The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-16
A Plea for Innocent Amusements.

The subject Of "worldly amusemeuts," as they
are called, is undergoing, it is evident, a recon-
sideration in the christian world. We read that
the Young Mems Christian Association of New
York has set up billiard table,--that the same
institution in Troy alternates reading with back
CANNON, checkers, and chess. Quite recently
clergyman, ON being accused of permitting dan
cling in his church, not only cheerfully admitted
the fact, but added that ho himself often led in
the amusement and recommended the plan to
the serious consideration of his brethren in the
ministry.
Ali this shows that, sooner or later, dancing
will be added to the list of amusements that are
in themselves innocent, and will be adopted as
such by christian people. Indeed some do SO al
ready, as for example the ladies of the Episcopal
Church OF our city. They DO not ban it and give
1t over to "the world, thereby virtually inviting
their young people to 80 TO the world for the
purpose of enjoying it. They bring it into their
houses, and encourage its practice under wise
sanction and supervision
We hope it is not trsnehing on the sanctity of
private hospitality to speak Of delightful church
sociable recently held at the house OF j. +. Nash,
Esq 1t seemed to US in all respects model en-
tertainment, and we could not help wishing that
the wise christian philosophy of arnusemsnts
which was there put in practice, could obtain rec
ignition generally.
The way II is managed is this. The ladies of
the Episcopal Church make their Ladies Sewing
Society the nucleus of their sociables The sew
ing society meets in the afternoon and is attended
chiefly by married ladies, whose husbands join
them at tea. The entertainment including re-
freshmeuts, is extended into the evening and the
young people are invited to attend.
Now it is a common omplaint, in our pleas
ant little city, that young people are inclined
to draw off by themselves; that they enjoy gath
ering in proportion to the degree in which their
elders are lett out of it. If this is 50, may not
the evil arise from soma mistake Of the latter on
recreations At all events, no such social disin-
tegrat;on is observable in the case alluded to-
The young people Of the church, moving that
their innocent gaiety will neither be checked nor
frswned upon, 90 as freely as their elders, and
the result is, a successful and happy comming-
true conception Of social intercourse.
II was beautiful sight On the evening allu-
ded TO, to see wives and husbands throw off for a
pleasant hour or two their common cares, that
| they might enjoy society, now moving for a few
minutes in the blithe quadrille, now chatting
cheerily with each other and with friends. Gimp
ses of lovely children similarly engaged, came
now and then through the sudden vista of an
| opening door. "O!' said little ono running to
her mother for sympathy, as children always
, Inus.-"yeu don't know what q nice dance we
have rad" "Have you?" returned the smiling
mother; run away and dance again" Music,
too, lent It's brightness. ) promising young am
| ateur who wields remarkable bow for one
So ysung drew varied expressions from the many
voiced violin, the flute, in skillful hands,
breathed its lovely tones-the piano now tinkled
with accompaniment and again poured out Its
volume OF sweet sounds.
| The effect was magical. Knots of matrons,
among whom zee claimed companionship, forgot
house-cleaning, and washing day, and buttons,
and Biddie, and small mosquito stings of caae, and
chatted gaily in pleasant corners. Their hus-
bands discussed the new County Clerk, and the
new Attorney General, and the church, all
OF which belong to the good time coming, with
a more sober but not less real cheerfulness. Then
rose OF Il sudden the pastors voice, III its tTemo0
of purest vibration which is the peculiar quality
in that fearful song of unutterable yearning,
When the swallows homeward fly" Someone
gave a practical turn to the same by proposing a
few swallows of coffee, and so a gay raid upon
the dining-room and its table of incest edibles,
| closed the scene.
TAsse ladies DO not find themselves uawelcome
among the young people, and that flock does not
follow its shepherd any the less readily to the sll
waters" of truth, because he also accompanies
them to the green pastures where the cowslips
shine, and the lambs find innocent diversion.
We do net intend a shadow Of disrsspect to
those who differ from Us this subject. We
only plead for liberty OF action. We we'll know
that there are many christians who think as we
think, but restrained by Difference to weaker
brethren from practicing US we practice. We
esrnestly hope that the question will be raised
in their minds, whether it would not be better
to walk by their own convictions Of right and
wrong, and emancipate themselves and those un.
der their care from the yoke of another mans
conscience whether they are not really violating
the Apostolic command, Let no D1u, Judge you
in respect of meats and drinks"
! When the churches pnt dancing into the same
category with music--wher they adopt and
countenance, and regulate, and supervise it, they
probably will find it far better for both the church
and socisty, for old and for young. 5. E. II.
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