Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-18
PROPER ADJUSTMENTS,

Amusement committees IN the differ
ent Wards and stakes Of Zion have
been organized so that the rocreations
of our people may be conducted with
due docorum, and In a manner that will
not reflect dIscredIt upon those who en-
gage in them, or upon the Church OF
which they are members That occa-
Eional relaxation from the ordinary ar
fairs Of life with rs cares, anxetles and
labors, is necessary has always been
recognized IN our community There
fore music the drama, social gather
ings and festivals have been enoour-
aged and dancing has beon permitted
under proper restrictions.
But many Of our young people have
gone wild on these amuscmenis, and
have become afflicted with a dancing
mania. Many OF them appear to think
that the great object Of existence IS TO
indulge in pleasure forgettul OF the
fact that the real purpose Of human ex-
istence Is something much more serl-
Gus than mere amusement No sensI.
bic person desires to make this life
more somber than II becomes when
stern duty Ia rgidy followed or en-
forced. But Il ought 10 be understood
by all that recreation Is but tho spice
ana not the meat Of life. It ia to be
occasional, and INDUCED IN for the
purpose which Is shown IN the word
itself II IL to recreate or make new
and vital the power to work, improve
advance and become more useful.
Excess IN anything ia improper and
harmful II Is displeasing to God and
onervatng 10 man. The everlasting
dancing that goes on In some circles
ought to be arrested The grand balls"
that arc arranged are too frequent, ana
kept UP too long Young ladies' win
boast Of engaging IN every dance at
the party and Of keeping It up until the
early hours Of morning They lnjure
their bodies az well as their minds, and
the passion for q needs to be checked.
But this Is not all The modern style
Of dancing nov IN vogue consists large
~ IN huggng rather than IN the grace
ful movements which the art was de-
signed TO promote. II has developed
into something mdecorous improper
and yulgar-mere jog-trottlng and
whIrllng instead Of the graceful glide
md rhythmic motion to sweet strains Of
music, which ought to be the rule Even
the waltz has become grotosque be-
cause OF the undisnlhed and close em-
brace that characterlzes It In many Of
the parties that are arranged partlcu-
larry in this western country.
Really refined and self.respccting
young ladies' win decline to submit to
the hugging style that has been adopt
3D. aud can very soon effect a reform
In this particular II they knew how IL
ia regarded In truly respectable socle-
~ they would be ashamed at the spec
tocle they furnish to lookers-on who
do not Indulge In such antics Even IN
"round dancing as It Is called there
Is a proper method OF moving TO mu-
sic and OF Joining hands and arms with
n partner The low vulgar. hug
cling style originated In dlsrcputablo
places Of amusement ana should not
be copied by decent people Of either
sex.
Besides, II Is entirely out OF fashion
IN the best society and this perhaps
win prove moro potent TO some NJ our
young people when they understand H.
than any argument that can DE offered
from a higher motive II rs only the
uncultlyated and unframed Jumping
and ungoIuy couples, rushing wildly
over the floor that now stoop to this
improper aud iuartIstc method. The
best Instructors ln dancing protest
against it and insist upon q gentleman.
Ike ana ladylIke attitude such MS
was recently shown I'm on Illustrated
article in the Dcserot News by Prof |
J.. T. Christensen.
We think this Is q subject worthy
the attention of amusement commit
toes everywhere They should not be
stern and poremptor, bat In "a kind
and persuasive manner they can I'm.
RtruCt our youu8 t,.,yl. tr d..