Smyrna times., 1886-05-19
" If 1 Join the Church, May
Dance ?"
"IfI Join the Churc5. have Won

If join the Church. have you any
objection to my dancing?"
Such was the question Of Mary w
addressed to her pastor rs he was
speaking to her about her making a
public profession of religion. She was
about eighteen years Of age, of high So
clal standing, intelligent, cultivated.
thoroughly lady in feeling and man
ner, and surrounded by AL that makes
life attractive and pleasant.
Having been hopefully 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. "IfI ioin the
church, Mr.. A., have you any obiec-
ton to my dancing? l am very fond
oft, and feel very unwilling to give it
up. What do you think of it ?"
Il will answer your question by
another" said her pastor. Suppose
there was a 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 wOulG you think? ?n
n look of surprise, almost of aston
ishment, passed over her face, as she
said: should think it very strange
and greatly inconsistent"
Well, ," replied Mr.. A., "if dancing
is right and a 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 en-
gage in it or wish it more than /? A
minister is but a 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 liv-
ing, one for you and another for him.
Ii 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 amnsements are
right and proper for you as a follower
OF the Saviour, 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 not like to see
him be or do?"
She thought moment seriously, and
then said: 1" 1t is plain to me now
l will never dance again" And she
never did.
Uniting with the church by a public
confession of her faith in Christ, SHE
lived, and after some years died. al
exemplary, faithful, spiritual Christian
a help to her pastor in every gooC
word and work, and bright exampl,
to all who knew her.
With this brief narrative in view
three thoughts are suggested for ser
iOus and prayerful consideration
l. As to all worldly amusements, il
you have the least doubt as to yOul
cOnduct-if there is the least conflict
between inclination and duty-gO il
prayer to the Saviour, and ask hin
what you ought to do, and then act a!
you believe he would approve if ht
were present with you.
2. If there is the least doubt, is it no
best to err on the safe side, and rather
Keep too far from the world than Il
so too near to it?
8. Is it not right for you, in this, a
in all things, to take such a cours,
that, if all were to initiate your exam
pie, it would make the church hOl,
and spiritual and useful church, anC
give you, personally, the highest an,
best influence as a devoted and faithful
Christian ?-Seletced.