Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-14

These passages prove beyond question that dan
cling, per sc, is not sinful in a scriptural point OF
view; for ne find it used both as q means OF re-
joicing, aid as q mode of worship. Can it then,
be sinful as an amusement, when properly regula-
ted? With one more passage wedismiss this part
of the argument. "To everything there is sea
son, and n time to every purpose under heaven
sc. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; n time
to mourn, and a time to dance"-Eccles. chap. 3.
Dancing rs an amusement, has been p~ractised
by almost every civilized nation. The Athenians,
the most polished people Of antiquity, regarded
those as impolite, who refused to dance ct q prop
err time. In England, France, Germany, Italy,
Spain and Switzerland, it has been, and is still
~practiced by all classes'of society the peasantry
frequently assemble in the open air to indulge in
this favorite amusement. A Scottish writer says
on this subject; 1.-THE effect of dancing and music
in q moral point of view, is certainly considerable.
Polybius attributes the hospitality and piety Of the
Arcadians to the care with which these two arts
were cultivated, the youth being instructed in
them at the public expense; and this influence he
proves by contrasting those happy people with the
Cyn@thiaus, o neighboring nation, that neglected
so salutary regulations. Dancing promotes health,
cheerfulness, and the kindly affections between the
sexes, and LOCKE says it ought always to be taught
to children, asst gives graceful motions to all their
actions, and above all things, manliness and q be-
coming confidence; for this effect he cannot &C
count, but his good opinion entirely comedies with
that of the wisest ~ancients. SOCRATES becomes
so sensible of the good effects Of this exercise, that
in his old age he sedulously ~practised it; and LU-
CLAN, PLATO, ARISTOTLE, ATHENEUs, XEEoPHoN,
PLurARcH, and others, have written in praise Of
it,"
We Aatter ourselves that We have shown that
opponents dcclaim against it on the ground, that
it is liable to be abused now we would ask, in
the name of all that is sensible, what other gift of
God is not open to the same charges. If it is o.
gainst the abuse of it merely, that they declaim,
why will they not join with US, and give US the
benefit of their %counsels in arriving OF O ''proper
standard ?" We will not stop here to discuss the
puritanical nature of your correspondents preju-
dices against dancing, for he pleads guilty to the
charge by confessing that he would like to be pu.
%ritauical, not only in regard to dancing, but in
many other things. We fear that his admiration
for the puritan character, has led him to entertain
predjudices, not only on this subject, but on anoth-
er, upon which Christians should forbesr to touch,
viz modes of religious worship.
calais for the rarity
Of Christian charity,
Under the sun"
In our condemnation of the puritauical charac'
ter, and our advocacy of dancing we trust our po-
sition will be clearly understood. We do not pro-
pose to give these amusements an undue promi-
nence in the social system. We are far from be-
lieviug that we should attach too much Importance
to any of those "frivolous amusements by which
times ebbing sands are hurried through the hour.
glass Of life" We trust that we are not entirely
Indifferent to any responsibilities as rational and
accountable beings but we arc not such Jealous
votaries of the Diogenic philosophy as to exclude
ourselves from our legitimate pleasures as social
beings. We believe that there is, "a time for eve
~ thing;' and that Is indeed o shallow philosophy
which teaches its votary to deny himself oil the
pleasures Of life, while he hugs its sorrows to his
breast. COMUS.