St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-22

wheels or of balls of ivory, or of moving tC
music, but question of excess along any
line of amusement which may be Harmless:
| of itself. do not believe it sinful per st,
but like any other harmless amusement, il
can be made exceedingly harmful by excess
| should not place it alongside of the round
dances in prOmiscuous Assem- hages. Those
who indulge in it and kindred amusement:
| TO excess show lamentabe shallowness OF
culture. | do not know of any of my people
that are running wild over roller skating.
regard this roller skating business as II sort
of craze that has burst out all over the couu-
| try, and do not regard it as long lived for
that very reason"
Rev. VI. n. Gilbert, rector of Christ church,
had given no thought to the subject. He
noticed that there was some agitation upon
the matter, but believed it was confined to
other denominations than the Episcopal.
From what ne could learn roller skating was
not open TO the same objections as dancing,
for better hours were kept Upon all recrea-
tions his church took the attitude of indul-
gence without abuse, and he could see no
objection to the popular amusement ii con-
| fined within reasonable bounds. Should any
of the members of his congregation carry it
TO excess he should speak to them as he
would upon any other matter that was lead
ing them to neglect their religious duties.
The pastor of New Jerusalem church
(Swedenborgiau) knew nothing whatever
about the new craze, and therefore could
venture no opinion. In amusement matters
his church stood upon about the same ground
ba I.,tc & 81,
ticed by his flock, it was doubtless confined
to the younger members-the elder ones had
not the time. If an excessive case came
under his observation he could only advise
aud caution.
Rev. DR.. E. S. Thomas of St. Pau;'s E2is-
copal: Nothing has come under my notice
to indicate that roller skating will necessarily
have any effect in Withdrawing the attention
OF people from religious duties. OF course,
like any other pleasure, it may be carried to
excess. | do not see why the moral effect is
any worse than skating on the ice I'M
less unreasonably late hours are kept. 1 can't
see why people should make unsuitable ac-
quaintances at rink more than elsewhere
unless they chose so to do"
DR.. McLaren, pastor of the First Presby-
terrain church, on being consulted on this
subject, said he considered the amusement
or exercise Of roller skate Kinks harmless in
itself. As far as his church was concerned
the several Kinks of the city had not drawn
away any attendance from any of its meet
ings. Really roller or ice skating was
heaithful, exhiiarating and delightful sport if
not INDUCED in to excess. But as the
several Kinks in st. Paul were con-
Quoted he would not have a son or daughter
OF his put foot in any OF them, because they
were open 10 any one who was pleased to
pay 25 cents adlnittauce, making i'm
possible proper distinction Of class or
character therein. OF course the manage
m"nt could enforce certain rules as TO good
order aud behavior, but that did not remedy
the evil Of bringing the moral and respecta
bic into contact with the immoral and vic
ious. Tue uncnaste woman could
ply Der vocation here with her
fatal beauty and the young rake could
make too free acquaintance with the virtuous
girls whose society he could never enter else
where. His objection TO the Kinks as con-
Quoted was the same as he had to the public
ball and the evil in both was promiscuous
association. He did not even consider it
safe 10 attend theater and be amused by
Il
would not entertain at his home or associate
with. IL a corporation in this city would
build a SKATING rink and make
moral character one Of the perquisites To
membership and Une OF its rules the
closing of the place at 10 O'Clock in the even
ing the time for all respectable people who
can, to retire to rest), he would take stock
in it, and, for exercise, would 90 and skate
there himself Such rink would, further,
be a stimulus TO good character. OF course,
too i'm moderate amusement of this sort was
hurtful to the health, and many young girls
were injured by it. The boys, he had no.
ticed in his younger days, alter an hour or
two OF violent exercise OF this description,
would get tired aud desist, but, on the con-
trary, the girls seemed never TO know when
they had got enough OF it, were the last to
drop of, and then Oftentimes reluctantly.
MINNEAPoLIs MINISTER'S.
Rev. c. A. Van Anda, pastor Of the Frank
lin Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, is
decidedly radical in his opinions concerning
roller skating. II regard it as pernicious,
pathway to ruin, device Of the devil? said
the reverend gentleman to a GLOBE reporter.
This light frivolous amusement calls our
young men and women away from their
studies aud the realization Of the seriousness
OF life. IL takes them away from the
church. the prayer meeting and
the Sunday school. | have watched the in
fuence of the roller skating rink, aud do not
hesitate 10 denounce it as peruicious and de-
moraiiZing, although / wish | could sp.ak
differently for dislike to be saying mo- to
50 many kinds Of amusements aud yes 10
so few. The low and vicious at the promis-
euous rink gatherings mingle with our pure
and innocent children, aud the effect can
not be otherwise than harmful. | should OBJ |
ject TO my children going 10 a roller rink Just |
as / would 10 their INDUCING ia round dane |
ing at a ball. / regard the amusement "a |
having a tendency 10 Loosen the morals, and |
To yltiate and destroy the stamina of char |
acter. l AIN positive too that the exercise is |
decidedly injurious, especially to females" |
Rev. 4. F. Gates, Of the Central Baptist |
church, pronounced himself against Kinks !
"Under the present uses, they come under |
the head of dissipation and as such should |
be discouraged, he said. ANY amusement |
that comes in conflict with our meetings will !
OF course meet our disapprOoation, and this |
might BE- SAID Of the Kinks. As long as thex !
were Simply recreation, they might have !
been tolerated. but the time Is past To my
mind they are injurious alike 10 health and |
morals aud from the standpoint OF either are
open 10 rebuke."
Rev. j. +. Wagner, d. D., of the Centenary
VI. Z. church, said be was emphatcaly op-
posed 10 Kinks. 1.-The sentiment Of the !
workers Of my church is against roller skat- |
ing, and am heartily in accord with It. Not |
only do regard It as nernieious to the |
morals, but to toe health as we'll besides /