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diff --git a/36667.txt b/36667.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..93ff025 --- /dev/null +++ b/36667.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1149 @@ +Project Gutenberg's A Discourse on the Evils of Dancing, by John F. Mesick + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Discourse on the Evils of Dancing + +Author: John F. Mesick + +Release Date: July 8, 2011 [EBook #36667] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOURSE ON EVILS OF DANCING *** + + + + +Produced by Gerard Arthus, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + A DISCOURSE ON THE EVILS OF DANCING + + + DELIVERED MARCH 8, 1846, + + BEFORE THE CONGREGATION + + OF + + THE GERMAN REFORMED SALEM CHURCH + + OF + + HARRISBURG, PA., + + By the Pastor, the Rev. John F. Mesick, + + PUBLISHED BY THE VESTRY. + + HARRISBURG: + + THEO: FENN, PRINTER. + + 1846. + + + HARRISBURG, March 11, A. D. 1846. + REV. JOHN F. MESICK--_Dear Sir:_ On last Sabbath evening, 8th + inst., you preached a sermon to our congregation on "_The Evils + of Dancing_." As this is a custom which is in much practise even + by those who consider themselves patterns in society, and, who + generally comprise the youth, and say that it is an innocent + amusement. We would esteem it as a favor if you would furnish us + with a copy thereof for publication that it may be circulated in + our Sabbath Schools, among the votaries of dancing, the parents + and friends of those who have been assenting to it, in the hope + that they may read it and learn its evil consequences, and + abstain from its practice hereafter, and be satisfied that its + use is not in character with the present age, whatever may have + seemingly commended it in former days. + + JOHN C. BUCHER, + GEO. P. WIESTLING, + GEORGE ZINN, + DANIEL W. GROSS, + ELIAS ZOLLINGER, + JACOB SHELL, + LUTHER REILEY, + GEORGE BEATTY, + RUDOLPH F. KELKER, + SAMUEL B. KEYSER, + VALENTINE EGLE, + GEORGE L. KUNKEL. + + * * * * * + + HARRISBURG, March 11, 1846. + _To the Vestry of the German Reformed Salem Church:_ + DEAR BRETHREN: Although the Discourse preached on Sabbath + evening last, was prepared during the preceding week as a + regular duty, without a thought in reference to a request of + this kind; yet as you have been pleased to express a wish to see + it in print, in the hope of extending its usefulness, the + manuscript is at your service. + With sincere esteem and affection, yours, &c., + JOHN F. MESICK. + + + + +THE EVILS OF DANCING. + +ROMANS, XII. 3.--"BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD." + + +The Bible is the only rule for all who wish to be saved. The professed +Christian, not only, but every unconverted man, must bow to its +precepts, if he would gain the favor of God. There is but one way, and +but one gate of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, for saint and for +sinner. Whatever, therefore, shall be acknowledged to be the duty of the +covenanted follower of the Lamb, is equally the duty of every individual +who stands disconnected with the visible Church. + +It is a doctrine of revelation that, both classes of persons will be +judged by the same law, and will be tried with equal impartiality and +rigor. We are taught that, what Divine justice shall demand from the +one, it will demand from the other; and that there is no respect of +persons with God. The human race, as dependent and accountable agents, +are placed on the same moral level in his sight. Each commandment of his +word is addressed to every hearer of the Gospel. And all are under +obligation to obey its injunctions, as they value the eternal welfare of +their immortal spirits. + +It is on this incontrovertible principle that I shall proceed to speak +from the text: "Be not conformed to this world,"--assuming it as an +undeniable truth that, what God requires of his children, he also exacts +from the people of the world; and that whatever is inconsistent with the +reputation or character of a good church member, is no less inconsistent +with the eternal salvation of those persons who have not made a public +profession of religion. + +We take our ground boldly on this portion of scripture, and assert that +the fashionable amusement of Dancing, is contrary to the _spirit_ and +_aim_ of the Gospel, and, therefore, is opposed to the revealed will of +God. Your attention is invited to two points: + +FIRST--To the necessity of non-conformity to the world; and + +SECONDLY--To the facts proving that Dancing is an act of conformity to +the world. + +I. We begin with _the necessity of non-conformity to the world_. + +The Scripture sense of the term, _world_, is that collection of +idolaters, unbelievers, and wicked men who constitute the great bulk of +the inhabitants of our globe; in short all persons who do not belong to +the Kingdom of God. + +_This definition_ corresponds with the declarations of Christ: "My +kingdom is not of this world;" "Ye are not of the world, even as I am +not of the world;" "If ye were of the world, the world would love his +own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of +the world, therefore the world hateth you." + +The sentiment of the