Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-12-04

OrrERvILLE, Dec. Is, 1874.

Mr.. EDTTOR:-I notice in the BULLETIN
of Dec. nth, reference is made by you to
u letter from Blanche" and from this
letter, as q text, you offer some remarks.
Now, who this Blanche" is am not able
to say. but of course she heard the "orac-
ular utterances of the pastor" The SUI
perintendcnt of the Sheridan Sunday
School, at the time referred to, proposed
to several that sociables be held in their
houses, for the purpose of raising funds
for new Library. After some remarks
had been made, l was asked what thought
of the idea. As had been appealed to,
took the liberty to express myself on the
subject. This, / believe, had never done
before publicly, though had had.scveral
private talks.
Now, did not oppose young people
gathering together for profit and innocent
amusement, and l have often gathered
with young people on such cccasions;-
and believe, Mr.. Editor, can laugh just
as heartily and act just as friendly on
such occasions as is necessary. hugely
enjoy such gatherings, and wish we could
have many just such as l referred to
when was making those .'oracular tier
ances." What was opposing, was the
way sociables are usually conducted.
there made the remark that "a gathering
under the name 'Sociable' was usually
conducted on the plan of the regular bus
sing bee,' or kissing party. considered
it no better than a common dance" Here
the Superintendent spoke out, mot near
SO good" And when referred to these
gatherings in connection with donations,
he said "There had been some most
shameful proceedings"
Now, Mr.. Editor, our NJ. E. Discipline
expressly opposes and forbids attendance
on theaters, circuses, horse races, dancing
parties; and if, as is generally admitted
by those who attend all of those places of
amusement, the common kissing party is
no better, and even worse, therefore our
discipline in its spirit is opposed to such
parties. And in opposing such parties
when in connection with the church, !
am but carrying out the spirit and letter
of las we think) our most excellent disci-
pline. And ESPECIALLY ION the occasion
referred toy charged home upon the church
their responsibility for this state of things,
and said, while leading church members
would indulge in these foolish things, and
even lead off IN them, could not blame
the unconverted, and young and thought
less ones from following. OF course
these remarks apply only to those gather
ings in connection with the church, and
for which the church is responsible.
] well remember the time when I was
among the first in all parties and plays
but when ! was sixteen years of age, God
called me from life of sin to life Of
holiness. l was not disobedient to thu
Heavenly calling, and as result, ! wal
soundly converted to God. tried to re
tain this grace and at the same time m,
old ways, but it was failure, and not Ill
had resolved to give up these ways die
God shine again in my heart; and this ex
perience, have reason to believe, tallie
with the experience of hundreds of other
in this world And have lost anything
by giving up the pleasures Of sin? nay
verify; but as the poes sings:
I'm God have found retreat,
Where may securely abide.
o! what comfort it brings,
As my soul sweetly sings,
l am safe from all danger
While under his WINGS
Yours for the truth,