c, without any direct expression of Gnds disap-
pruLaton shall cOiIinc myself in this part Of
the subject, To one passage Of Gods word, which
contains the principle which will evidently Show
tho sinfuucSs of modern dancing. However anx-
in,,s the advocates Of sinful amuscmcnts may hc
to bend Gods word with harmony, with their own
desires, or to fortiry themselves in sinful ndusen-
ccs, by calling evil good and good evil, will find in
Tic passage referred to, a principle which God will
not change hccausc they desire it, but which shall
stand nmuably, when all the slIcculations of man
shall vanish as tic morning cloud or early dew.
That passage is found III Rom. IA: %. For
whatsoever is not of faith, is sin" This text con-
tains an mmuaL.c trutl--a rule of universal ap-
plication Tic apostle sets lis an example of test
ins actions by this rule. lie apples it to test the
correctness of what he had just said, "he that
catcth is condemned if he cat, because lie cateth
not of faith" That is if any brother doubts the
proprrty of eating meats prohibited by the law,
does so without having his mind fully satisfied
that God approves it-condcmns himself, because
he docs il without faith in its correctness, and tic
reason of this is that to him that cstccmcti any
thing unclcan to him, it is unclcan." But colf-