The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-11-15
WORLDLY AMUSEMENT.
Rev. Johnson Gives His Position on the
Dance Question.

The dancing school opened In this
place last Thursday night has called
forth considerable discussion on the
propriety Of dancing, and Rev. II. II.
johnson, pastor Of the Presbyterian
church, read the following from the
pulpit Of his church last Sunday even
Ing, which gives his position on dane
ing:
To all ,rho are interested in The ,celfow Of
our church and community.
The question Of the propriety Of GER
tain amusements is before us and that
of dancing in particular. As it is likely
to be settled incorrectly wish to speak
a kind word Of warning.
The Bible sets high standard for all
men, and IL is well known that no one
can reach 1t and indulge in demoraliz-
ing pleasures. The bad effects Of the
dance are well known, and no man can
| defend 10 unless he adopts standard
much lower than the Bible authorizes.
| VIII you do this? But let me state my
position: | am forever a friend to the
young people and their rights: am in
favor Of the most advanced progress in
social matters; believe that both old
and young need pleasure and recreation,
and that we people Of the church should
make provisions for these: am In favor
of increasing the pleasure Of the young
people rather than diminishing IL, and
so far am I from opposing their inter-
ests that | hereby declare myself the
opponent of that only which would in
jure them.
Now in order that my words may
have more authority let me read two
very short extracts from what the
Presbyterian church says about certain
amusements. tSee Minutes Of the
General Assembly, 1871
''If this world is TO be conquered for
Christ, his servants must perceive and
dislodge the enemy wherever found.
| They should not see evil where there IL
no evil, nor should they call that good
which is really evil, judged in itself
or by its fruits. Fortunately for the
church, the Master has said, by their
fruits ye shall know them"
The following resolutions are to the
point:
| /. THAT this General Assembly re-
aflirms the deliverances OF past Assem-
blies on the subject Of worldly amuse-
ments, calling attention to the excellent
summary OF Christian principles set
forth In the action Of the Assembly Of
| 1869 and the resolutions adopted by that
Assembly on the theater and opera
| New Digest, PIP. 500, 59l) Also to
the action of the New School Assembly
in 1869 on the opera, the dance, the
theater and card-playing' New Digest,
PIP. 5SS, 50O): and the action OF the Old
School Assembly OF 1850, interpreting
our standards, In answer TO an Overture
| from the Presbytery OF Cincinnati, to
the effect that social dances and private
theatricals are included under the head
OF dancing and stage plays mentioned
in the Larger Catechism amongst the
sins forbidden in the Seventh Com
mandment,' and declaring Church Ses-
sions fully competent to decide when
and and how far discipline should be
exercised New Digest, pp. $50. 587l."
2. 'This General Assembly uwould
affectionately call upon all the members
OF our church, to so regard their obliga-
tiOns to Christ, as to see to IL that they
take no part in amusements which they
cannot take in His name"
| These brief references show that the
Presbyterian church has always, and
does still take decided stand against
certain forms Of amusement now strug-
CLING for recognition in our town. I am
sorry that the impression is abroad
here that our church is Indifferent to
these amusements. II is not. n
dancing, card playing, theater GO
ing and wine drinking elevated and
improved mankind the church would
not say word, but the effect OF all
these has been the very reverse.
Dancers and card players never have
made strong, aggressive Christians, and
our church is not willing to run the
risk that they ever will. II you begin
to indulge in these things, then / pro-
phesy the usual result-that II you have
any spirituality 1t will soon begin to
decline; you will soon leave the good
work OF the church to other people; you
will forsake the prayer-meeeting; you
will forsak9 the Sunday school and be a
hindrance rather than a help to our
church.
or course you can say many good
things about these amusements, but
that will not make them safe any more
than the meal will make the poison safe
to the rat. All that is good in them
may be secured in many other ways and
without risk. Some one is sure to
imagine that these things never harmed
him, but l care not who he Is. there is
not soul in Reynoldsville that could
not and ought not be better, and he
would be better, il he discarded