The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-03-04

it was one of the most natural attractions for
the young-as is more particularly evidenced
by the fact, Of which any one can convince
himself, by watching the young people when
gathered for any purpose-whether Tor mere
chat or for the more serious work Of prayer
Why you cant get half dozen together, no
matter what their cendents or artecedents,
and hold them together for halfor even quar-
ter Of an hour, but what you will hear the
patter Of feet, marking time to the words
spoken, in the absence Of more lively music
and if tune is introduced it is all the more so.
This is eyerybody's experience.
Again: we were prompted in this matter
by desire to redeem from the ball room and
the bar room an exercise which mo1e than
any other imparts grace and ease to the
movements of the body, and puts the finish
ing touches of true gentility upon all who
rightfully indulge therein The good dancer,
male or female, is neither round shouldered,
knockneed, bowlegged or parrot-toed, and we
would have all christians in this world, as
well as in the next, as perfect models Of the
perfect man and woman as it is possible for
them to attain to, because the model figure
is an adornment to society, and seldom shad-
ows the immoral soul. Being favorite as
well as healthful recreation we felt that it
should be INDUCED where it would do the
most good" and hence felt that we were
doing an excellent service when we suggested
that the dancing school and the dance should
be under proper auspices, and that no aus
pices could be more proper than those Of the
Y NJ. c. A Beside we thought in this we
would be killing two birds with one stone"
suggesting the physical benefit Of the young
and an attraction, or drawing card, beside
song and prayer as generally lndulged, and
discussing woman rights" are as cloudy
day to the noon day sun. If It needs all
these latter to gather the waywari ones in,
certainly dancing might be added with pro-
priety as being more attractive than either.
Again: We were prompted to the sug-
gestion by desire to advance real good.
Dancing not being wrong per Sc, as all, even
;.
see no reason why it should be tabooed when
it might be made productive of an incalcul-
able amount of social good, as pictured in a
more perfect neighborhood love. David, -
the Bible tells us, danced before the Lord
with all his might" aud we cannot learn
that David was any the worse for the ezer-
else, or that the Lord was displeased with
him because Of his doingit. While stepping
in measure to soothing music, people have
not time TO give thought to backbiting, tc
scandal, and to those other little accrimon
Z ious acts which breed family and neghbor
t hood quarrels and keep communities in any
: thing but a religious ferment. On the con
r trary, the happiness, the laughter, the pleas
D ant chat which are the national concomitant,
t of the dance, make all feel too good natureC
with each other to think Of anything bu
: peace If this is So and whose experienc,
t contradicts it, why not bring the art more il
0 vogue, why not make its frequent indulgenc,
: standing virtue, and where is the wrong o
( suggesting that this be done under such nob
, auspices as those Of the Y. NJ G.. A. w
s are honest in this, as we were in the frs
r suggestion, and we feel that permanence t
: the association, and the advancement o
: christian aims are secured the moment ou
i suggestion is adopted People will dance
b and if dancing is redeemed from the lat
: hours, the drunkenness and the debaucher
n which has so long been attendant upon it
o indulgence, it will become, at once a power
d full adjunct in keeping those Y. NJ. G. AS
who are want occasionally TO forget thei
s meetings" and go off-no one knows wher
O or with who-to "trip the light fantasti
!. toe" within the fold, aud draw in hosts be
il side who would never otherwise see the In
J. side Of the association rooms door. Go
: made our feet to patter, and our minds t
J. keep march with the measure of music-ca
|. it be wrong to cndeavor to make these gift
o work for his glory? We cannot for the lif
e Of us see how.
). Again: Amusement being an acknow
1t Iedged necessity for the holding the Y. NJ
l. G. A. together-else why essays and speech
es, and wonIan's rights discussions-wher
Ie can there possibly be wrong in employing
D. thoroughly favorite pastime, and one whic
It has this great advantage over all others,
,e that while it amuses, refreshes and strength
10 ems the mind does the same thing, precisel.
" if properly indulged, for the body All e
b say, OF speech, or discus sion would make
e dull evening indeed and one which wou
IS soon result in empty benches, and so woul
IS all dancing-but those employed, one inte
sperscd with the other, would make the tin
N and place SO pleasant that anxiety would
re on tip toe for the speedy return of the eve
h. ing of meeting.
h These ideas are worthy of thought, and v
as hope yet to see the day when our suggestion
OF are looked upon with something more ths
is disfavor, and We are rewarded for them wit
something more than the spiteful tergivers