text is not the voice of a solitary passage, but is +amply sustained by other portions of the word of God. There are many +similar precepts addressed to believers: "Arise ye and depart, for this +is not your rest; because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even +with a sore destruction;" "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye +separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." "Love not +the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any man love the +world, the love of the Father is not in him." "Know ye not that the +friendship of the world is enmity with God?" "Ye cannot serve God and +Mammon." "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." "If the Lord be God, +follow him; but if Baal, follow him." + +These commandments of our Heavenly Father, are not _hard sayings_ to the +soul that has been delivered from this present evil world through faith +in Jesus; for it has acquired through the work of the Spirit, a holy +resignation to every intimation of the Divine will, and supreme delight +in God as infinitely lovely, which causes every other source of pleasure +or of happiness to become tasteless and insipid. To carnal minds, we +admit, that they will sound like tyrannical edicts, because they seem to +them to take away their natural liberty; shutting them up from the +pursuit of that kind of enjoyment for which they pant, which they know +not where to find, and in search of which they wander "through earth, +its gay pleasures to trace." + +But to souls renewed by Divine Grace, the yoke of Christ is easy and his +burden light. True Christians, the heirs of glory, are separated from +the world, not only by profession, not only by external badges, but what +is of higher moment, by their character and spirit. They are essentially +a peculiar people; singular in their opinions and practices, and created +unto good works. They are distinguished by a conversation in Heaven. +They move through society as pilgrims and strangers on the earth. They +keep themselves unspotted from the world, as temples of the Holy Ghost. +They seek in Heaven an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, +and that fadeth not away, as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus +Christ. And they reflect the love and holiness of Jesus, as those who +bear the Saviour's image. + +_A wide and unalterable distinction exists, therefore_, between the +servants of God and the people of the world, a distinction as +perceptible as that which divides the night from the day, and the +darkness from the light. "The one are born from above, the other from +beneath. The one are quickened by Divine grace; the other are dead in +trespasses and sins. The one are governed by the Spirit of God, and the +other are under the dominion of Satan. The one consult the glory of God, +and cheerfully resign all for Christ; the other make self the centre +around which they move." + +Such irreconcilable discordance in the primary elements of their +character forbids the thought of their amalgamation. We might as +reasonably expect that oil and water would commingle and become one +fluid, as that true Christians should blend their hopes and interests +with those of the world. The natural and ardent opposition, growing out +of their respective principles and aims, renders a separation between +them inevitable, absolutely necessary, necessary at least for the +safety, comfort, consistency, and usefulness of believers. + +There is no need of further exposition, to show that the injunction of +the text is deep-laid in the very constitution of things--and is the +natural result of the incompatible differences between submission to the +will of God and rebellion against his moral government. The followers of +Christ can never consent to a compromise involving these principles, +unless they are willing to sacrifice his cause. Allegiance to Heaven +demands that true Christians should never shrink in the hour of trial +from the ignominy or suffering of the cross. If they would be holy, they +must possess the courage to dare to be singular, and to meet the world's +derisive laugh on account of the tenderness of their consciences, or +their inexperience in the vanities and customs of fashionable life. They +should receive as an honor its scorn and ridicule, when heaped upon them +because they continue faithful to Christ; because they implicitly follow +the directions of his humbling doctrines before men; and because they +steadily maintain the line of separation between the church and the +world. + +No man deserves the name of Christian, no man can indulge a good hope of +salvation, unless his faith in Christ is productive of non-conformity to +the world; a stand which is indispensable to his separation from a +perishing race and his incorporation into the Kingdom of Heaven. + +II. In the second place we proceed _to adduce the facts proving that +Dancing is an act of conformity to the world_. + +1. Even if could be shown that it is a _healthful amusement_, the +position assumed by the text, would exclude it from the recreations of +those who love and obey God, imposing on them the obligation to refrain +from it, and to resort to other means of