We will also take an extract from a report published in the Lon don Morning Chronicle, by the select committee on drunkenness. "The want of agreeable occupation is the great cause of that beastly vice (intemperance) the disgrace of our nation. Savages are uniformly disposed to intoxication, which enables them to escape from the insufferable burden of listlessness. Drunkenness is the vice of people who are listless and betake themselves to the bottle for relief. * * * The indi viduals most addicted to drunkenness are not the gay and the cheerfulthe men whose minds are occupied with any pursuit, whether study or diversion; but the heavy-the phlegmatic. The nations that cultivate music and dancing are comparatively sober. It was remarked during the Peninsular war, that the German soldiers who had a variety of amusements, were never drunk on duty; while the great difficulty was to keep an English soldier from the wine house. The Germans are naturally as heavy a people as ourselves-they were once notorious for their deep potations. They are now comparatively sober. In every village are to be found music clubs. The song and the dance are frequent. But no people are more careful or industrious than the Germans."* If any, in view of these facts, still maintain that amusements are sinful or even inexpedient for the Christian, we fear it is useless to attempt to introduce a single ray of light through the triple brass of impregnable prejudice. They think, we suppose, that a physical accompanies their moral change and that they are differently affected by the sun, air, food and exercise, from other men. To such we have nothing to say, deeming their case hopeless; and when we hear clergymen, who ought to be possessed of learning and intelligence, preaching against all amusements, as if every pastime was a sort of Pandora's box, and as if they firmly believed that, these abolished, all obstaclest to the conversion of the world would be removed, we cannot help pitying the narrowness of intellect, the want of observation and reflection; the scantiness of ideas and unpardonable ignorance of the first principles of human nature which leads them to look at every sport, with a view to remote and contingent possibilities, and vague and impalpable tendencies. Yet their opinions are put forth, without any symptoms of hesitation. One is inclined to say, with Job, "no doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.' "It is pleasant," as Lucretius says, " to get upon the very top of all philosophy, and look out upon the world, safe ourselves, from its dangers and alarms." Giving, then, to these gentlemen all the deference to which their elevated position entitles them, we will regard it as proved that seasons of relaxation are necessary and proper. *If the committee upon dancing had been acquainted with the views of the committee upon drunkenness, perhaps they would have arrived at a different conclusion. Would they not be increased? "An idle brain is the devil's workshop." If innocent diversions are forbidden to the young, will they not become apt apprentices to the trade of that expert master workman? What then shall our amusements be? When it is remembered that our inclinations vary with our changing tastes, and accumulating years; that some find pleasure in what would be weariness to others, the difficulty of laying down rules is at once perceived. And he who makes the attempt, will find it so. We have heard of a disciple of Vulcan who said to his apprentices "let us leave off work and chop wood." No doubt the change from the close shop and swinging of the sledge, to the use of the axe in the open air, was pleasant. But what would be said if they prescribed the same sport for others? Let each one follow his own inclinations, so long as he indulges in nothing criminal. "Indulge your taste. Some love the manly toils, The gun's unerring thunder; and there are Whom still the meed of the green archer charms. He chooses best whose labor entertains His vacant fancy most; THE TOIL YOU HATE FATIGUES YOU SOON, AND SCARCE IMPROVES YOUR LIMBS."* As to the amusement of dancing, we have always regarded it as innocent and valuable, and shall hereafter give our reasons for this opinion. But what says the "Report"? It attempts to sustain the following resolutions. First-Resolved, That we consider public balls as exerting an influence decidedly unfavorable to the interests of religion, and an attendance upon them, by professing christians, as inconsistent with their covenant obligations." Second "Resolved, That since the amusement of dancing, as practiced under other circumstances, is almost invariably liable to some extent, to the same objections as public balls; very naturally leads to an attendance upon them, and will occasion when practiced by professing christians a measure of the same reproach-we consider it the duty of church members to refrain from that amusement entirely.” It also attempts "to establish the principle, that christian parents should employ all suitable instrumentalities to restrain their children from engaging in that amusement as it is generally practised." It is not our intention to go at all into the merits of the first resolution, as it is uncalled for; members of " Orthodox church. es" not being in the habit of attending "public balls." With regard to the second resolution, and the establishment of the above "principle," we have somewhat to say. It will be * Dr Armstrong's "Art of preserving health." perceived, that this resolution declares it to be the duty of church meinbers, never to join in the dance, whatever the occasionwhether by your own fire side or in the social circle, where you behold loved and familiar faces, and spend a few brief hours in keeping your "friendship in good repair;" or at the annual family gatherings, when the absent ones return, perchance from beyond the sea, when pleasure beams from every eye, and the sound of gladness is on every tongue,-the church has solemnly given forth to the public, that they consider it the duty of the christian never to engage in the dance. We lament exceedingly that they should have arrived at such a conclusion; and still more, that they should have thus announced it to the world, as we think it calculated to do vast injury to that cause which we trust we all have at heart; and to cast a reproach upon many christians and highly valuable members of society, In making the remarks we are about to offer, we are actuated by no unfriendly feelings to those who have advanced these opinions. On the contrary we have for many of them the highest regard but we have been arraigned before the public, and cannot permit judgment to go against us by default. The first five pages, and a part of the sixth, of the "Report," [5th, 6th and a part of the 7th of this