Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-05-21
Billiards, Whist, and Dancing Views of
Religious Pape1,

| The last number Of the New York
Independent contains an article upon
Forbidden Amusements,' from which
we quote;
ave start, then, with the admis,
sion that these pastimes are in them
selves Innocent and excellent. Take,
for instance, the game Of billiards.
This is almost universally condemned
| by Christians; and yet it is one of the
| best games ever invented. There is
just enough excitement in it to make
it interesting, and not SO much as to
tax the nerves unduly. 1t gives us
exercise without violent exer.ion; it
trains the muscles to steadiness and
precision of movement, and develops
to some extent the mathematical fac
ulties. If we discard it, | know of
nothing that can take its place.
"Cards are designed to answer o
different purpose. They furnish to
those who are worn out pleasant re,
taxation. A clergyman, who is a dis
tinguished professor in one of our col
leges, and man not inclined to
looseness in his opinions, gave his tes-
timony on this subject not long ago
in my hearing, substantially in these
words: There was time. said he,
when | felt that the best thing /
could do for an hour in the evening
was to play whist. | was too tired af.
ter the labors Of the day to read or to
study; to listen to reading, or to st
still and think would not do, for Ell
Their involved an activity ofintellect
which it was necessary that ! should
avoid. | was too weak physically to
attempt any athletic sport, and it be-
came "a serious question how | should
spend the time between supper and
an early bed time. A friend in much
the same condition, was boarding
with me, and we cast about US for
some suitable amusement. First, we
tried chess, but that was too hard
work. Then we played checkers for
few evenings, but the possibilities of
the game werc soon exhausted, and
we concluded at last that whist was
inst what we wanted. Itrequired no
intense mental application; there was
just enough excitement to keep us
wide awake, and it permitted dee
sultory chat, which would be far bet
ter for us than any conversation up>
on profounder topics This testimo-
ny is variously confirmed by per-
sons whose opportunities of observa~
ton have been ample, and whose
Christian character cannot be ques-
toned. There can be no doubt that
among the quiet fireside recreations
this game is one Of the very best.
With regard to dancing | can do no
better than to quote the words Of DR..
Claiming. We may not agree with
this eminent divine in his theologic~
I'll views, but no one can doubt the
pure and lofty morality ofhis doctrine
and his life. This exercise he says,
is among the most healthful. The
body, as well as the mind, feels its
gladdening influence, The ampse-
ment seems to have foundation in
our nature. x 1t is
to be desired that dancing should be.
come too common among US to be
made the object Of special prepara>
ton as in the ball that members Of
the same family when confined by
unfavorable weather, should recur to
il for exercise and exhiliration; that
branches Of the same family should
enliyen in this way their occasional
meetings; that it should fill up all
hour in all the assemblages for relax
ationin which the young form part,