Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-12-08


Editor es-Republican: Hitherto
the writer has played silent part in
what is now known over the state as
the Ellsworth dance question The out
side world is evidently taking a lively
interest in the subject, for many let
tiers have come to me from friends in
other sections, who, knowing my resi-
dence here, have written me concerning
the matter
To dance Or not to dance has not
been the real issue here, but a much
greater question and one in which the
church generally is interested, is in
volved.
| Ellsworth is situated in one Of the
most fertile and prosperous sections
of the state Two large elevators do
thriving grain business, and many
large stores cater to the wants of her
people. The local bank with M. H.
Brinton, we'll known over Iowa at Its
head, has on deposit nearly s350,000.
This for a town of less than 500 can
scarcely be duplicated in the state. Her
school, with D. E. Breed, graduate of
Iowa College, as principal and corps
! of effective teachers, Is affordinE- splen-
did educational training for the young.
Many of her young people are grad
yates or students of Ames or other col
leges They are Intellectually bright
and readers of the best current litera-
ture. There Is scarcely a home in the
&C immunity that does not possess a
piano, and often other instruments.
Withal the young people are respectful
and refined. This is my observation
after a residence OF several months.
Can you, amid all that America has
/ given these young people. of freedom.
| of education. OF prosperity. hold them
to the religious conceptions and GUS
toms of a century ago?
Back of the dance question here,
which in itself really amounts to moth
| ing, is another and more pertinent one
is the church of today in harmony
with the spirit Of the age, fitting into
posing the real enemies Of public we'll
being? Can we put the new wine of
young America into the old bottles of
narrow credal beliefs and make him
accept what the puritans have ever
taught, viz: that pleasure and recrea-
ton are sinful? However, others may
answer this question, to me it is very
clear that all such attempts do and
will end in failure.
Recreation, amusement, pleasure, are
as essential to our we'll being as bread.
To deny ourselves these is to become
narrow, ascetic, jesuistic, and likewise
sickly. 1t is all contrary to instinct, and
| religion tina. does not harmonic with
our God-fmplanted instincts can not be
| true.
| When we enter on the subject of
amusements, what shall We sanction?
All recreations, games and pleasures
which do not lower our moral tone.
and which contribute to our happiness
are allowable Dancing, with all other
amusements is to be measured by this
rule. 1t has been the writer's privilege
| twice in his life to attend May day
| balls given by the Episcopalian church.
These affairs were happy and innocent.
I have seen other dances where heads
were broken and profanity filled the
air. In neither case had the dance
anything to do with the conduct of the
people. The difference grew out of the
different state OF moral and intellec-
tual development.
I have received some of my best
instruction from viewing the portray
al of life upon the stage, and have
likewise. been often Disguised by 9TH
er exhibitions. There was time when
priests and preachers occasionally be-
came intoxicated on the communion
wine. Even in the primitive church
| this happened, so that Paul warned
the Corinthians against it. However,
no one would argue against the Com
munion on this account We have
morally outgrown these weaknesses
From the columns OF the Chris tiiaIi
Witness CLEAN the information that
the board of bishops of the M. E