exercise, to which no valid +objection could be made. + +No apology, we are sure, can be offered for Dancing, as usually +conducted, _more weak_ than the common one, that it promotes the health +of the body. Some thing doubtless might be accomplished by it for the +attainment of this object, if it were practised in the day-time and in +the open air. But usually, in obedience to the arbitrary decree of +fashion, _the most unseasonable hour, and the most unfavorable +circumstances are chosen_. + +Many an untimely death has been the dreadful penalty incurred by +exposure on such occasions; and the fearful blow has generally fallen +among the ranks of lovely woman. Follow the fragile, venturesome forms +of our delicate, modernly dressed ladies to the ball room. They pass +from their habitations, arrayed in a garb whose style and materials +would render it a fit garment to be worn only at mid-summer; covered +with a light wrapper, lest the decorations of the toilet should be +deranged, and protected from the snow or frozen pavement only by thin +soled shoes. They spend several hours together under the excitement of +lively strains of music, and of the glittering array of beauty and +fashion, in a chamber brilliant with a multitude of dazzling lights, and +crowded with guests to the destruction of the vital properties of the +atmosphere; and in physical exertions to which they have been +unaccustomed, and which open all the pores of the skin. The system is +also deranged by loading the stomach with indigestible food, and by +encroaching on the ordinary and necessary hours of repose. Then with +heated and wearied frames, in that state peculiarly exposed to the +injurious action of the cold, they suddenly exchange the warm +temperature of the assembly chamber for the chilliness of the damp night +air--the tropic of the ball room for the Siberia of the street. Alas! +what a perilous price to pay for the admiration of the fashionable +throng, or for the fleeting gratification of the hour. In that wintry +blast consumption smites his smiling victims, and fills up the weekly +calendar of his fearful ravages. In our large cities, where this insane +contempt of health and life is sanctioned by the uniform practice of the +God-forgetting multitude, this fell destroyer snatches his prey from the +ranks of fashion by scores, and scourges them more fatally than the +pestilence. + +And yet individuals can be found in the midst of our community, so +devoid of wisdom and foresight as to advocate the introduction of this +pernicious amusement into our social circles. We trust that if they +cannot be reached by any higher motives, that a regard for the health +and lives which will be sacrificed to this modern idol, will induce them +to pause, and to consider well the way of their steps. + +2. The position assumed by the text, would exclude Dancing from the list +of Christian diversions, even if it could be shown _that it is innocent +in itself_. + +This, however, is a point which the worldling labors in vain to prove by +the most skilful use of religious sophistry. + +Persons on whose judgment we rely with great confidence in matters of +this sort, have abandoned the idea which they, in common with others, +once entertained, that Dancing, if properly regulated, might be +harmless. It is their settled opinion, founded on considerable personal +experience and on observation, "that the nature of the amusement itself, +even in its least exceptionable forms and in limited exercise, is +such--that it has a tendency to inflame passion, to poison virtue, to +endanger purity, and to lead on to gross and deadly evils." + +Modern dancing, as generally practised, is a gay and guilty pleasure. It +receives no warrant from the Bible. The only kind of Dances recorded in +the Sacred Scriptures, are religious Dances, forming part of the worship +of God: "with the exception of that of the vain fellows devoid of shame, +of the irreligious families described by Job, and of Herodias"--which +are no more an example for us because they are recorded in the sacred +narrative, than the treachery of Judas Iscariot, in betraying his master +with a kiss. + +But then we must remember the fact that the Religious Dance was +practised only on joyful occasions; that it was performed in the day +time, in the open air, and only by one of the sexes at a time. There is +not a historical notice in the word of God, of _promiscuous dancing_ +either as an act of worship or amusement. + +And those persons were reckoned among the vilest of mankind who +perverted Dancing from a sacred use to mere purposes of amusement. + +At the present time, as we cast our eyes over the map of the world, we +discover that dancing is still practised as an important part of +religious worship by the inhabitants of all heathen countries; by the +Indians of our own Western forests; by the superstitious natives of +Africa, and by the effeminate and luxurious Asiatics. But as employed +among the ceremonies of idolatry in Southern Asia, it has been changed +from the slow measured movements, practised by the ancient Greeks and +Romans, to a style, which one Missionary remarks, "would not be +tolerated on the boards of the lowest theatre in Europe, or