The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-25

tionable, but to the category of acts Der
Sc sinful, and the Christian in dancino
does not stand on debatable land. nor
near the perilous edge of Christ's king
dom. He is for the time being in Satans
territory, and all this cry about entrap-
ping the consciences of our members" and
Popish DEGREES" and Christian liberty.
is out of place, and the claim to dance is
not liberty but license. Freedom of con-,
science is the noble heritage of every
Christian, and we cannot suppress the
thought that many are led by senti-
ment OF attachment to this great princi-
pie into frantic opposition to disciplining
dancing under the delusion that a ruth
less assault has been made upon their
cherished birthright.
4. Is, then, the tendency of dancing
evil? We reply yes
o. The great body of Gods people be-
lieve this. There is consensus of all
ages and all denominations against this
amusement, and this agreement is the re-
suit OF wide induction and an observa
ton of facts extending through centuries.
Ii any one doubts the existence of this
agreement, let him read the evidence
produced by DIR. Dabney in the ApriI
number of the Southern Presbyterian Re
0'ea0 But does the reader complain that
when he asks on this point for Thus
saith the Lord, we put him off with the
opinions of fallible men We reply that
this testimony is admissible evidence Of
what the Scriptures teach on this subject.
The convictions of the Church are based
on the word of God, as that word is in
terpreted by it under the guidance of the
Spirit. What, therefore, the great BODY
of Gods people everywhere and in all
ages believe to be sinful, we may reason
ably set down as sinful. The maxim,
" Quod senper, Q,1od Unique, Qatod a6
omnibus is good here
(2.) The evil tendency of dancing is not
an open question for us. Our Assembly
has again and again borne its testimony
against it, and declared it evil conformity
to the world, in direct opposition to the
teachings of Scripture and of our stand
ards, and an Offence according to our
Book OF Discipline. "If the practice of
the dance in mixed assemblies be not con-
forming to the world, it is difficult to name
any offence against the injunctions of the
Apostles, says our Assembly. And this
testimony was reafirmed so late as last
May. If any question then should be
regarded as adjudicated, this of the evil
tendency and sin of all forms of dancing
ought to be so considered But
80 We may put in the witness-box even
those who cry out against our view DR..
Adger, through an elaborate article, labors
to prove that simple dancing. round or
square, is not in itself sinful, p" and vet be-
fore he closes, his common sense and ro-
bust piety, repelling against his specula-
i've opinions, breaks forth thus: LET our
Assemblies utter their voice, if needful.
from year to year, and let Synods and
Presbyteries take up the testimony, and
let all these bodies speak. 1t may be
fairly said that there has been no speak
ing adequately yet. Let all the Church
courts, If it be necessary, thunder against
the evil In question, and let the pulpit
thunder also. We have done NOTHING
yet. But if dancing, whether round or
square, is per Sc Indifferent, pray what is
the relevancy of all this ado? Where is
there place for this thunder? Thunder
against whom, against what? Unques-
toned sins are too fearfully rife for our
preachers to be laundering against acts
indifferent or questionable or Assem-
blles and Synods engaging in the quixotic
adventure of running tilt against moon
shine. This is no time for wasting ammu-
milton upon imagined enemies We had
better keep our powder dry and reserve
our fire until we see the whites of their
eyes. 1t is happy thing for religion and
the Church that the Christians love for
the Redeemer is often more influential
with him than the conclusions of his
speculative understanding, and that with
a pardonable inconsistency he condemns
IN the concrete what he approves in the
abstract
(4) The next questionin order would be.
Has the Assembly power by deliver
ance In thesi, to uuthorttotiyeZu declare
dancing a sin according to the word of
God and our standards? This question
has been so recently, and, as we think.
unanswerably argued in the affirmative
by " Marc y in the CentraI that we pass
1t by with an emphatic yes, and the as
sertlon of the opinion that it is the duty
OF the courts having original Jurisdiction
to accept and apply these deliverances as
law. But
co. What kind of discipline should be
employed The answer to this question
each court having original jurisdiction