The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-01-28
The Rollcr-Skating Rink Craze.

this epidemic, ana have seen in villages
and towns through which the writer has
passed the large buildings completed or in
process of erection tn I've devoted to roller.
skating. Complaints have from time to
time come to us of the demoralizing effects
upon the young in many communities.
We have said nothing, because many
would say that protest was simply one of
the Church's regular denunciations of the
sports of young people.
With promiscuous denunciations OF
amusemenls we have no sympathy. "A
merry heart doeth good like medicine"
saith the Bible. Amusement OF right
quantity and quality is essential to both
sexes and every age. Too much, even OF
good quality, like too much food, is an
evil; and very little OF wrong quality,
like poison or tainted food, may be a great
evil
Nothing at first sight seems more harm.
less than rollerskating but while we have
been waiting and postponing protest
against the evils manifest in connection
with these rinks, suct secular papers us
the New York Tribune and Sun have
come forward to call attention to the disss.
trous effects already preceived.
The Tribune gives the testimony Of a
physician in large country town, that the
excessive exercise, long hours, and expos.
ure to drafts and colds in these places, have
greatly increased debility among young
women, and laid the foundation of serious
diseases. The Sun has a long interview
with ono OF the chief promoters of the
business, in which an account is given OF
the indeicacy INDUCED by certain young
men under the cover Of teaching uninili
ated young girls how to skate. There are
other things as bad as these which have
been reported to us by discriminating eye.
witnesses. These We will name without
celebrating.
These Kinks have led TO a great increase
OF extravaganza among large classes ol
people who are not able to endure il
Useful entertainments, lectures, and every
thing Of the kind, cannot compete with
them Various kinds Of legitimate bust
ness are inlerfered with by the fact that
all the money In towns and villages Il
used up in nightly visits 10 these rlnks.
Many Of them have various side.show!
connected with them, and all sorts o
means are used to keep up the excitement
night after night.
Appointments between young men ant
young girls to meet at the rink are Of com
mon occurrence, and acquaintances arc
made without the supervision Of parents
and under circumstances that often budt
no good, but much harm.
The tendency is to continue until late
hours in the evening, breaking up HON,
habits and running risks of impaired
health
Opportunities for indiscretions in going
often The first steps toward vice, are greatly
multiplied.
Parents who have tried to confne thC
acquaintance of their children to wisely
selected circle, find oil limitations disre
garded, and a recklessness, which over
throws months Of training and anxious
care, stimulated.
The craze Is direct antagonist Of al
religious efforts, and a foe 10 genuin,
social life and literary pursuits among th,
young by absorbing their time ant
strength. A pastor whose church is within
three miles Of the City Hall informs u
that twelve young ladies' in his congrega
tion have lost all interest iu religion sine,
they became subjects Of this craze, ant
that several have formed associations yer,
grevious to their parents.
From different sources such testimon,
comes We lay it before our readers, de
ducing at this time only these conclusions
which we announce without hesitation
Young people who mean to be Christian
will do well to 60 but little, If they go n
all, to these skating rinks. Young womeI
moi Of the most robust health are unwis
II they go, either us spectators or perform
ers.
Parents who have any regard Tor ih'
associations of their children will do wei
TO accompany them on all occasions whel
they go to these places.
They are about the last places youpl
people who value saving money and lay
ing the foundations Tor future prosperil!
should frequent.
Members Of literary unions, young peo
ple's societies, and Young Mems Christian
Associations should resist all temptation
TO absent themselves from the regula
meetings Of these societies for sport o
this kind, aud Christians should neither b.
seen in those places themselves nor con
sent 10 their children appearing on tn
night Of the regular prayer meeting or 0
any meeting held for the promotion Of