in America." +Dancing girls, arrayed in the most costly ornaments of dress, and quite +equal in skill to some of the modern exhibitors of that art in the +theatres of civilized lands, are invariably connected with heathen +temples in the East Indies, as their constant attendants. + +Let us turn our attention from these regions of idolatry, and inquire +among what nations of Christendom this amusement is most popular, that +we may trace it throughout its various existing associations. At the +head of what are usually denominated civilized countries, we must place +France, Italy and Spain, where on the Sabbath it is deemed entirely +consistent with the claims of Christianity to go to the house of God in +the morning, and to a bull-fight and a dance in the public gardens in +the afternoon. And it might be an instructive commentary as to the evil +effects of this amusement on the morals of those nations, to go more +into particulars, were it not that the facts concerning the virtue, +purity and chastity of the fashionable circles of France and Italy, +disclosed by travellers, are too appalling to be repeated. + +In England the chief patrons of the dance are their card-playing, +theatre-going, and horse-racing aristocracy; who are indebted to their +purse and to their title for their standing in society; who are too +indolent generally to cultivate their minds; and who are seldom capable +of gaining distinction, except by extravagance and debauchery. In these +_higher_ circles no man is deemed respectable who cannot "trip it on the +light fantastic toe." And that person is scouted as a mawkish prude or a +hypocritical fanatic, who scruples to go the whole round of these +_elegant_ amusements. Says a writer of this class: "He must be a +desperate gnat-strainer who gives and goes to dances and yet objects to +cards. The strictest Pharisee in the land, indeed, _could find no +argument against it_." This is a modest assumption which we have no time +to notice. In commenting on this quotation, it is sufficient for our +present purpose to remark that the opinions and practices of the +fashionable world, compel us to class these recreations in the same +category. + +Let us now look at the _introduction_ of this fashionable amusement into +the United States. It comes from the gay saloons of Paris and of London, +and it is an imitation of the corrupt and ruinous fashions of the old +world. It is the entering wedge of luxury and licentiousness, the fatal +antagonists to the purity and simplicity of our republican institutions +and manners. + +Look again at the _tutors_ of this art, to whom fond parents entrust +their beloved children, to enable them to acquire this agreeable +indulgence, and you will generally find that they are the very refuse of +foreign cities; men destitute of either stability or principle; who, on +account of their profession, are not esteemed worthy of an introduction +into the social circle of the families by whom they are employed. Every +judicious person must acknowledge that there is great danger that the +tender and susceptible minds of youth will be contaminated by such +associates. There is not a family in our land, so high or well governed, +but that its children are more or less exposed to temptation and +destruction; and we cannot, therefore, with too great jealousy or care +guard against the beginnings of evils. + +Look, also, at the style and character of those modern dances, which are +most admired and most fashionable; and you will perceive at a glance +that their movements, attitudes and evolutions are repugnant to a +natural sense of propriety, and inconsistent with that unsullied purity +of mind which we consider inseparable from the individual to whom we +would yield the homage of our hearts. The soul that commands the love of +the virtuous, must be spotless as the unfallen snow. Genuine attachment +can be based only on esteem. In all honesty, therefore, we must strike +that from the list of innocent amusements, which, from its very nature, +involves such a perilous trial of moral principles; that contact with it +almost inevitably inflicts a loss of mental refinement, if not positive +pollution, by opening the doors to a licentious imagination. + +There are other evils of great magnitude, which strip off the mask of +innocency from this frivolous and sinful amusement. It occasions a loss +of precious time, which God has given for nobler objects. It produces +dissipation of mind, disqualifying it for the ordinary and serious +duties of life. It wastes money, which some cannot well afford to give +away, or which might be much better employed in furnishing the means of +intellectual improvement, or in works of benevolence. It encourages +extravagance in dress; inflating the mind with intolerable vanity and +pride, and training up our sons and daughters to become reckless +spendthrifts, despising honest industry and commendable economy. It is +ordinarily connected with the use of wine and of strong drinks, casting +down unwary youth from the path of sobriety, into the depth of poverty +and drunkenness. Finally, it indisposes the soul to _religion_, exciting +folly, levity, and kindred corruptions of the human heart, and begetting +disgust for the worship and service of God. + +Miss Beecher, who ranks with the most distinguished ladies of our +country, and who owes her reputation to those circumstances only, which +should command esteem under our democratic institutions, to her +intelligence, refinement, and virtue, speaks of this art in the +strongest terms of disapprobation. "In the fifteen years during which +she had the care of young ladies, she affirms she has _never known any +case_ where learning this art, and following the amusement, did not have +a _bad effect_, either on the habits, the intellect, the feelings or the +health." A testimony so respectable, ought certainly to satisfy every +mind, which is governed by truth and reason, as to the evils of Dancing. + +3. But a higher consideration, why dancing should be discountenanced, +and that indeed which decides the course of duty, is, _that it is an +amusement by which the world is distinguished from the kingdom of Jesus +Christ_. + +It is part and parcel of an _education for the world_. Its object is the +acquisition of a graceful carriage, an easy movement, and elegant +manners. Its aim is to prepare an individual for introduction into +society with advantage. And its design does not extend beyond the +success of his worldly prospects. + +No one has ever had the hardihood to maintain that fashionable dancing +is a medium of Divine blessings to the soul; that it secures the +influences of the Holy Spirit; or that it prepares the mind for the +hallowed exercises of the closet. No one ever yet adopted the absurd +idea that it was a substitute for Faith and Repentance; that it was a +means of recommendation to God; or that it was an accomplishment for the +employments of Heaven. No one ever yet expected that a revival of +religion would commence in a ball room; or that thoughtless sinners +would be converted by going to a cotillion. These significant facts +plainly show on which side of the dividing line, between the church and +the world it is to be placed. They forbid mistake. + +Dancing, so far from being a means of Grace, is a part of a counter +system of means; devised by the God-forgetting, pleasure-seeking +multitude, to exclude their Maker from their minds and from his own +world. Their chief desire is to banish all serious thoughts of their +sinfulness, guilt and danger; of their obligations and duties to their +Creator; and of death, judgment and eternity. To escape reflection they +flee to the excitements of the dance and of the revel; where art +exhausts its skill and music lavishes its power to divert and engross +the attention. Amid scenes of delusive splendor, which, to the youthful +imagination, appear as enchanting as the creations of poetic fancy, they +contrive for a brief season to lose the pang of remorse, and to snatch a +draught of feverish and unsatisfactory joy. True happiness and solid +peace are perpetual strangers in the artificial gayeties, and gaudy +splendors of fashionable circles; where too often the honied words of +flattery disguise a hollow heart; and the studied smile, and merry +laugh, are assumed to conceal the sting of envy, jealousy and chagrin. +The bright illusions by which the young are spell-bound, gradually fade +away before the light of experience. And it is no uncommon thing in +these resorts of worldly pleasure, to find the utmost gayety of manner +in unnatural union with sadness of soul, produced by the discovery of +the selfish passions, covertly working beneath the surface in all minds +present; or by the sudden and irresistible conviction of its folly as an +occupation for an immortal being. Especially on the return of the +votaries of pleasure to the solitude of their chamber, have they been +overwhelmed with remorse and the keen upbraidings of conscience. + +But in all this sadness there is no religion; for it is only the sorrow +of the world. It has no higher claim to approbation than the regrets of +the wilful and deliberate murderer. It cannot atone for the wrong which +it has committed; and it does not terminate in the purpose to renounce +the sin in which it originates. Hence if any spiritual good grows out of +these melancholy emotions it is by accident. + +In vain, therefore, will the advocates of Dancing attempt to escape the +dilemma in which they are involved. The practice of this amusement is +altogether a worldly matter. Its obvious tendency is to keep dying +sinners from thinking of the salvation of their souls; by pre-occupying +their time and attention with earthly delights, and by tempting them to +cast off fear and to restrain prayer. Its natural result is to incite +infatuated youth to ridicule serious Christians and faithful Ministers +of the Gospel, as fanatical, gloomy and righteous over much. It confirms +them in a spirit of levity and thoughtlessness, emboldening them to mock +at sin, to trifle with the most awful truths, and to go down gaily to +the gates of eternal death. + +No other measure is needed on the part of the God of this world, than to +keep the votaries of pleasure engaged in such vain amusements, to insure +their destruction in Hell. The more alluring this tempting bait is to +their carnal taste, the more certainly will they become a prey