The Russellville Democrat., 1885-05-14
PUBLIC ADJUSTMENTS.
A WOman's Thoughts on the Subject-Dr. Snyder In-
 dOrSed.


 To the Editor of the Globe Democrat:
 PENNINGTON, Mo, April 17.--l have read with interest Dr. Snyders lecture on amusements, and the ans wers pro and con of the reverend Dr. Hall and Dr. Snyder. To me it seems that the position of Dr. Snyder is the more rational che. agree with Dr. Hail that we were not created for "fuD," for life at best is but serious matter, and our lives are what we and circumstances together make them. Yet there is a craving for amusement of some kind, a change from the daily monotony of life Some find it Tn one way, some in another, and every pleasure and good thing in this world is proper until it is run into an excess. On the boards ot the theater one may find keen enjoyment and pleasure that will finger long in the memory. You are elevated when you see q great tragedy of the immortal Shak speare, or bright comedy with liv- ing scenes. There is often moral running through little play that bears good fruit. 1 know of case where husband and wife were gradually drifting apart who were reconciled after seeing the tender lit tie drama of Hazel Kirke. There were words spoken that stuck deep into the hearts of the listeners.
 Then the dance, which Dr. Hall so vividly describes, comes next in be ing prescribed. l cannot imagine hew woman could give such testi- mony against herself. Her moral nature must have been gross and de prayed. Her case was one in a mil hon. There is nothing in the dance that should excite a sinful passion in any well-regulated or we'll bal anced moral mind. The idea of banishing the dance if applied to household treasures would destroy all the countless works of art, statues and pictures when they dealt with the nude. There are many ladies who would not stand before a Venus or an Apollo with mixed company, but there are numbers of pure, re. fiued women who do it. It is not the fault of the statue, but the artistic sense has not been sufficiently cul. tured to see only art instead of the body. But because many feel that way, should all these gems be de- stroyed? Cultivate such purity of mind as to be above fleshly things.
 Card playing is another harmless amusement, which IS condemned be cause 1t crossed the morel line, which, however, is not the fault oi the cards. It is argued if one in. dulges in a game of euchre or whist at home the passion will grow, and games for money will be indulged in. If the testimony of the majority of gamblers could be taken, 1 war rant yon that they would say that in their boy hood 8 card was forbid den thing in thelr house, and they learned to play secretly and away from home. Stolen sweets were good and the appetite increased.
 All these things may grow into excesses, but what is there in this broad earth that cannot cross the golden mean?" It is good to go to church. That no enc will deny. But did not even this good thing be. come an excess when Mir. Harrison was In the clty2 He preached for ten or eleven weeks and kept the religious excitement up to the boil ing point. Was there not q reac tion? Was it 2 good thing to be out ot bed for seventy nights until II or l2 o'clock Yet there were hun. dreds who did it, and to this day they feel the effects of it. It was not even good for the cause of relig ion, for the greater part of the mot Icy crowd vent from curiosity and to make mockery of sacred things. This is but an example.
 People heed amusement, and, most