Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-05-26
Girls, Don't Dance.

If there be any amusement which
is essentially worldly, it is the
dance Holy, consecrated, Christian
ministers, faithful, devoted
Christian workers, never dance.
This is the favorite amusement
of the world. And many and
many man and woman can trace
their downfall to1tbe day when.
they first INDUCED i'll the dance.
So, if you are not Christian, if
no vow restraints you, let the desire
to lie pure and true keep you from
this evil. If you could hear the
remarks made by some of the
yonng men who inviteyou to dance,
after it is over, you would
Indignantly refuse ever to lett
their arms encircle yon again.
But you ask, "What possible
harm can there be in private
dance at home, among ones own
kindred and dear friends?"
Let me answer by narrating an
Arabian fable. A miller was one
day startled by a camel's nose
thrust into the window of the
room where he was sleeping. ut
is very cold outside I On only zznlMdi! MhdRit
The nose was let in, then the neck,
and finally the whole body. Soon
the miller was extremely incon-
venienced by the presence of the
ungainly animal in a room not
large enough for both.
If you are inconvenienced," said
the camel, ''you may leave; as
for myself, 1 shall stay where I
am"
Dancing is just such a camel.
Young people only want to dance
at home, then at the house of a
friend, then at a 'sociable," then at
a soiree, then at a ball. At length
the whole camel has been admitted.
1t says, "Late hours, excitement
and fatigue are not conducive to
religion or moral life. Then these
must go, I will not" Even the
world recognizes the fact that a
life of pleasure and life of prayer
are incompatible. A young girl
in time of revival was urged by
her physician to become a CHRIS
tian-
elbow can l." was her answer,
"think of becoming pious when I
I shall debar myself the privilege
of attending balls!'
The doctor tried to convince hor
of her error; and solemnly rem.
inded her that she would yet see
the difference between a life of
and a life of prayer.
She listened attentively with tears,
but refused to give up her pleasures
and become a Christian. Soon
after, her physician was summoned
to attend her, dangerously i'll with
fever. He spoke to her of the
state of her soul.
I am too weak to talk" was her
answer; ''pray for me-"
She lay for hours with her eyes
partially closed, occasionally
uttering the most heart touching
and unearthly groans. Her speech
was unintelligible. The friends
we're SO panied by her terrible dis
tress that at last the doctor said /:
Mary, tell me what means these
1nearthly groans? What is the
matter, my dear child7 1t is in
your power to tell me: do, /
oeseech you.''
She opened her beautiful eyes,
raised her pale, thin hand, and
giving the doctor look which
made his soul ache, she said, with
I terrible intensity: Doctor, doc
;or, there is difference between a
life of amusement and a life of
prayer. Oh, it is hard to die with
out an interest in Christi"
Soon after, her earthly anguish
vas ended; she never spoke again.
AS you value your influence
lere, as you hope for a crown of
immortality hereafter, I beseech
you, girls, don't dance.-Christian
Vt Work.