Year: 1876

y
Rev. Mr.. Stubbs at the Methodist
Church couple of weeks ago, permit
me to offer few thoughts on the other
side of the question. Mr.. Stubs en-.
tered into Wholesale denunciation Of
the drama, dancing, card playing, etc,
without making any discrimination as
to time, place, or the company kept.


have heretofore expressed my
views on this subject in the columns of
the INDEPENDENT, and do not now
propose to go into lengthy argument.
In this matter as in all others appre-
hend the true rule to be about as fol-
lows: The right use of all pleasures
and amusemcnts innocent in themselves
and the abuse of none. l submit to
an intelligent public if it is not more
consistent with this age of civilization
and free thought to urge upon all, the
young and the old, their personal re-
sponsibility for the way they indulge
in amusements than to dcnounce any
particular set of amusements of
themselves no more harmful than
some classes of amusement ut the
same time approved Of, upheld and in
dulgcd in. Fanatics Oh this question
make no distinction between the dance
at public ball with vicious company
and the dance by respectable people in
a private parlor; no distinction between
seven up for the drinks and the social
eucher game in the family at home.
This Wholesale denunciation is illogical
and comes off the same piece with the
eschewing of instrumental music in
church by some congregations, the
long and grim visaged Sunday solem-
nifty as practiced by others, Or the
straining at gnat and swallowing a
camel as is the habit of some people
who want to have the appearance of
being fearfully and wonderfully pious.
Rather say to the young, avoid bad
company, late hours, foolish expendi-
lures of money and time, immoral con-
versation, and let your consciences
guide you in these matters; let right
reason have its sway; intelligently use,
but never abuse the gifts of God. And
parents set the example as well as ad-
vance the precept. In this manner an
appeal is made to the judgment, to the
conscience, to right reason, and the
young man or woman will be quicker
to heed the parent Or the teacher than
though they heard wholesale dcnun-
citation devoid of reason Or consistency.


The public ball as generally conduct


ed in this country IS an evil. 1t pro-
notes late hours, which are injurious to
health, and creates giddy dispositions
which are destructive to sober and in
tclligent mental growth. But because
this is true, is there any reason why l
should refrain from dancing if l feel
like it at proper hour and with the
society that is congcnial, at my own
house, at the house Of friend, or even
in a hall built for that purpose? Shall
my name be dropped from the church
roll for thus indulging in an innocent
amusement because my neighbor dances
all night and goes home drunk in the
mornings Or shall be permitted to
remain in the church, and by my con-
sistcnt use Of amusements set the exam.
pie of "Temperance in all things" that
my neighbor may apprehend the true
rule of right use and non abuse in these
matters? The same may be said of
cards and other forms of amusement.
But few minds in the world are so gift.
ed that they can dwell forever in the
realms of serious contemplation and