The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-04
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
The Congregation of First Baptist
Church Adopt Historic Paper.

morning the following paper which
was adopted first in 1889 and again
in 1866. was adopted:
The action taken by the First Bap-
tist church with reference to dancing.
In May, 1889, the following action
was taken:
Whereas. in ,the opinion of this
church. dancing and other popular
amusements of the day are contrary
- the spirit of religion, and detrimen-
tai to our spiritual interests. there
fore,
Resolved, That it is the duty of all
Christians in general, and the MEM
bers of this church in particular, if
they would maintain a consistent pro-
fession, to discOuntenance such
amusements, and, as far as practic-
able. restrain their children from par
taking of them.
On March 8. 1866, the following
was offered by Brother w. +. b.
Haynsworth, and adopted by the
church:
In consequence OF recent occur
rences, this church deems it advisable
to recur to the resolution of May f.,
1889, and again consider the question
as to whether Christians may, with
out guilt, participate in dancing.
We are enjoined in the Scriptures
to walk worthy of the high vocation
Cherewith we are called. We have
taken upon ourselves the name of our
Savior, and, if we are not under delu-
sion as to our state before God, we
are the children Of the King of kings
and heirs of the glory of heaven.
Ours is truly high and exalted voca-
ion. 1t should inspire the utmost ele-
vation of thought, sentiment, charac-
ter and action. 1t should make us,
as the Savior prayed we might be, not
of the world though in it; superior to
Its follies, proof against it's seductive
amusements, and ready to give up
whatever may impede our growth in
grace, impair our usefulness, tarnish
our profession, bring reproach upon
the church, and tangle us in the
world, or give grief to our brethren.
In the solemn aspect of our posi-
tion and responsibilities, can dancing
be condemned as sinful in the Scrip
lures, yet the amusement of dancing
is nowhere approved of or mentioned
in them as having been at any time
participated in by Gods people, while
1t is stated with emphasis that the
children Of the wicked dance. His
tory tells us that it has always been
a favorite enjoyment of the ungod-
ly. 1t is one of the most common and
universal modes Of dissipation. The
ball room is the haunt of thoughtless-
ness, folly and vanity Seriousness,
gravity, concern for the soul, would
be out Of place there. When is the
name Of God mentioned there, except
with lightness or even profanity? It's
scenes are in unison with the world
only; it's tendency is to promote idle
ness, extravaganza and dissipation.
The great body of serious, spiritual
Christians condemn it, and even the
world marks and comments upon par
ticipation in such amusements by
professors of religion as inconsistent
with their profession. But the opin-
ion seems to be entertained by some
Christians, that, while it would he
improper for them to mingle in the
scenes of the ball room, dancing may
be so divested of its Objectionable ac-
compartments to be a harmless
amusement. But were this so, who
could draw the line whereat proprie-
ty begins? Who shall say how much
of levity and folly is sufficient to con-
vert that into sin which, until the
point is reached, is innocent? How
far Is II safe to go with the world in
its amusements, and ,~',- does dang
cr begin? Can any one even attempt
To fix that point without peril to his
spiritual safety? and his Christian
reputation and usefulness? The world
has made dancing its own; it is one
OF it's highest priced indulgenccs.
shall the church dispute possession
with it? Under the injunction to
deny ourselves, and take up our cross.
ana To- abstain from the least appear