The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-06
THE SKATING RINK.
What Indiana Men and Ministers Think Of
Its influence Upon the Young.

The Western Advocate, of this week, has
almost q page devoted to opinions of leading
ministers and others upon the influence of
skating Kinks. Below win be found the express
gions of those from Indiana:
Rev. R. Anarus, D. D., franklin am sure
the rink is offensive to good taste, good morals
aud religion in the same respects as is the dance
The liability of the rink to evil results Is greater
shan that of the dance, inasmuch as its practices
are more constant, its excuses greater, ana lts
wociai cons0rtings moro miscellaneous.
Rev w. H. Grim, Observation-Disclosures has
no skating rink. One has been started two or
three times, | learn, but for want OF patron
age has failed each time within Few weeks
For some reason the craze has never struck the
people here. | am satisfied that the influence OF
the Kinks is debasing
Rev. S. b. Town, Crawsfordsville-T roller
skating Kinks Of our city have been conducted
in such an openly Objectionable manner from
the beginning that they have not drawn upon
all classes and in such degree as in other places
am not aware that they reach any large pro-
portion of the old or young people OF Christian
homes, or of Christian inclination. Their own
advertisements in the daily press are sufficient
to bar any SUCH One broken arm is the only
'healths damage know Of.
Rev J. e. Brant, Bloomngton-The roller
skating mania has prevailed in our city all VIM
Ter. and find that the parents aud children who
are infatuated with the rink care but little for
the church Rollerskating as an innocent
amusement has become dissipation with nine
ont of ten of those who attend the rink, and so
think it in the main demoralizng to growth In
grace and knowledge
Rev. E. Il. Dolph Greensburg-We had three
roller-skating Kinks in our town. While they
seriously affected the saloons, and defeated all
arrangements for public balls, they also affected
the attendance on church service during pro-
traeted meetings On one evening, at certain
- Tod fipp xyap
but fifty four present AT one.rink there were
700, and the other two were attended by what
their proprietors called fair crowd considering
the attractions of the first named.
f. s. Elder M. d., Secretary State Board or
Heath-My observation is that the skating rink
demoralizes business by absorbing the thoughts
and attention of young men and women, when
the loss of sleep and severe muscular exercise
unfit them for work. l have personal knowledge
of several cases of fracture Of bones and result
ing deformities, conclusion of the brain and
spine, and nervous and muscular prostratlon
following the severe exercise of skating rapidly
and continuously, and the dissipation resulting
is certainly not conducive to health. The 1nfiu-
ence of the rink upon the morals and religious
character of the neighborhood is certainly un-
favorable The promiscuous intercourse OF all
classes of people. the want of moral restrictions,
and other unavoidable features of the rink, are
certainly pernicious. The details of Opponents,
escapades, fagrantes delictus, etc., as given in
our secular papers in connection with the rink,
are ample proof Of the tendency.
Rev. John Poucher, New Albany-The roller
skating rink epidemic did rot strike this city
til some warning of the possible evils had been
given by press and pulpit, but sincerely believe
it has done great damage notwithstanding. l
was told by a leading city officer that on the
opening of the first establishment he overheard
a conversation between two young bloods, which
induced him to warn special friend against al
lowing his daughter to visit the place. Rink
poetry of a character approaching obscenity was
feature of the secular press for a time. Mas
querades prizes to ladies for the largest aprons,
to men for the largest neckties and to any for
the finest costumes; races between girls of
tender age; polo" games and other demoraliz-
ing attractions, have been prominently advertised
by the managers Two of these Kinks are op-
posite churches and more than religious
services have been interrupted by music, fire.
works and other confusion. Another immense
affair is opposite an important educational insti-
3ution and within fifty feet of Presbyterian
parsonage. If gross crimes are not committed
in consequence of this social dissipation, spend
thriftism, and frivolity countenanced as if
pleasure seeking were the controlling purpose of
life. It is almost needless to add that active
church workers, whose influence for good is I'M
mistakable, are not led away by the craze,
though it is suggested that some of the males
who patroniZe the Kinks have come from the
liquor saloons
q very large rink built for the purpose, and a
smaller one hired in the best season. One year
ago last winter the ''craze" was simply amazing
1t interfered more or less with all social and
church interests Parents went with their chill
dron and some. leaving tender babes at home,
would stay until ! o'clock in the morning and
even later. All classes mingled freely, while
he music stimulated the excited crowd as it
whirled through the heated room. Last winter
the excitement did not run so high.
Church people began to see what the
fruits of the rink were, and, Notwithstanding
the most persistent and attractive advertising,
often making specialties on the evening of church
work. yet the rink did not get the run it had the
year before. AS to its physical effects, [ would
say that the leading physicians of the city have
the rink, almost to a man. and some of them are
very outspoken and severe. We have many that
have been injured, and several deaths have
occurred which seem to be the results,
largely, of the rink AS to the moral effects,
it seems to me that if anyone will look
carefully into the rink habits the company,
and the results, they must say that it is
evil of the graver sort We made vigorous
effort with strong united church, loyal to
Methodism in spirit and methods of work, for
the conversion of souls, and while we met with
degree of success yet it was not in the rink cir
ele Not one soul was converted, to my knowl-
edge, which was of the rink going class We
not only failed to bring them to Christ but
failed to get them to attend meetings. Many
of the children of the church. with number of
of the rink craze" while the church was bowed
before God in earnest prayer for the salvation
of souls The best sentiment of this city is
against the rink, and that sentiment is growing.