vol.] are taken up in laying down general, valuable cautions as to how we should approach any question of duty-then follow certain quotations from scripture "relating to the necessity of crucifying the natural man,' and which "teach that the attainment of life eternal, is exceedingly difficult." Then the example of "mature" christians is appealed to-then the "great majority of the intelligent though unrenewed part of every community, where the light of divine truth hath shined with clearness," are represented as regarding the conduct of christians, who engage in this amusement, as inconsistent. Then follow two sets of questions, the first of which are all answered in the affirmative, and the second in the negative, without its having been thought necessary to advance anything more convincing than their simple yea and nay. Having thus thrown so much light upon the subject as “to leave but little, if any, doubt," that dancing, upon any occasion, is attended with the most disastrous and dangerous results to our immortal welfare, it goes on to infer, that "consistency" and "natural affection" should induce parents to restrain their children from it; "that, what is fraught with difficulty to the mature in age," cannot "be entirely harmless and salutary to the young and inexperienced." In the concluding sentence, it is declared that "much more might be advanced." We will reply in detail to these positions and assertions. All are aware of the danger of giving any particular portion of the Bible undue prominence. If this is done, our views are distorted, and wrong impressions received. This remark will be found eminently valuable, applied to the passages cited in the "Report." When an attempt is made to prove dancing sinful, by quoting texts which call upon us "to deny ungodliness, and wordly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, to make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof," we very naturally inquire what the Apostle meant by these expressions. The "Report," in assuming that dancing was a "fleshly lust," begged the question. Let the Apostle explain his own meaning. Gal. 5th; 19th, 20th, 21st; "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like." Thus we see, that "soberly, righteously," &c. are put in opposition to abominable vices; and have no bearing whatever upon dancing or any other amusement properly so called. Might not a hint be taken from Paul's example, to cease these attacks upon harmless games and turn attention to real vices. If it is supposed that we are rendered more fit for heaven by denying ourselves all innocent gratifications, it is but advancing one step farther, to render it more sure by self inflicted torture. Deluded christians have, ere now, howled responsive to their own blows, believing that every groan here, would become a song hereafter. Neither, it is conceived, are such quotations as "work out your salvation with fear and trembling*-the righteous scarcely are saved," &c. &c., any more applicable to this subject. We know that portions of Scripture may be selected, of very solemn import, which teach us the vanity of all sublunary things; and the mind, impressed with their worthlessness, longs to flee to the deserts and mountains, there to spend every waking moment in devotion. We may be brought to consider, not only every recreation, but even the business of life, as hindrances on our way. An examination of other portions of the Bible (which in due time we shall make) would lead us to adopt more rational views. For the present we remark, that, having shown recreations to be useful and essential, they cannot of course, be classed with those "powerful obstacles" and "great dangers" and that "vast variety of difficulties," spoken of, in the "Report," as standing in the path to heaven; for whatever is necessary, cannot *These are strong expressions, inculcating the necessity of diligent self examination; and he, whose mind is healthy, cheerful, and active, is better fitted for the task, than he, whose soul is full of morbid melancholy, gloom, and despondency. + Report, page 7. 66 have a bad effect upon the heart. No man would think of interrupting a game of ball, or blindman's buff, by saying there were great obstacles" in the way to heaven; that the "righteous scarcely are saved"-" work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Some moral distinction must then be pointed out between dancing and other amusements. Unless some peculiarly bad tendencies are fastened upon it, this talk about "obstacles,' "dangers," and "difficulties," falls pointless upon the ear of the reflecting. By what mental process, all the solemn passages of the Bible are made to bear upon this amusement, and upon no other, is difficult to conceive. We come now to the assertion, that "those of a maturer christian experience, who manifest the greatest devotion to Christ, the highest spirituality of mind, and the strongest faith," are, very generally, if not always, averse from engaging in this 66 amusement. Dancing is confined principally to the young. Now if with "maturer experience," is connected an age beyond the period of youth, this is fully explained. Their inclination to engage in the dance has ceased; and no other motive except want of inclination should be attributed to them. The assertion that they refrain from what they have no taste for, because they would be so fascinated with it as to be unfit for "communion with God," carries with it but little weight; so that the fact that few dancers are found between the ages of thirty and seventy proves nothing. If years are not necessary for "maturer christian experience," and it is meant to be asserted that devoted young christians are generally "averse" to this amusement, proof of the fact is necessary. We know many who are not "averse" to the dance, and are only kept from it on suitable occasions by the frowns of their spiritual guides. We pass now to the inference, drawn from the assertion, that the characters of those christians who engage in this "amusement as usually practised,' are lowered in the estimation of "a great majority of the intelligent, though unrenewed part of the community." This we believe to be a grand mistake. The world has severer tests by which to try the character, than opinions or practice upon dancing. It is more keen sighted than is generally supposed. It observes, compares, examines, and values at their true worth those cheap displays of zeal manifested by those who cry out against dancing, after that age when it ceases to be agree *The dancing, intended by this expression, is the social dance at private houses, at suitable hours, and generally to the music of the piano, played by one of the guests or a member of the family, though the aid of the violin is sometimes called in. |