Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-10

Nohaannned n II foslb diIefi 81 I'M. II ~
not until the time of Charles VI %
France. called the mad, that balls wexe
established in Paris, which have been tho
curse of the nation. and vet are we SO far
superior to those of the past that we can
indulge In them and not feel the faint OF
sin. Learning to dance means going to
balis just as surely as a skeleton key
means burglary .'All balls are sensual
in the worst sense by the mode OF dress
indulged in. by the movements practiced
and the stimulus of passion always pro-
vided and drank" The most fashionable
dancing party, where everything that in
telligence. wealth and taste can command.
has its counterpart. 1t is but the higher
and more polished link in the chain that
reaches down to the disgusting scenes
enacted in the low grade of gals. and vet
we as Christians who have renowned the
world can lift up our faces without
blush of shame and say. There is no
HARM
Now let us take up the disadvantages of
dancing.
I. It is harmful to body and mind. It
sows the seeds of i'll health. The very at
mosphere of the room is tainted with dis
ease, the mingling together of so many,
the breathing of this impure air, the
violent exercise. the overtaxed energies,
and the many other exposures all tend
to ill health. The grave holds to-day the
remains of many a fair and lovely woman
who but for the dance would be in the full
enjoyment of vigorous health, blessing
to the church and the world. Memory
brings back to my mind many fair one,
whom played with in childhood, yet now
rests beneath the sod, all owing to the
fascinating dance. Many a young girl
has gone to a premature grave, while
many more are treading hard upon its
crum.biing verge because of the dissipa-
lions they have INDUCED in.
IL 1t is worldly. Worldly in its asso-
Citations and tendencies. 1t belongs to
men and women of the world-to that
same class of designations and recreations
as card playing, horse racing and theatre
cal exhibitions. It is the amusement OF
the vile and wicked, the enemies of God
and man. The enticing bait that Satan
throws out to the young and gay that
they may forget God and ''eat, drink and
be merry
III. Moral aspect. What is it but fash
ionable enforcement? Men and women
locked in each others arms and whlrling
in the intoxication of enforcement. FASH
ion has enthroned the waltz, or more COM
monty called the ''glide,'' and here 1t is
that young ladies permit liberties to be
taken which if attempted in private they
would instantly resent as the most shock
ing insult; yet fashion advocates I. There
are fathers and mothers who permit their
6SJIQhtGrS tn in,a Oft
gliding for hours through the ''voluptuous
movements of the waltz and accom-
panied home by some libertine who would
rob them of their virtue if they had the
opportunity, and we have such young
men here. Satan has no wnere intro
duced a greater evil that the waltz-to de-
scribe it would give offense to true mod
esty and bring a blush of shame upon
the cheek of purity; yet Christian can
indulge in it. Balls are sensual in the
worst sense, for here a mother surrenders
her fair daughter into the company of any
man she may be introduced to that even
ing, whether he may be pure or vile. She
is expected to make her appearance in a
dress, which means just as much as mod
esty will permit. She will then be held in
the embrace of some smooth tongued
stranger whom she never saw and after
wards would be ashamed 10 meet in her
house and yet he can hold her thus all
though his very heart may be filed with
lust. This is not only true OF balls, but
also of private dancing parties, the same
entertainment, late hours, and true not
the same number but less caution and re-
Straint.
Nv. In conflict with the church. 1t is
utterly inconsistent with the duties, priv
leges and tastes of true Christians
V. Injuries our influence What good can
one do? Is he disposed TO exhort, pray or
sing? VIII the wicked listen? Will they
not say it is all mockery?
All the evangelical denominations are
opposed to dancing, although some of the
ministers have not grace enough to pre-
sent it in it's true light.
The reverend speaker in substantiation
of this assertion quoted authorities from
the Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Baptist and Roman Catholic
churches.
TEE REVIVAL MEETING