to the +great enemy of souls. They are condemned already because they believe +not; and they need commit no other sin than to neglect the great +salvation to perish under the withering curse of the Almighty. There is +but a step between them and death. The next hour spent by them in such +frivolous enjoyments may be their last. For aught that they know the +very ground on which they revel, may cleave beneath their feet, and +entomb their immortal spirits in eternal woe. To run the giddy round of +the amusements of the fashionable world, under these hazardous +circumstances, is as great a madness as to sport with arrows, +fire-brands and death. + +To each individual, therefore, I must say by Divine authority, in +reference to this particular pleasure, see to it, that you "Be not +conformed to this world." In opposing this message, you do not quarrel +with the speaker, but with God. Your Sovereign commands; and at the +judgment seat He will exact obedience at your hands. + +To every professing Christian, who has joined in the Dance, I am in duty +bound to say, without qualification or reserve, that he has broken his +covenant with God; by which he pledged himself to withdraw his +affections from the world and to renounce its pomp and vanities forever. +That act is a violation of the promise, as obligatory as an oath, +because uttered before high Heaven; to be governed by the example of +Christ, to live for the salvation of souls, and to labor for the Glory +of God. It is an infraction of the vow of self-consecration, +voluntarily, deliberately, and prayerfully assumed; under all the +circumstances which could impart sacredness to the verbal declarations +of dying men, to forsake all for Christ, and to be crucified to sin and +to the world. It would be just, it would be no more than you might +expect, that God would do unto you as you have done unto Him; that as +you have broken the contract between yourself and Him by neglecting your +engagements, that He should decline to perform those stipulations which +are dependent on its conditions, leaving you to perish in the paths of +transgression in which you have delighted to wander. + +The Dancing professor of religion, not only destroys himself but does +immense injury to the souls of unconverted men. He encourages all who +live without hope and without God in the world to persevere in their +neglect of religion, and to go on securely in the entire round of +fashionable amusements. They will naturally suppose that if it is +consistent with preparation for Heaven, for him to venture so far within +the enchanted circle of worldly gratifications, that there can be no +harm in their proceeding a few steps further. + +It is true, _all_ of the unconverted may not reason in this manner, +because their own consciences will testify that the misconduct of others +is not the rule of duty, but there are many who will--the young, the +ignorant, and the inexperienced, the weak in moral principle, the +vacillating in purpose, and the strongly tempted; all of whom, will be +led by the ignis fatuus light of your inconsistent and pernicious +example, away from the path of piety and peace, into the slippery and +downward course of sin, remorse, and eternal death. And at the +judgment-seat of Christ, you will appear with the blood of lost souls +on the skirts of your garments. + +The Dancing professor of religion _gives offence to his brethren in the +Church_. The fact that among this number, some of the weaker members may +be found is no excuse for the deed. At the same time we think it a point +of great moment, that the most eminent and exemplary Christians, and the +most zealous and intelligent ministers of the Gospel, of all +denominations, have put on it their seal of condemnation. They maintain +that they cannot discover any sanction for this art, in the example of +the blessed Saviour or of his holy Apostles. They contend that it unfits +them for prayer and for communion with God; and that they cannot pass +from the dissipating excitement of the crowded and noisy ball-room to +the throne of grace, and do their duty there with comfort or profit. +They say that they cannot ask God's blessing on the employments of an +evening so spent; and that the next time they attempt to warn +unconverted men of the dangers to which they are exposed in the world, +that they feel rebuked by the remembrance of their own conduct to that +degree that they are afraid and ashamed to open their mouths on the +subject. + +For these obvious reasons the Ecclesiastical bodies of several religious +denominations in our country, have expressed their deliberate opinion of +its inconsistency; and have recorded their protest against it by a +formal vote. And for the same reasons, the most active, self-denying and +benevolent friends of the Redeemer in every community, never give their +presence to the ball-room, and are deeply grieved with those nominal +Church-members who do. + +Under these circumstances what is duty? What would Paul do? Such was his +anxiety for the salvation of others, that on this account, things +lawful, and therefore much more unlawful he would resign. The tenderness +of his concern for the spiritual welfare of others exceeded so