, 1865-07-14
Dancing and Whist Playing.

Gail Hamilton, in her last work entitled
"Stumbling Blocks" has some remarks upon
these amusements, which we commend to the
attention and consideration Of our readers. She
is well knOwnas an approved contributor to the
Congregationalist and other religious publica-
tions of the "most strictest" Sort and from that
point of view her opinions on this subject are
worthy of note as they show degree ofprogress
in liberality, and independence in thinking and
speaking on social questions, which would not
have been tolerated few years ago. We look
upon this change as highly favorable to the gen
eral adoption of sound notions on the matter of
amusemeuts for the young, as we know many
honest and conscientious people are still troub-
led in mind from fear that indulgence in these
recreations is injurious in its tendencies. To
such we commend the following extract
"Looking at dancing-one ofthe most health
full the most civil, the most delightful, and the
most beautiful of famusements-singula adap-
ted to the vitality, activity and high spirits of
the young, and greatly conductive to ease of
manner, grace of carriage, and suavity of ad-
dress, yet put under ban by whole communities,
on the most frivolous pretexts. Some honestly
think it wrong Why? Not in its essence-no-
body thinks it is wrong in itself-but because
it leads to dissipation 1t leads away from dis
ipation. There is whist-a game that can find
employment for the closest attention, the nil
Qub6bL ODbOINhblOus luC bbAOuBSbb AAClOAy 1At
the soundest reasoning, yet ofso wide sweep
that it can interest and delight child Of ten
Whole communities look upon this, too as a
snare Of the devil to entrap souls. Why2 Not
because it is wrong of ITSELF 'but tbecauseit leads
to gambling. 1t leads away from gambling.
Christians are verify guilty in this matter
Multitudes believe and avOw that dancing is not
wrong, but they will not countenence it because
many do think it wrong, and the many who do,
think it not wrong in ITSELF bat dangerous in its
associations and tendencies. It is an amuse-
meut in which the World indulges, and there
fore the church must give il up. Absurd Let
Christian families adopt it, not coyertly,
apologetcally, as many do, but honestly and
openly, and its associations will very soon come
round right. An innocent thing will not long
be held disreputable after reputable people have
taken it up No matter if the World does talk
about dancing church and 'card-playing
Christian The World monopolize the best of
everything. Let them understand that the Church
is not be Tended off from any occupation or
amusement that she judges wholesome, because
the world chooses to hoist the red flag disease.
Let the Charch do o thing because it is right,
not because the world will pat it on the shoulder
and say Good child, good child Let the Church
abstain from an act because it is wrong, not be-
cause if she does it, the World will say Behold,
thou art become as one of u.s.. 1t is disgraceful
bondage-an insult to Christ. His cause does
not want the patronage of the World. Ifitcan-
not stand on its own Intrinsic value, let it top
pie over. Moreover, the Christianity that can
be distinguished from wOrldliness only by its ac-
ceptance or rejection of dancing, is very in
significant article. Let your light so shine be-
fore men, that they seeing your good works,
mayiglosify your father which is in Heaven. Be
so humble, so devout, sincere so honest so help
ful so faithful q Christian that the World the
flesh and the Devil shall say, "Dancing cannot
be wrong for he Dances You can hardly read
your title clear to mansions in the skies, you can
have hardly begun to lead the Divine life, if
men say, He cannot be much of Christian, for
he dancaqt -