The Yale expositor., 1894-10-05


Talmage, who is still absent on his
round the world tour, has selected as
the subject of to-day sermon, through
the press: "rhe Quick Feet" the text
chosen being Matthew IA: vi: when
Herod's birthday was kept the daugh-
ter of Herodias danced before them,
and pleased Herod."
1t is the anniversary of Herod's
birthday. The palace is lighted The
highways leading thereto are all
ablaze with the pomp of invited
guests. Lords, captains, merchant
princes the mighty men of the land
are coming 10 mingle in the festivi-
ties. The table is spread with all the
luxuries that royal purveyors can
gather The guests, white robed and
anointed and perfumed, come in and
sit at the table. Musicl The jests
evoke roars of laughter. Riddles are
propounded. Repartee is INDUCED.
Toasts are drank. The brain is be-
logged. The wit rolls on into uproar
and blasphemy. They are not salts
fed yet Turn on more light. Pour
out more wine. Music! Sound all the
trumpets. Clear the floor for dance
Bring in Salome, the beautiful and
accomplished princess. The door
opens, and in bounds the dancer.
The lords are enchanted. Stand back
and make room for the brillcant gyra-
tions These men never saw such
poetry of mction." Their souls
whirl in the reel and bound with the
| ,V.Ii &c xxrV1
and throne and everything but the
destinations of Salome. All the mag
nifcence of his realm is as nothing
compared with the splendor that
whirls on tiptoe before him. His
body sways from side TO side, corre-
spending with the motions of the
enchantress. His soul is thrilled
with the pulsatons of the feet and
bewitched with the taking postures
and attitudes more and more amazing.
After " lille he sits in enchanted
silence looking at the flashing, leap
ing, 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 princely performer: "Whatso-
ever thou shalt ask of me ] will give
it thee, to the half of my kingdom.
Now there was in the prison at that
time minister of the gospel by the
name of John the Baptist and he had
been making a great deal of trouble
by preaching some very plain 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"
Hark TO the sound of feet outside
the door and the clatter of swords.
The eXecutioners are returning from
their awful errand Open the door.
They enter, and they present the plat
ter to Salome. What is on this
platter? A new glass of wine TO con-
tinue the uproarious merriment? No.
Something redder and costlier-the
ghastly, bleeding head of John the
Baptist, the death glare still in the eye,
the locks dabbled with the gore. the
features still distressed with the last
agony. This woman, who had whirled
so gracefully in the dance, bends over
the awful burden without a shudder.
She gloats over the blood, and with
as much Indifference as waiting
maid might take a tray of empty
glassware out of the room after an
entertainment, Salome carries the dis
severed head of John the Baptist.
while all the banqueters shout with
laughter and think it "a good joke that
in so easy and quick way they have
got rid of an earnest and outspoker
minister of the Gospel
Well, there is no harm in birthday
festival. All the kings from Pharaoh's
time had celebrated such occasions,
and why not Herod? No harm in
kindling the lights. No harm in
spreading the banquet No harm in
arousing music. But from the riot
and wassail that closed the scene oi
that day every pure nature revolts.
am not at this time to discuss the old
question is dancing right or wrong
but am to discuss the question, does
dancing take TOO much place anu OC
cupy too much time in modern society?
and in my remarks l hope to carry
with me the earnest conviction of all
thoughtful persons, and l believe
will
You will all admit whatever you
think of that style OF amusement and
exercise, that from many circles II
has crowded out all intelligent con
versation. You will also admit that
it has made the condition of those who
do not dance, either because they dc
not know how, or because they have
not the health to endure it, or because
, through conscientious scruples they
! decline the exercise, very uncomfort
, able. You will also admit, all of you
that it has passed in many cases from
an amusement TO dissipation, and
you are easily able 20 understand the
bewilderment of the educated China
man who, standing in the brilliant
circle where there was dancing going
-. f,,,v ~ Eve bOUre nI the ofe