far all +selfish considerations that he declared--"If meat make my brother to +offend, I will eat no meat while the world standeth; lest I make my +brother to offend." "It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, +nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made +weak." This is the Bible rule. And against those who disregard it, a +fearful malediction has been uttered by the Great Head of the Church. +"Whoso shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it were +better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck and that he +were drowned in the depth of the sea." + +The dancing professor of religion, by his inconsistent example, +paralyzes the energies of the Church. He is a _false_ witness against +Christ and his cause. He does not recommend but disgraces the Christian +name. + +The people of the world do not esteem him more highly on account of his +conformity to their peculiar practices; on the contrary they do not +believe that he is _any better_ than themselves. They have no +confidence in _such_ members of the Church; they look upon them as +hypocrites or mere professors of religion; they do not believe that they +are converted and refer to their example only by way of excuse. They may +applaud their beauty, they may admire their wit, they may emulate their +accomplishments, they may envy their wealth, they may copy their +manners, and they may imitate their style of dress--but they never speak +respectfully of their religion. Not unfrequently they make their +inconsistencies a subject of satirical remark. "See, that Church +member!" say they, "to-day he is the star of fashion, and the leader of +the midnight dance--to-morrow he occupies the chief seat in the +sanctuary, and is in appearance a most devout and humble worshipper." + +Experience and the word of God, teach but one method by which the gay, +frivolous, wicked and proud world, can be won over to the service of the +Redeemer; and that is to hold up to its view the truth, through the +medium of an irreproachable example; on the one hand rebuking its +follies and sins, and on the other, showing it a more excellent way. + +It cannot be denied, that the people of the world are often strongly +tempted to skepticism by the conduct of the Dancing professor of +religion. They are led to inquire--is there any _reality_ in the work of +the Holy Spirit? Here is a man that asserts that he has been born again, +but where is the evidence? What does he do more than others? With his +lips he declares that God is his portion; that religion is his chief +concern, and that Heaven is his home. But by his actions he says more +plainly than words can indicate, that his supreme happiness lies in the +world, that Christ is a hard task-master, and that his anticipations of +religious comfort have been disappointed. + +It is no wonder, that unconverted men with such stumbling-blocks in +their pathway, turn a deaf ear to the Gospel. Amid the perplexity of +mind too often produced by the glaring inconsistencies apparent between +Gods truth, and Gods professed people; nothing short of the Almighty +power of the Holy Spirit, can persuade unconverted men to believe, "that +godliness is profitable for all things." On these carnal members of the +Church, must rest, therefore, the larger portion of the guilt incurred +in a congregation by grieving the Spirit of God, and by infecting the +minds of sinners with an uncontrollable degree of levity. To their +worldliness must be attributed in a great measure, the check which is +given to the progress of the glorious Gospel in converting perishing +souls from Satan unto God. And it is a question which they must settle +with their consciences, "how can they meet these charges at the bar of +the Final Judge?" + +The dancing professor of religion robs the Church of the benefit of his +services. His moral influence in the community where he resides and is +known, is destroyed. Like Samson shorn of his locks, he is destitute of +strength. He has not only lost the spirit of prayer, but he has no power +at a throne of grace, "The prayer of the wicked is an abomination to +the Lord." His approaches to the Mercy Seat become lifeless and +heartless. And it is no marvel, that eventually he deserts the closet, +the social meeting for Prayer, and the House of God. + +Such a professor of religion is a contrast to the prevailing spirit of +the age, which is characterized by efforts to enlarge the borders of the +Kingdom of God in the conversion of sinners. He lives devoid of +spiritual consolation himself, and by exciting prejudices against vital +piety, keeps others away from the fountain of life. He leads thoughtless +sinners down to Hell, whilst he tells them that he is conducting them to +Heaven. With one hand he pulls down the kingdom of Christ, and with the +other he builds up the kingdom of Satan. He betrays his Master with a +kiss. He grieves the souls of all the well wishers of Zion. He brings +down the displeasure of a righteous God on his holy heritage. He is far +worse than an open enemy, for he strews the path that leads to perdition +with tempting flowers, and he whispers peace in the ears of sinners who +are walking in the ways of death. He