Social dancing inconsistent with a Christian profession and baptismal vows
Subtitle: a sermon, preached in the Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C., June 17, 1849
By: by B. M. Palmer, pastor.
Publisher: Printed at the Office of the South Carolinian
Published: 1849
Place of publication: Columbia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 23
Subjects: Dance -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Sermons.; Sermons, American.; Antidance Literature.
Genres: Sermons.
Other titles: Sermon on social dancing
Description: Taken from a sermon delivered 17 June 1849, Palmerʼs book is typical of midnineteenth-century antidance literature. He declares that the seventeen references to dance in the Bible are all performed by one sex, in open fields, and in broad daylight. This, Palmer (1818-1902) concludes, is not the case with balls, in which the sexes dance together, in closed quarters, and at night. The author declares that human nature is "fallen and depraved, and subject to the domination of wicked passions," therefore, attending balls is promiscuous, demoralizing, and inconsistent with baptismal vows.
Notes: Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as facsimile page images and full text.