The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-10-03
DANCING.
Rev. 7. Dewitt Talmage Speaks
on the Above Subject.
A Thrilling Historical Scene Recalled-Tha
Eject Of the Designations Of a Ball
Room Upon Men and Women-The
Masquerade Ball of Life.

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 Herodias 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 mingle |
in the festivities. The table is spread
with all the luxuries that royal pur-
veyors can gather. The guests, white
robed and anointed and perfumed,
come in and sit 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 trumpets. Clear the floor for a
dance. Bring in Salome, the beautiful
and accomplished princess. The door
opens, and in bounds the dancer. The
lords are enchanted. Stand back ana
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-
witched with the taking postures and
attitudes more and more amazing. Af-
ter while he sits in exc chanted silence
looking at the flashing, leaping, bound
ing beauty, and as the dance closes and
the tinkling cymbals cease to clap and
the thunders of applause that shook
the palace begin to abate, the en-
chanted monarch swears to the prince
ly performer: whatsoever thou shalt
ask of me ] will 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-
tist, and he had been max ing 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-
lome takes advantage of the extrava
giant promise of the king and says
Bring me the head of John the Bap
tist on a dinner plate"
Hark to the sound of feet outside the
door and the clatter of swords. The ex
ecutioners are returning from theii
awful errand Open the door. They en-
ter, and they present the pla tier to Sa
, lone. What is on this platter? A new
glass of wine to continue the uproariou
merrimentP No. Something redde
{ and costlier-the CHASTITY, bleeding hea'
of John the Baptist, the death glar
still in the eye, the locks dabbled will
the gore, the features still distresse,
with the last agony. This woman, VIII
had whirled so gracefully in the dance
: bends over the awful burd en- without
shudder. She gloats over the blood, an,
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, Will
all the banqueters shout with laughte
= and think it a good joke that in so cas-
and quick way they have got rid @
an earnest and outspoken minister @
t the gospel.
| Well, there is no harm in birthda
festival All the kings from Pharaoh
. time had celebrated such occasions, an
why not Herod? No harm in kindlin
! the lights. No harm in spreading tn
banquet. No harm in arousing music
: But from the riot and wassail tina
= closed the scene of that day every pur
nature revolts. l am not at this tim
s to discuss the old question, is dancin
= right or wrong; but am to discuss th
question, does dancing take too muc
q place and occupy too much time
.s modern society; and in my remarks
n hope to carry with me the earnest COZ
d viction of all thoughtful persons and
l. believe j will.
You will all admit, whatever you thin
. of that style of amusement and exc
f else, that from many circles it h;
crowded out all intelligent convers
. ton. You will also admit that it h;
= made the condition of those who do NJ
, dance, either because they do not kno
how, or because they have not IL
II health to endure it, or because throug
i conscientious scruples they must d
cline the exercise, very uncomfortabl
You will also admit, all of you, that
has passed in many cases from g
= amusement to dissipation, and you a
" easily able to understand the bewilde
: ment of the educated Chinaman, VIII
i standing in the brilliant circle whe
d there was dancing going on four
a five hours, and the guests seemed e
y hausted, turned to the proprietor
the house and said: why don't "
No. allow your servants to do this Il
If your"
You are also willing to admit, whs
= ever be your ideas in regard to Il
r amusement l am speaking of, and whs
ever be your idea Of the old-fashion
square dance and Of many of the pr
: cessional romps in which can see !
{ evil, the round dance is administrati
of evil and ought to be driven out Of |
4 respectable circles. l am by natur