Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-10-03
THE DANCE OF DEATH
DR.. TALMAGE FINDS A WARMING IA
THE DAUGHTER OF HERopIAs

Dancing Might Not BE Sinful Tn g..
Cases, but In All Ages It Has Been A.
ISOLATED With the Lower Forms OF nj.
sipation.
BROOKLYN, Sept 30. Rev. Dr. Tai
mage, who is still absent ON his ronnl
the world tour, has selected as the spb
Joct OF today's sermon through tbe
press The Quick Feet, " the text chosen
being Matthew xiv, 8, "When Herod's s
birthday was kept, the daughter of He.
rodlas danced before them and pleased
Herod." i''0''70''
lt.ls the anniversary of Herod's birth.
day. The palace is lighted. The biph.
ways leading thereto are all ablaze with
the pomp of invited guests. Lords, cap.
talns, merchant princes the mighty
men OF the land, are coming to mingle
III the festivities. The table is snread
with all the luxuries that royal purvey-
ors can gather. The guest, white robed
and anointed and perfumed, come in and
sit at the table Musicl The tests evoke
roars of laughter. Riddles are propound-
ed. Repartee is INDUCED. Toasts are
drunk The brain is befogged The wit
rolls on into uproar and blasphemy.
They are not satisfied yet Turn ON
more light. Pour out more wine. Mu-
sic. Sound all the trumpets. Clear the
floor for dancel Bring in Salome, the
beautiful and accomplished princess.
The door opens, and in bounds the dan
Ger. The lords are enchanted.
Stand back and make room for the
brilliant gyrations! These men never
saw such poetry of motion" Their
soul whirls in the reel and bounds with
the bounding feet. Herod forgets crown
and throne and everything but the fas
cinations of Salome, All the magnifi-
cence of his realm is as nothing now
compared with the splendor that whirls |
OH tiptoe before him. His body sways |
from side to side, corresponding with |
the motions of the enchantress. His |
soul is thrilled with the pulsations of |
the feet and bewitched with the taking |
posturos and attitudes more and more |
After awhile he sits in en-
silence looking at the flashing,
leaping, bounding beauty, and as the
dance closes and the tinkling cymbals
cease to clap and the thunders of ap-
plause that shook the palace begin to
abate the enchanted monarch swears to
the prinoely performer, Whatsoever
thou shalt ask of me will give it thee, to
the halfof my kingdom. Now, therewas
in prison at that time q minister of the
gospel Of the name of John the Baptist,
and he had been making a great deal of
trouble by preaching some very plain
and honest sermons He had denounced
the sins Of the king and brought down
upon him the wrath of the females of
the royal household. At the instigation
Of her mother Salome takes advantage
Of the eXtravagant promise of the king
and says, Bring me the head of John
The Baptist on dinner plate.
The Head of John.
Hark to the sound of feet outside the
door and the clatter of swords! The ex-
ecutioners are returning from their aw-
ful errand. Open the door! They enter,
and they present the platter to Salome.
What is on this platter? A new glass
If wine to continue the uproarious mer-
'iment? No. Something redder and
CHASTITY, bleeding head of
John the Baptist, the death glare still
n the eye, the locks dabbled with the
gore, the features still distressed with
he last agony.
This woman, who had whirled so
gracefully in the dance, bends over the
wful burden without a shudder. She
,loats over the blood and with as much
Indifference as waiting maid might
AXE tray of empty glassware out of
he room aftor an entertainment Salome
aries the discovered head of John the
Baptist, while all the banqueters shout 6
With laughter and think it good joke y
hat in so easy and quick way they
ave got rid Of an earnest and outspo-
en minister of the gospel.
You will all admit, whatever you
mink of that style of amusement and =
that from many cicrles 1t has
rowded out all intelligent conversa-
on. You will also admit that it has I
lade the condition of those who do
ot dance either because they do not
now how or because they have not the Z
ealth to endure it or because through
onscientious scruples they must decline
he exercise very uncomfortable. You
will also admit, all Of you, that it has
assed in many cases from an amuse-
nent to a dissipation, and You are east
v able to understand the bewilderment
f the educated Chinaman, who, stand
ng in the brilliant circle where there
vas dancing going on four or five hours
nd the guests seemed exhausted, turn
d to the proprietor of the house and
aid, "Why don't You allow your SER
ANTS TO DO this for, your"
The Abomlnable Round Dance.
You are also willing to admit, what
,ver be your idea in regard to the
am speaking of, and what.
,yer be your idea of the old fashioned
Iquare dance, and Of many Of the pro-
romps in which ! can see no
evil, the round dance is administrative
If evil and ought to be driven out OF
III respectable circles. am by natural
- a,,d ,aIfarpua theory On. ]