Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-06-12
ROLLER SKATING.
A Chicago CIergyman's Views Upon
the Subject.

the subject
The largest audience ever assembled
within its walls was in attendance at last
evenings service at the Eighth Presbyte-
rian church," says the Chicago Herald.
Roller skates and skating Kinks was the
topic of the pastor, Rev. Thomas Edward
Green. The text was: "And they that
use this world, as not abusing it." After
brief introduction the reverend speaker
said: 1.-THE question of amusements, the
word by which we call the occupations
that divert the mind, and with it the
body, from the constant application of
labor and more weighty employment, is
not merely hYgienic question but a re-
ligious one as well, in that it has to do
with the proper development of certain
faculties and the satisfaction of certain
demands of life. 1t is not any more
trivial question, and one begotten by the
lower and more sinful part of life than is
the question of eating or drink
ing or sleeping. Its proper provision
and discipline is as much a duty and as
important, as is that of the other part
of life."
Coming down shortly to our attempts
at amusement Mr. Green said that "they
are of sort with a history of the race.
Differing in specific sort with varying
grades of culture, all amusement comes
under one of three heads-the dance,
games and recltations. The dance, a
generic term for all the range when mu-
sic and motion are the agencies en-
ployed, from the march of the kinder
garten to the dance of the savage, or the
newest creation of the parlor. Games,
taking their zest from competitive skill,
from leaping schooboys to racing steam.
ships; and representations, whether of
music, art or words, holding up glass
to history or nature or life. TO speak
of all of these would take book. am
after one of them-'roller skating'-a
form of IT, first sort, where rhythmic
motion is the charm, and grace and
swiftness the polish.
81 have been asked to speak of the
skating rink, and have led you thus up
to the consideration of it that you might
see in it, to begin with, not on the one
side sort of rhythmic paradise, nor on
the other, as a fanatical paper called it
recently, a crater of hell, and suggested
a warfare against the devil with dyna-
mite, but simply an attempt at amuse-
ment, lately come into vogue, and hence
much discussed. Some one wished the
other day it had been made an issue in
the late campaign, and the question, to
skate or not to skate decided by vote
of the people. have been asked score
of times to answer this question and give
my opinion of the skating rink. / have
been to see it, and as l can judge, there
are things to commend and things to
condemn.
"Now, don't listen to only one side of
this and then say l approved roller skating
or disapproved it, but listen to both
praise and blame; there is good deal
of both. These roller skates are COM
paratively new thing. So near as can
learn they were invented by one Plimp-
ton, of Paris, in 1920, and were pro-
tected so successfully by patents that'only
few we're in use until 1888, when the
patent expired. At once all over the
world manufactures were started and
Kinks sprang up, until to-day, if we may
judge by our own city, every town and
village almost has its rink more or less
pretentious, and thousands of men and
women and children have become ex-
pert skaters. | see in roller skating
many things to commend and praise.
"First-It is amusement, pure and
simple. There is no strain or mental
burden in it; there is no calculation or
requirement of memory or forethought;
there is no effort required save as one
chooses to enlist it. You may go fast or
slow, straight or crooked, as you please.
1t is amusement, purely.
"Second-There is in it admirable
physical exercise. 1t calls into requis-
ition every muscle and joint of the body.
1t is boating without the risk of spill !;
a pond without any danger of frozen
ears or wet feet. 1t quickens the circu-
lation. expands the chest, strengthens
the limbs, gives color to the cheek and
sparkle to the eye. 1t is the best physi-
cal exercise have ever seen, if it be
used and not abused.
"Third-It breeds grace and ease of
movement. 1t is like any other rhythmic,
graceful motion moving to music. 1t cul-
tivates gracefulness and elegance of
dOub W bllG DGduIy anu bnC
symmetry of life. And this is part of
the true ideal of life. Look at the Apollo
Belvidere. Can you fancy such figure,
shutting along, coming down this aisle,
stepping with heels first, making noise
enough for Cardiff giant, and SLOUGH
ing into seat like a half-drunken
brawler9 Don't you think it adds to
the beauty and charm of young lady if
she walks with straight and erect
carriage and with elastic step, rather
than shuttle along bent and awkward
Beauty and grace are Gods gifts, and
they are worth taking care of, and what
ever adds to them and develops them is
praiseworthy to that extent.
''H rink owners" concluded the
preacher, twill have wide door with a
quick, steep step to the ground, and
enough regard for morality to use il
every time any man transgresses the pro-
priety that has as much authority there
as in the aisles of this church soon
enough will this curse find a check. But
not only in skating Kinks but every
where let us have reform for purity
and honor. These two things then:
want you to skate swiftly, gracefully,
joyfully, if you stop in time and shun
the touch and the word that shall com