Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-28
Popular Amn.ennrnl..


Popular Amusenentse
The season Of tie year is approaching,
most devoted to social gatherings and popular
amusements. Would that word might be
said which should induce m.thers, pro
fessed christian mothers, to look upon tho
selection Of these anusements for their chill
dren as a matter of great Importance, and
ono which has mighty boaring upon their
wcll-being for this life, and that which is TO
come.
1t is evident that, right or wrong, diifcr-
ont public sentiment obtains now, in many
quarters, from that which was prevalent
some years since. 10 other worls, dancing,
card-playing, and the like, are now com
mon whore once they were never seen.--
demonstrate with those who profess to
hare come out from the world, for thus con-
forming TO it. and we are told that Rev. Mr..
This and That do not disapproye Of such
practices. That members Of DIR. A. s church
always have dancing in their parties, and no
ono reproyes them for it; and their children
attend dancing school as a mstter OF coarse.
In the country, the prevalent city customs
arc quoted, and copied, and carried to excess.
So rapidly has this change in public sonti-
ment occurred, that sono cannot keep up
with il; aud to them it is still grief and
shame that Jesus should be SO ''wourdcd in
the house Of his friends"
II is in vain to argue that dancing may
bo mado a healthful and innocent recreation.
II is not; facts will prove it, and 'facts arc
stubborn things" Therefore should ths
Christian let it alone and require his children
TO do so. Thus short is the argument. No
spocious reasoning. no gilded sophistry can
mako a warn-hcarted Christian believe
that he can engage in amusements so utter
ly worldly in their nature, without cooling
tho ardor of his spirituality, and rendering
it necessary for him 10 redouble his watch
fallness and prayerful cxertions to regain
what he had lost. Fighting to keep his
ground! Is that growing in graeei
Bot we are sometimes told by protesting
Christians that they would not dance or
play cards themselves, but they see no harm
in allowing their children to enyage in such
amusemcnts. Oh to hear slpSa words from
+ a christian mother! Did you not, in those
y hours Of weakness, whom your newborn
babe WAS laid upon your bosom, VOW VOW
: unto the Lord to DO faithful unto that
> childi Wore you ehristidn mother, and
did you not consecrate that child to Godl
!, Could you DO christian mother and not
). fool in your inmost heart that you desired
j the favor Of God for that little one, rather
, than all earth could givol Did the eye Of
God read your heart, and fnd that those
. were but transient desires and rs soon
, as your child was old enough has it boen
u your real wish to sec it excel in dress and
: showl Have you with Your own hand led
:, it to an acquaintance with worldly customs
= and habits, to scenes Of frivolty and gayety
: calculated 10 Danish all serious views Of life
, and its objoctl How then can yep pray ia
faith that God woud coHVet your Of
! spring? Do you expect it while your child
. is bewildered by the vain glare Of earthly
paFadel As well might yon look for any
!, other miricle, for surely it would be miracle
l. of grace and mercy if Ho did send His Holy
= spirit TO guide such poor little wanderer
to tho paths Of true peace, when led assray
: by its natural guide.
= o how many parents have realized this
!. error, and wept over il when too late =
They never meant that daughter should be
!, devoted to the midnight dance, and become
: but the painted bedizeEed doh Of fashion,
" il not Of vice, when they let her 20, a sweet
!, , prattlng girl, to the quiet Saturday after.
y noon dancing-school. They never thought
that son would come staggering home TO-
:. wards morning from some gaming saloon
!, I. when he stood BY and enjoyed pleasant
- game Of whist in his hthsr's parlor---s
y bright, iiue boy Of promise then--a reckless
= = dissipated spendihrifl now. oh, no; but
~ yet the steps which let them down were sc
gradual 10 their descent, that they did MOI
: $50 the danger till too late.
y Christian mother, spare yourself such ag
q ony. With your own hand shut fast q.
door which leads into that road 10 hast,
u u ruin. Lay ii down As q guiding principI
!" Of your life, to pernsit your children moth
3 ing which would make work for repentance
. If themselves are ever brought TO bseomi
= :; christians; nothing which would ever brin,
~ ~ rerroach upon the memory Of a mothers
:" piety. Believe in the truth Of the good ol.
n n scripture injunction, and liva up to it:--
u 'Train up child in the way be should e
= and when be is old hs win not depart fron
90 tn NEG.