The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-04-21
Dancing Again.

Dancing Again.
GREEN Tp., WAPELLo Go. Iowa, !
April II, 1870.
Dear Courier An article writ
ten by tho undersigned which ap.
peared in tho COURIER some time
since, might have given rise to
the subject Of Dancing" which has
boon so lengtbily argued upoh by
the Dahlonega and Kirkville CORES.
pondents. The "Kick" from Kirkville
must have come among the good
people Of that place this season. At
the time when we pitched our tent
in that little village OF Kirkvillo,
there was no kicking bosses, (namely
an ass) kept in that place.
Inreview Of "Exits" letter, he failed
to see some importants points, and
kicked at others. We will not be go
tedious as to make many comments
on "Kick's" letter.
We will notice few evils which
originate from dancing, and will also
notice every good quality which we
discover. "Kick" argues up dancing
to be q healthy exercise and is
willing to take DR.. 8. s. Fitch, as q
man Of his counsel, relying but worry
little on bis own Judgment, as to the
health of the exercise. l admit that
exercise Is beneficial to the general
constitution; but as exit" says
exercise can be had in q far more
profitable manner. l have always
found manual labor very healthy OK
ercise, and also strengthening to the
body it also clears and purifies the
intellectual propensities.
But the way dancing is carried on
at the present, is of fearful injury to
the general health.
In speaking of labor as more profit
able and healthy exercise, I speak
from experience, having served the
most part OF a quarter Of a century,
in the very hardest of labor, such
as clearing up brush lands, making
rails and fence.
admit that the scriptures speak
Of dancing and praising God. When
King David was seen by "Michael''
through the window, leaping and
dancing, praising God he was not
mingled with wicked and worldly
minded, profane company. Ho was
alone in the praise of God, praising
Him with his right mind and
strength.
This is the kind of dancing which b
is acceptable and we'll pleasing in the
sight Of GOD. This is the kind of
dancing which we often see in the
sanctuary of the Lord, when the
blessing which is spoken of by
Malachi, is showered down. Malachi
III, and 10th verse.
Miriam, as spoken Of by "Kick,"
took q timbrel in her hand, and also
the women that joined with her,
thanking, and praising God with
music, and dancing before the Lord,
in consequence of the great triumph
over the enemy, by the hand of God.
"kick" attempts ojustify dancing,
by referring to the great Lincoln, the
Martyr. Was Lincoln's heart more
pure than King David's? who was
said to be man after Gods own
heart. What did David do at one
time when he displeased the Lord
Did he commit a less crime than did
Judge Flint, of Ottumwa? If you
please read tho XII chapter Of I'd
Samuel. David was an upright, and
a Cody man, yet this thing displeas
cd the Lord.
The fruits of the dancing of the
present age is fearful, leading thous,
ands ofsou]s to everlasting woe.
Nine-tenths of tho convicts of
State prisons, are dancers; nine.
tenths of the prostitute women can
trace their downfall directly to the
ballroom: nine .tenths Of the namelcss
children born can have their origin
traced directly to the ballroom.
Dancing of the present age is q
fearful waste o: time, is also waste
OF means, also of bodily strength and
nights sweet repose;i is a direct
road to idleness and poverty. Broth
rem and friends, if you will dance,
dance, dance, as did David, in the
praise OF God. A. w. S.