Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-17
More Questions for ssA Congregational Pastor.,,

Pastor"
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
 An honest inquirer for the best way in re. gard to amusements wishes to hear further from "A Congregational Pastor" Granting, other things equal that dancing is no more sinful than jumping, how shall we make it 8 blessing and add to church membership by it's encouragement? If we have too long neglected and cast it out. how shall we begin a reformation? First step, of course, re- pentance then what Take dancing as it is, the character of many most fond,of it. the hours, the dress, influence on health and charity give Christian baptism, right hand of fellowship and receive to full com munion, feeling we have done something to benefit and renovate the world !? Or is another way better? Does not the whole thing need regeneration rather than recommendation I may not doubt the ssPastor'' feeling his solemn responsibility as a teacher has made this subject a prayerful study and therefore feel at liberty to ask him also to inquire whether it is not better to wait before giving it our sanction till the practice of dancing is stripped of everything whom we serve" if our profession is g truth i?
 NJ. Dancing and Other Innocent Amuse-
 
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL COURIER:
 The merry war goes on. Ministers from the pulpits, correspondents in the newspa- wildly against dancing. theater going and card playing. One would suppose from the tenor of the arguments advanced that we were all going to perdition as rapidly as pos sible, and that religion. Christian life and I1ar T0anaaod hU a frfptA- hAad a6 fend beside whom Apollyon himself would be considered insignificant. The old cry of s'wolf, when there is no wolf" resounds on every side. Men of straw are raised up and knocked down with reckless persisten cy. Old ideas, dressed in new garbs and utte ered with endless verbiage, are reiterated by " id religious enthusiasts. Methodist shout CTS and puritanic Presbyt yterians. once more united in mammoth love feast, vie with one an other in fighting the Don Qaixotian wind mills, and lash the air in search of unsub- stantial foes. They think their efforts holy. and truly s'they shall have: their reward" Yet we cannot but lament their nisdireeted zeal, and wish that they might be equally energetic in doing good and saving souls. In the meantime the prayer meetings are not becoming any moro crowded; crime is not diminishing, and, like house divided against itself, the Christian church totters and almost seems to fall. Whetted by the discussions, new advocates are rising up in favor of the very things hsrangued against, and even the family of distinguished Congregational clergyman in this city have been learning to play cards since this discus sion arose. Our theaters are more crowded than ever, and. at play given by Robson and Crane few evenings since, it is said that many had to go away because they were unable to find seats. Sensible Christians are thoroughIy disgusted, and sinners are saying on every side, ''If this is Christianity, good Lord deliver us.''
 Opportunities like those at present offered by the agitation of this subject are craved by some, because they give them chance to air their egotism in print and from the pulpit. But such agitation is likewise iamented by many who oppose dancing and similar amusements, for they feel that such agitation hurts the church and retards rather than helps Christian work Extreme grounds, not well taken, must always have this result. There always have been fanatics in the church and probably there always will be,