The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-26
SIXTY SINNERS.
Presbyterian Church Members Suspended
for Dancing.
CHICAGO Times.


The Pigeon Creek Presbyterian church
edifce stands upon Washington pike, in Not
tingham township, about ten miles from
Monongahela City, Pa. 1t is one Of the old
est established congregations of that denomi-
nation In western Pennsylvania, as 1t was
planted by that pioneer Of Presbyterianism,
Rev. DR.. McWillisR, The membership
numbers about two hundred, composed prin-
families. For years past the shepherd of
this flock has been sorely grieved by the fact
that despite the private protests Of the elders
aud the public denunciations hurled from
the pulpit against the sin Of dancing. the
younger members and many Of the married
ones would get up social parties and indulge
In quadrilles, with an occasional round
dance thrown in by way of variety. The
Rev. Mr.. Sloan. who for twenty years minis
tered to this congregation, was often sorely
vexed by this besetting sin of his people,
and on different occasions he had to "ses-
sion" the offenders, which punishment, how
ever, did not seem to work the desired re-
form.
The pastor now In charge of this congre-
CATION Is the Rev. John Marquis, who, since
the commencement of his labors In this part
Of the vinegar has done his best to suppress
this hoof. shaking element. Fer the last year
or two he has on several occasions preached
against 1t, besides calling upon the elders to
assist him in Kidding his charge of this
oifense against church rules. The culprits
had become so hardened against reproof,s see
ing that the ecclesiastical thunder was not
accompanied by lightning, and they contrived
to ''swing corners" "oalanoe ALL" "sachez
up the middle" regardless Of the pastoral
reproof and the oft-repeated threats of ex-
| communication.
At length the erring ones were brought to
an account. On Sunday, December S1st,
which was the communion season, the Rev.
Marquis in conducting the services, request
ed all who had danced IN the past year 70
stay away from the communion table. This
served to show how widespread had been the
| evil, for the back seats, few minutes later,
beld seventy.two members whose guilty
consciences would not allow tbem NJ to 60 for
ward and avail themselves Of church privil-
eges. Since that time twelve Of this number
have confessed thir fault and been taken
back into the bosom Of the church, but the
remaining sisty-two are still at defiance with
ecclesiastical authority. The affair has
caused much talk In church circles, as the
suspended number includes dau ghters Of
several elders and many members W no have
hitherto been active In furtherina the tenn
poral interests Of the church. In fact, 1t ID
said that the pastors daughter, very esti-
mable young lady, has not been proof against
the fascinaiions OF the "light fantastic" !" and
until within the past year she has been one
of the principal offenders, and by consider
| able odds the best dancer. 1t is also said
that by the pastors action, which suspended
all who danced during the year 1882, the
line was drawn with q view Of letting ont
the young lady. On the ether hand, the de-
tenders of broken church rales claim that it
was necessary to limit the time, as dancing
had been indulsed In previous to the coming
Of Mr.. Marquis. In the meantime the sus-
pended members have. until March to think
over the enormisy of their sin, and II they
repent and confess before that time they will
be reinstaled as mernbers Of the church, but
should they remain unrepentant until that
time they will be read out with shell, beck
| and CANDLE"