The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-20
DISSIPATION OF THE DANCE.
The Wages Of Blood in which Salome
Was Paid by Wicked King Herod.
Dancing by Modern Society, and Some
of the Evils that Result.
ecial to the indianapolis Journal.

BROOKLYN, April 19.-Dr Talmage is now
preaching at the Brooklyn Tabernacle brief
series of Sabbath morning sermons on ''Recrea-
tions, Good and Bad" His subject this morn
ing was "Does dancing occupy too much place
in modern society," He expounded the third
chapter of Ecclesastes, setting forth that there
is time to weep and time to laugh, and that
smile may be as sacred as tear. The openins
hymn was: -
He leadeth me- oh, blessed thought!
Words with heavenly comfort fraughk"
The text of the sermon was from Matthew
xiv. 6: when Herod's birthday was kept, the
daughter of Herodias danced before them and
pleased Herod." Following is the sermon in full:
1t is the anniversary of Herod's birthday The
palace is lighted. The highways leading thereto
are ablaze with the pomp of invited guests.
Lords captains. merchant princes and the
mightest men of the realm are on the way to
mingle in the festivities. The tables are filed
with all the luxures that the royal purveyors
can gather-spiced wines, and fruits, and rare
meats. The guests, white-robcd, anointed and
perfumed, take their places. Music! The jests
evoke roars of laughter Riddles are PROFOUND
ed. Repartees INDUCED. Toasts drunk. The
brain befogged Wit gives place to uproar and
blasphemy. And yet they are not satisfied
Turn on more light Give us more music
Sound the trumpet Clear the floor for the
dance. Bring in Salome, the graceful and ac-
complshed princess
The doors ere opened, and in bounds the dane
er. Stand back, and give plenty of room
for the gyrations. The lords are enchanted.
They never saw such poetry of motion. Their
souls whirl in the reel, and bound with the
bounding feet Herod forgets crown and throne
everything but the destinations of Salome
The magnifcence of his realm is as nothing COM
pared with that which now whirls before him on
tip-toe His heart is in transport with Salome,
as her arms are now tossed in the air, and now
placed akimbo. He sways with every motion of
the enchantress. He thrills with the q lick prl-
sations of her feet and is bewitched with the
posturing and attitudes that he never saw be-
fore, in moment exchanged for others just as
amazing. He sits in silence before the whirling,
bounding leaping, flashing wonder. And when
the dance stops, and the tinkling cymbals pause,
and the long, loud plaudits that shook the pal
ace with their thunders had abated, the en-
tranced monarch swears unto the princely per-
fermer: Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me
will give it to thee, to the half of my kingdom"
Now, there was in prison minister by the
name of John the Baptist, who had made much
trouble by his honest preaching. He had de-
nounced the sins of the king and had brought down
upon himself the wrath of the females in the
royal family. AT the instigation of her mother,
Salome takes advantage of the Kings extrava-
CANT promise, and demands the head of John the
Baptist on dinner plate. There is a sound of
heavy feet and the clatter of swords outside Of
the palace. Swing back the door. The execu-
TONERS are returning from their awful errand
They hand platter to Salome. What is on that
platter9 A new tankard of wine to rekindle the
mirth Of the lords9 MOI 1t is redder than wine,
and costlier. 1t is the CHASTITY, bleeding head Of
John the Baptist. Its locks dabbled in gore.
It's eyes set in the death stare. The distress of
the last agony in the features. That fascinating
form that just now swayed so gracefully in the
Dance bends over the horrid burden without
shudder. She gloats over the blood;
and just as the maid of your
household goes, bearing out on tray the empty
glasses of the evenings entertainment, so she
that good man. while all the banqueters shouted.
and thought it grand joke that in such brief
and easy way they had freed themselves from
such plainspoken, troublesome minister.
What could be more innocent than birthday
festivall All the kings from the time of Pharoah
had celebrated such days; and why not Herodi
1t was right that the palace should be lighted,
and that the cymbals should clap, and that the
royal guests should 60 to a banquet; Sut before
the rioting and wassail that closed the scene Of
that day every pure nature revolts.
DANCING OCCUPIES TOO LARGE PLACE.
am not going at this time to discuss the old
question: Is dancing right or wrongi But does
dancing occupy too much place in modern society9
and in my remarks hope to carry with me the
conviction of all thoughtful people. Whatever
you may think of the amusement you must
admit that from some circles it has crowded out
all opportunity for intelligent conversation aud
made the condition of those who do
not dance, either because they do not know
how or are not in sufficient health TO endure
it, or because they must conscientiously deS
cline, very uncomfortable You must admit Also
that with many il has ceased to be a recreation
and become a dissipation With many it has be.
come such an over.fatigue that YOU can under.
stand the bewildermens of an educated China
mar, who, standing in brilliant house where
for many hours the dance had been going on
asked the wealthy proprietor, why do you
not lot your servants do that for your Further
more, 1t will be admitted by all reasonable pec-
pie that, whatever they may think of the olda
fashioned square dance and many of tho pro-
cessional romps, in which can see no evil, the
round dance is administrative Of harm. and de-
serves to DO hurled out of respectable circles
am by natural temperament and religious theory
utterly opposed TO the position Of those who are
Mortified at every demonstration of mirth and
playfulness in social life, and who seem to think
that everything decent and immoral depends
upon the style in which people carry their feet