Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-11-01
DANCING.
Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage Speaks
on the Above Subject.
A Thrilling Historical Scene Recalled-The
Eject of the Designations of Ball
Room Upon Men and Women-The
Masquerade Ball of Life.

Rev DR.. Talmage, who is still absent
on his round-the-world tour, selected
as the subject of his last sermon through
the press: "The Quick Feet" the text
chosen being Matthew, xiv. 8:
When Herod's birthday was kept the daugh-
ter Of Hsrodias danced before them, and pleased
Herod.
1t is the anniversary of Herod's birth
day. The place is lighted. The high
ways leading thereto are all ablaze
with the pomp of invited guests. Lords.
captains, merchants, princes, the mighty
men Of the land are coming to mingie
ia the festivities. The table is spread
with all the luxuries that royal pur-
veyors can gather The guests, white
ROBBED and anointed and perfumed,
come in and SIC at the table. Music.
The jests evoke roars Of laughter. Rid
dies are propounded. Repartee is in
dulged Toasts are drank. The brain
is befoggcd The wit rolls on into up
roar and blasphemy. They are not
satisfied yet Turn on more light.
Pour out more wine. Music. Sound
all the tlumpets. 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 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 fascination OF
Salome. All the magnifcence of his
realm is as nothing now compared with
the splendor that whirls on tiptoe be-
fore him. His body sways from side
TO side, corresponding with the motion
of the enchantress. His soul is thrilled
with the pulsations of the feet and be-
witehed with the taking postures and
attitudes more and more amazing. At
ter while he sits in exc hanted silence
looking at the flashing, leaping, bound
ing beauty. and as the dance closes and
the tinl1ling cymbals cease to clap and
the thunders of applause that shook
the palace begin to abate. the en-
chanted monarch swears to the prince
~ performer: whatsoever thou shalt
ask of me | viii give it thee, to the
half of my kingdom" Now, there was
in prison at the time minister of the
gospel by the name of John the Bap-
fist, and he had been making a great
deal of trouble by preaching some very
plain and honest sermons He had de-
nounced 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, Sa-
lone takes advantage of the extrava-
giant promise of the king and says;
Bring me the head of John the Bap-
list on a dinner piste.a
Hank to the sound of feet outside the
door and the clatter of swords. The ex-
ecutioners are returning from their
awful errand. Open the door. They en-
ter, and they present the pla alter to Sa-
lone, What is on this platter? A new
glass Of wine tocontinue the uproarious
merriment? No Something redder
andcostlier-the CHASTITY, bleeding head
Of John the Baptist, the death glare
still in the eve, the locks dabbed 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 burd en- without
shudder. She gloats over the blood and |
with as much Indifference as a waiting
maid might take tray of empty glass !
ware out of the room after an enter |
tainment. Salome carries the dissev-
cred head of John the Baptist, while |
all the banqueters shout with laughter |
and think it a good joke that in SO easy
and quick a way they have got rid Of |
an earnest and outspolSen 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
e.osed the scene of that day every pure
nature revolts. am not at this time
70 discuss the old question, is dancing
right or wrong: but am to discuss the
question does dancing take too much
place and occupy too much time in
modern society; and in my remarks
hope TO carry with me the earnest con
yiction of all thoughtful persons and /
believe / will
You will all admit, whatever you think
OF that style of amusement and exer-
else, that from many circles it has
crowded out all intelligent converse
ton. You viii also admit that il has
MADE the condition of those who do not
dance, either because they do not know
now, or because they have not the
health to endure it. or because through
conscientious scruples they must de
cline the exercise. very uncomfortable.
lon will also admit, all of you, that it
mas passed in many cases from an
amusement TO dissipation, and you are
e.As y able to understand the bewilder- !
meat Of the educated Chinaman, who.
sta ding in the brilliant circle where
there was dancing going on four or