Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1865-01-13
Dancing.


to the attention and considera-
tion of our readers. She Is well known as
an approved contributor to the Congrega-
tionalist, and other religious publications of
the most "strictest sort, and from that
point of view her opinions on this subject
are worthy Of note, as they show degree
of progress in liberality, and independence
in thinking and speaking, on social ques-
tions, which would not have been tolerated
a few years ago. We look upon this
change as highly favorable to the general
adoption Of sound notions on the manner
of amusements for the yonng, as we know
that many honest and conscientious people
are still troubled in mind from fear that in
diligence in these recreaions is injurious
in its tendencies. To such we commend
The following extract:
Look at dancing lone Of the most
heal,hful, the most civil, the most delight
full and the most beautiful Of all amuse-
ments, singularly adapted to the vitality,
activity, and high spirits of the young, and
greatly conducive to ease of manner, grace
of carriage, and suavity of address, yet put
under ban by whole communitie', on the
most frivolous pretexts. Some honestly
think it wrong. Why? Not in its es-
sence-nobody thinks it wrong itself but
because it leads to dissipation" But it
does not lead TO dissipation. 1t leads away
from dissipation. There is whst-that
can find employment for the closest atten-
ton, the minutest observation, the strong
est memory, and the soundest reasoning,
yet of so wide sweep that it can interest
and delight child of ten. Whole COM
munites look upon this, too, as asnare OF
the devil to entrap souls. Why? Not
because il is wrong OF itself, butit leads
TO gambling" 1t leads away frtm gam
bling.
Christians are verify guilty in this mat
ter. Muliitudes believe and avdw that
dancing is not wrong, but they will not
countenance it because many do think
ii wrong, and the many who do rot think
: it wrong in itself, but dangerous in its
I associations and tendencies. Il is an
amusement in which the world INDUCES,
! and, therefore, the church must give it up.
: Absurd Let Christian families adopt it,
: not covertls, apologetically, as many do,
: but honestly, openly, and its associations
e will very soon come round right. An in
d nocent thing will not be long held disrepu.
: table after reputable people have taken il
up. No matter il the world does salk
..s.eat dancing church, and a card
+ playing Christian. The world should not
e monopolize the b.st of anything. Let
I. them understand that the Church is not tC
II be Tended off from any occupation oil
= amusement that she judges wholesome be
:, cause the world chooses to hoist the rec
e flag of disease. Let the Church do thing
: because it is right, not because the worlf
d will pat ii on the shouldel and say gooC
II child, good child Let tie Church abstain
r from an act because i; is wrong, not be
Of cause if she does it the world will say
n, behold, thou art become as one of us,
OF 1t is disgraceful bondge-an insult Il
IS Christ. His cause does not want the pat
se ronage of the world. lift cannot stand OF
d. its own intrinsic value, let it topple over
e. Moreover, the Christianity that can b
Of distinguished from worldliness only by it
Iy acceptance or rejection Of dancing is a yer
insignificant article. Lei our light so shin
10 before men that they, seeing our goo
e. works, may glorify your Father which
a in Heaven. BE so humble, so Gevout, S
n sincere, so honest, SO helpful, SO faithful
n Christian, that the world the flesh, an
IF. the devil shall say, dancing cannot b
no wrong, for he dances You can bardl
th read your title clear TO mansions in til
r. skies. you can hardly have begun to Iiv
Is, the Divine life, if men say, he cannot b
or much of a Christian, for he dances"
at
THE HALCYoN DAYs-The seven day
!. preceding and the seven days following ii
sd shortest day, or the winter solstice, wei
called by the ancients the halcyon day
This phrase, so familiar as expressive of
he period of tranquility and happiness,
so derived from fable, that during the p
,.k.1., IL LnIo,ox, ~,