Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-22
DOWN ON THE DANCE.
Father COsgrOye Lays Down the Law
to His Young PariShiOnerS,
FORBIDDING MASKING TONIGHT.
Promise to Take Severe Measures Fails TO
Deter Some Dancers,
WHO EXPECT TROUBLE NEXT SUNDAY

Rev. Father Cosgrove, pastor of st.
James Catholic Church, West End, made
some startling statements yesterday from
the pulpit OF his church that will likely
cause tilt between him and the young men
and women of his congregation. He posi-
lively forbids them to engage IN round
dancing, and saws that unless they stop the
practice he will take steps to make them do
so. Some of his young parishloners believe
this is practical promise to read out the
names of those who continue the pleasure o f
round dancing and attend balls and picnics.
This is Father Cosgrove's first rebuke to
the congregation since he took charge of
the parish, and the matter was the general
subject for discussion among West Enders
Yesterday. Passing along the streets last
night. one could hear crowds of young men,
and in a number of instances, young women,
discussing the matter. A number Of them
who had made arrangements to attend
masquerade ball, to be given by the Silent
Circle" in Armory Hall this evening, said
they would 90 to the ball anyhow, and
neither Father Cosgrove nor anybody else
could stop them.
After the sermon Father Cosgrove told
the people lot to say anything about it out
side. He said it was intended for the peo-
pie who listened to it, and
NOT FOR THE PUBLIC
generally. ADIsPATCH reporter was en-
abled to get the sermon in the evening from
one of the parishioners of the church who
was present at the 7:S0 o'clock mass, when
it was delivered. Father Cosgrove said, in
substance:
Ihave noticed placards in the shop windows
and street cars, announcing that masquerade
bali is to be given tomorrow evening in GER
tain hall in the West End. 1 have also heard
that q number Of young men and women of the
congregation are going to attend the ball. L
wish to say to them, "Do not do il" The
church recognizes these masquerade balls to be
demoralizing to the character and morals of
everyone who attends them, and she distinctly
saws that it is mortal sin to do so. need not
dwell on the evils of masquerade balls and the
harmful influence they have, for you all know
them. You young men and women know that
II is wrong to 90 there, and the church forbids
it; vet you 60 anyhow. You know how vice
and wickedness walks around under the cloak
of mask; but you close your eyes to it.
As your pastor, 1 feel it.my bounden duty to
o
to desist. If you do not stop this practice of
running around to these masked balls, 1 GER
Jainly shall take steps to preventyou from con-
tlnuing it. The law of the church governing
these matters is laid down by the Council OF
Baltimore, who have ruled against the prac-
tice. The balls are wicked and the very hot
beds of vice and depravity. want it stopped
in this parish and will see that it is.
QUIT THE WHOLE THING.
I will not only have the attending of these
masquerade balls stopped, but you must quit
round dancing, too. There is too much of it
going on, and there is no necessity for it.
1 call upon you who are parents to see that
your children do not attend any of these mas
querades or public balls. I have warned you
that your children are on the downward path;
now see that you do your duty. DO not allow
them to go to the balls; and, parents of daugh-
tiers, see what kind of company your children
keen.
When a.crowd OF young people get together
NOWADAYS the first thing they do is to begin
clasping sach other in a round cance. There
is no reason why they should do so. There
are any number of other ways of spending the
evening. You can spend your evenings to
good advantage in allterary and dramatic way,
and, instead of harm, good will come from it.
hope none OF you will attend the ball adver-
tised for tomorrow evening. Try to give up
dancing altogether. 1t can easily be done.
At the and 1880 o'clock masses, Father
Cosgrove did notsay anything on the subject,
other than to warn his people not to mention
anything about the matter to outsiders.
This is the first time any of the priests in
this city has taken the matter up for a num-
Der Of years, and none so vigorously before.
A number OF those who intend going to the
ball tonight, in Armory Hall, said that
they would expect some developments next
Sunday, if Father Cosgrove found out they
had not followed his instructions.