The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-03-23

TIE part of the Session we're first in
ltloduced.
Rev. John NJ. Erwin's testimony OF
the 1st charge.
Question l. What was the specia
Official duty alluded to in this charge:
Answer. Compliance with the res
clution of Session of May 7th re
specting dancing.
Question 2. What authors did yor
read with q view to the discharge
Of your duty?
Answer. The book Of discipline
Chapter l, Section 8, the pastoral let
to-. of the General Assembly CT 1918
rs far as it respects dancing. and
the opinion expressed by the Presby-
;cry of South Alabama on the sub
ject.
Question 3. What principle was
avowed?
Answer. The cae contained in the
charge, "That all we do is sim"
Question 4. Did you read this Sec
ticn of discipline more than once?
Answer. | read it twice.
Question 5. Was tn, avowal re-
peated after the second reading?
Answer. 1t was, if not in words,
III substance.
Question 6. For what purpose do
you believe this principle was avowed?
Answer. For the purpose OF justi-
flying practically, if not absolutely,
the practice: of dancing.
Question Z. How long GO ycn sup
pose you were engaged il, this busi-
ness with Mr.. McGill?
Answer. About an hour and 4
hslf.
Question s. Did the accused, near
the close, advance any opinion which
you understood to be an adherance
to the same principle?
Answer. I think he did. He said
sll the harm or sin in the practise
proceeded from the heart Of the in
d;vidual who engaged in it.
Question 9. Did you recommend
any religious exercise in preference
to dancing as an amusement!
Answer. I did. I recommended
singing hymns.
Question 10. What was his reply?
Answer. His reply was, he had
seen mere sin committed in singing
hymns than in dancing, because they
laughed while singing solemn words.
Question IL. Did he quote any au-
tnority to show the consistency OF
dancing with the spirit of religion!
Answer. He di6, as I understood
it. He quoted a couplet of Watts,
Religion never was designed TO make
cur pleasures less"
Cross Examination by Mr.. Samuel
MeGil.
Question 1. Dill I charge the Ses-
SIGN by saying, "An we do is sin,"
as applying to the Session?
Answer. I did not understand the
principle as a charge applying either
to the. committee or Session.
Question 2. Was it not about that
time 1 asked the question, "Were not
cur best performances mixed with
sin?
Answer. I believe the expression
was used once.
Question 8. Did I not cay thought
the thing could be done away with
in time?
Answer. You did.
Question 4. Did ! hold up dancing
as no crime?
Answer. I do not recollect.
Question 5. Did I prevent you from
ccnyersing with the member of my
family officially?
Answer. do not reccllect that
YOU did when I addressed her per-
sonally.
Question s. Was I not asked Tor
free friendly conversation during
the stay there?
Answer. You were.
Question z. On leaving us, did you
ret state the Session would not con-
vene for eight or ten days, and that
we came in friendship and parted In
friendship, and that we hoped you
would not think anything OF It!
Answer. 1 stated that I did not
know that the Session would meet
for ten days, or e fortnight, with a
view to the case Of Miss Mary.
do not recollect using these expires
sions at parting.
Signed, John N. Erwin.
NJ. E-.n,s foefimOny on Second