The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-18

to come.
There is not one fountain OF pure pleas
ure, OF innocent enjoyment from which
our Savior has driven us. No, not one.
He leaves the gateway 10 commercial
and professional pursuits wide open 70 US
all. asking only that we avoid such Dusi-
ness engagements and callings as are SIN
full or evil in their tendency.
The great thoroughiares OF art, music,
science, literature. poetry, travel, explora-
ton, recreation-all have the iight OF his
life thrown upon them.
There is not one single source OF pure
and sinless pleasure known to me that
Christ has forbidden to these young peo-
ple-not one.
OF course He prohibits sin, wrong-doing
of every grade and character; but what
true man can end pleasure in sinr In
doing wrong? Are we to understand that
the only way the young people can ENJOY
this life is TO commit sin? Not ono OF my
hearers will claim that sinful practices
bring real or lasting pleasures.
The nature of sinful deeds is clearly re-
Elected in the ultimatum OF sin, which is
death. That which leads to death should
have in it no charm for pure, good man
or woman, young or old.
But my young friends will say: "Christ
forbds our dancing, and we love TO dance,
and do not think 1t wrong"
Surely you cannot think dancing is not
wrong ii Christ has forbidden It'll What
ever He prohibits is most certainly in some
sense wrong. But | am not willing you
shall charge upon Christ things OF which |
know Him to be entirely innocent Christ
has not prohibited dancing, nor has He de-
clared il to be sinful He has passed the
whole subject by in silence.
Dancing is mentioned several times in
the Old Testament and few times in the
New, and not so much rs the shadow OF
condemnation rests upon it.
To attempt TO prove the mere act OF
| dancing sin per SO would be TO attempt
the impossible. We might as well try to
prove foot-racing or jumping the rope for
recreation sinful. But VINO does not know
that there are times, places and surround
ing where it would DO wrong to dancel
And there may be certain kinds OF dances
that would be wrong at any time-under
any circumstances But such dances, UNI
der such circumstances rs lead to evil, and
are likely to lead others into sin, can hold
no pleasure for pure minded young lady
or young gentleman, whether they are in
the church or not
When we undertake 10 prove all dancing
at all times aud IN all places, and under all
circumstances sinful, and out Of harmony
with the teaching OF the Bible, we under
take what even our children know we can
not accomplish. Let us undertake only
what we may reasonably hope to do, aud
point out such acts rs are sinful In them
selves, and such as are made wrong by evil
surroundings.
The young man or young woman, when
made to see that-while dancing under
| certain conditions and associations may be
perfectly harmless, under other circum-
stan ,es may be very wrong and hurtiul-
that can find pleasure in dancing amidst
these Objectionable environments do not
belong 10 the class ! am addressing to-
night.
The lady or gentleman that finds pleas
ure in those things that may lead others
| into sin, and thus wreck n human soul,
has reached an alarming degree OF deprav-
| iiy.
In matters Of amusements and worldly
| pastime, Christ leaves Us TO our sanctiiied
manhood and womanhood. lie puts Ms
upon our honor.
llo tells us not TO put stumbling blocks
| in the path OF our fellows, and shun even
| AiitN WHICH iftAf Ailo hlilNhl AllNt VI fNlls
But he does not condemn even by inn
| plication all Amusement, all earthly pleas
urc. lie does not teach, either directly or
indirectly, that II Is the duty OF Ills dis
cipes to avoid everything that will pro-
woke a laugh. lie does not ask Us TO alb
stain from pleasures that are free from all
immoral faint. IL cannot be question VI
mcrrimcnt-oi laughier-oi pleasure. but
q question Of morality.
We spend much OF our time when our
children are young in irving 10 please
them, aud excite merriment. Parents de-
vote themselves, fins. 10 the pleasing task
Of teaching their children 10 laugh, and 10
the development OF a bright, cheerful,
humorous nature.
Millions OF dollars are expended an
nually IN the purchase Of toys aud play
things for our children that they may be
merry aud full Of fun and love OF childish
sports.
This Is the first sowing In the childish
heart Before one seed Of morality or Of
religion has found It's way Except by ma
turc) into the fertile field OF the little soul
Il Is sown all over with the productive
grain Of merry pleasure that are sure to
stick aud yield bounliful harvest, for the
soil Is by nature maryclously adapted 10
such growth.
These iirst impressions can only be up
rooted by violence.
Christ does not seek 90 undo this initial
work Of Christian parents. lie only de.
mands that, along with these the moral
aud religious nature shall be cultivated 10
give direction and proper impulses TO our
desire for amusement.
The love OF tho bright, the merry. the
cheerful, the humorous seems plant di-
vine, and there is nothing In tho Christian
religion 10 antagonzo IL.
When Christianity undertook ~ over
throw the cross into which a sensual Pa
ganism had plunged the world by the cs-
adjustment Of monastorics aud converts,
for both men and women, she only avoided
one extreme 10 plunge blndly into
another. quite rs dangerous. Paganism
| recognized no toul, no Immortality, and
aud passions OF the body exclusively.
by the Pagan world the soul was lefl un-
cared for, aud there was a wild, universal
rush after bodily Or ilcshly pleasure. Pal
aces were crowded with drunken rcyclry.
Triumphal marches, gladia,orial cxhibi.
tions aud the like were poured promiscu-
ousy into the cup Of pleasure. OF course
there were a few among the philosophers
who gave some little thought 10 the soul,
but ~ "a rule Il was not considered. In
her laudahlc efforts 10 correct these, the
church ran into The opposite extreme, aud
ignored the body IN toto, and devoted her
sell, with all her great powers. to the clo-
walton and salvation Of the soul
To accomplish this the body, with all