The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-08-25
"If 1 Join the Church, May
/ Dance

" If join the church, have you any
objection to my dancing?" Such was
the question of Mary W., addressed
to her pastor as he was speaking to her
about her making a public profession
of religion. She was about eighteen
years of age, of high social standing,
intelligent, cultivated, thoroughly a
lady in feeling and manner, and sur
rounded by all that makes life attract
i've and pleasant. Having been hope
fully converted, after much thought
and prayer she had decided to unite
with the church of which Mr.. A. was
the pastor. But before so doing she
asked him, in the conversation alluded
to, " If | join the church, Mr.. A., have
you any objection to my dancing? / am
very fond of it, and feel very unwilling
to give it up. What do you think of it?"
81 will answer your question by
another" said her pastor " Suppose
there was large and fashionable party
or public ball in town, and you were
invited to it. And suppose you had
accepted the invitation, and that, going
at rather late hour, as you entered the
room you found all engaged in the
dance, and that you saw me, your pas
tor, taking part in it and leading it,
what would you Think" A look of sur
prise, almost of establishment, passed
over her face, as she frankly said: 81
should think it very strange and greatly
inconsistent" Well" replied Mr..
A., " if dancing is right and good
thing, why should not l enjoy it as well
as you? And if in its influence and
tendencies it is wrong and evil, why
should you engage in it or wish it more
than l? A minister is but good man
trying to do good to men. And there
are not two standards, one for him and
another for the members of his church;
not two rules of Christian living, one
for you and another for him. If he is
to be spiritual, and set holy example
and to come out from the world and be
separate and shun worldly amusements,
why are not you? And if such amuse-
ments are right and proper for you as a
follower of the Savior, why are they
not for him? And why should you or
any member of the church wish to be
or do what you would not like to see
him be or do?" She thought a moment
seriously, and then said: 1t is plain
to me now. / will never dance again"
And she never did. Uniting with the
church by public confession of her
faith in Christ, she lived, and after
some years died, an exemplary, faith
full, spiritual Christian, help to her
pastor in every good word and work,
and bright example to all who knew
her. With this brief narrative in view,
three thoughts are suggested for serious
and prayerful consideration: Cd AS to
all worldly amusements, if you have
the least doubt as to your conduct-if
there is the least conflict between in
clination and duty-go in prayer to the
Savior and ask him what you ought to
do, and then act as you believe he
would approve if he were present with
you. (2) If there is the least doubt, is
it not best to err on the safe side, and
rather keep too far from the world than
to go too near to it? (3) Is it not right
for you in this, as in all things, to take
such course that, if all were to initiate
your example, it would make the church
a holy and spiritual and useful church,
and give you, personally, the highest
and best influence as devoted and
faithful hristian?-,Selected.