The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-01-03

Gal Hamilton, ia her last work
entitled stumbling Blocks, has some
remarks upon this amusement. which
We commend 70 the attentioa aud con.
siacatiou 81 our readers. She i we'll
known a. au approved contributor 10
lhe taaqfegatto4allst, and other re-.
ligl0us publications Of the most strict.
ess soa, and from that point Of view
her opinions ou this subject are wor.
~ 81 note, - they show degree OF
progress 10 liberaIity, aud iadepend.
euce 10 thinking and speaking. on so
cial questions which would not have
been tolerated a few years ago. We
look upon this change a, highly favor
able Go lhe general adoption Of sound
notions on the manner Of amusemsuts
FOR the young, as we knoV thar many
honest and conscientious people are
still troubled ia mind from fear that
Indulgence "a these recreaiions is in,u-
rious IN its tendencies. To such we
commend the following extract:
Look at dancing of the most
healthiul, the most civil, the most de-
lightful, and the most beautiful OF all
amusemeuis, singularly adapted to tho
vitality, activity and high spirits Of
the young and greatly conducive 10
ease Of manners grace Of carriage,
and suayity Of address, yet put under
ban by whole communities, on the
most frivolous preteus. Some hon
estly think il wrong. Why? Not in
lts essence nobody thinks il wrong
itself--bui because il leads To dissi-
patton" But it does not lead to dissi.
patton. Il leads away from d,ssipa.
uuo. There is whlot--that can find
employment for the closest attention.
the minutest observation tie strong
est memory and the souudest reason
ing, yet OF SO wide sweep that il can
lniereh and delight child of ten
Whole communities look upon ths,too.
as snare Of The devil 10 entrap souk.
Why Not because ii il wrong Of l.
seIf,"but il leads 10 gambling ltleads
away from gambling.
"Christiaas are verify guilty IN this
matter Mulitudes believe and ayow
that dancing 10 not wrong, but they
will not countenance it because many
do not think i wrong aud the many
'.l'' 50 fs5, fil ii wrong ia itsaif
but dangerous 10 its ASSOCIATIONS and
tendencies. IL il AN amusement ip
which ihe World indulges, aud there.
fore the church must give il up. Al.
surd Lea Christian (amilies adont
=, not coreHy apologetically as MANY
DO, but honestly, openly, and lis asso-
will very soon come round
right An innocent thing will not be
long held disreputable after reputable
people have taken il up. No matter
i the hofld does talk about a sdano-
ng church, and card playing Chris
.ian. The World should moi monon-
olize the be Of anything Let them
understand that the Church is not to
be Tended od from any occupation or
amusement that she judges wholesome
because the world chooses to hoist tbo
red flag of disease. Let the church
do thing because it is right, not be-
cause The world will pat il ON the
shoulder and say, good child, good
child Lei the chnrch abstain from nm
act because y d. wrong, not because If
she does il, the World will say, Be
hold, thou art become as one Of US
1t IS disgracofnl bon3age--an insult
to Christ. iiis oIuss does not want
the patronage Of thc World. II it caa
not stand on ils Own INTRINSIC value,
let it toppIe over Moreover, the
Christianity that eal be distinguished
from @grIi.insss Only By it, accept
anee or rejection Of dancing is a very
ariicIs Let our light so
shine before uen shst they. seeing our
good works. may gonly your Father
which is IN heaven. Be 50 humble.
- deyoat, ~ sincere, 10 hoDest, so
helpful, 70 faithful Christian, that
the World, tic fasA. and tbe Devil.
sball .ay, Dancing enHuot be wrong,
for hs daaces. Iyl can can hardly
read yOur ttle clear 70 mansions Ia
ihe skies, yoa can hardly have began
70 live tbe DIstae he, Il neu say,
He cannoi 10 mssh u Christian, for
10 daaees.
-------------ts~--------
4 blot V yoag people, canter