is a traitor among the soldiers of +the cross. He is an Achan in the camp of Israel. + +And the same inconsistency and guilt which are chargeable on the dancing +professor of religion, rest in a great measure on those members of the +Church, who, although they do not indulge in this gay pleasure +themselves, yet grant permission to their children to attend this kind +of assemblies. The danger, whatever it is, certainly is as great for the +members of the household, as for its head. And the word of God lays down +the principle, that it is the duty of Parents, to use their authority to +prevent their offspring from following any amusement in which they think +it would be wrong to engage themselves. Fathers and Mothers, therefore, +who consent that their children shall learn and practice this art, are +sadly neglecting their parental duties, and are to no inconsiderable +extent partakers of this sin of their sons and daughters. + +It is an act of cold blooded cruelty to the souls of those whom they +ought to love most tenderly. And we would ask, how can they approach the +Mercy Seat for prayer in faith, with the petition on their lips, "lead +us not into temptation,"--whilst they have thrown the tender lambs of +their little flock into the very jaws of the lion? They certainly are +not so destitute of sensibility or understanding, that they would tempt +their poor confiding little ones to dance, amid the rocking of an +earthquake, or the roaring of a thunder storm, or whilst standing on the +edge of a slippery precipice. How then can they with any claim to the +feelings of common humanity, cast their children into the vortex of +worldly pleasures, where they are momentarily exposed to the infinitely +greater evil of having body and soul dashed to pieces on the rocks of +eternal damnation? + +In view of such considerations, every Christian parent ought to come to +the unalterable determination of bringing up his family with the +understanding that they are neither to know nor practice this +fashionable amusement. + +The just application of the principles introduced into this discourse, +destroys this worldly pleasure root and branch. Their true +interpretation is the language of total abstinence,--"touch not, taste +not, handle not." They allow no compromise with this social evil. And in +cases which admit of doubt, and where it is hard to draw the line, +because the impropriety is not so manifest, they utter their interdict. +It is wrong, therefore, for Christian families, among themselves or with +a few friends, to practice dancing as an amusement. It is their duty to +refrain from it, if for no other reason, because it is one of the +distinctive badges of the ungodly world; and because they are bound to +make the line of demarcation between the Church and the world plain and +visible. In opposition, to this sacred obligation, it is a poor excuse +to alledge that it is only a family affair. The family circle needs to +be enlarged, only by the addition of a few guests, to impart to the +parlor much of the appearance of a ball-room. Safety, consistency and +usefulness, demand that every follower of Christ should renounce it +altogether. + +To see the true nature and character of this amusement we must view it +in the light of Eternity. Let us contrast the merriment and folly of one +of these gay and trifling assemblages, with the pure, earnest and solemn +worship of the glorious intelligences gathered around the throne of the +infinite God. How evanescent are their joys in contrast with the eternal +blessedness of that bright circle of seraphic intelligences! How +different is their estimate of sin, from that which is formed by the +Holy Sovereign of the universe! They jest and laugh whilst trampling +under foot his righteous laws; but He frowns on each transgression with +a look of awful displeasure, and is "angry with the wicked every day." + +Again, what an extreme of condition under God's moral government, does +the gaiety and levity of that giddy company present to the weeping, and +wailing, and gnashing of teeth, of the damned in Hell!--many of whom, in +their life time indulged in the same guilty pleasures; and with whom, +the principal actors of this scene might in one instant be associated +forever, by a single word of an offended and neglected God. + +Or who would not be shocked in turning from the contemplation of the sad +spectacle of the crucifixion; the body of Jesus mangled, rent, covered +with a gore of blood, his dying groans sounding in the ear!--to the +levity and laughter of the ball-room, crowded by those whose sins have +nailed him to the accursed tree and opened all his wounds anew. + +But look forward a few years, or months only it may be; and how diverse +will be circumstances of thoughtless trifles! They cannot live forever. +Together with us, they are treading the path to the tomb, and there is +one coming to meet them whose presence is a terror to all transgressors. +Yet into its darkness they must descend, and before that Infinite Being +they must shortly stand. + +From the noise, splendor, and mirth of the ball-room, they must pass to +the silence, gloom and grief, of the chamber of death. The giddy, vain, +perhaps, scoffing circle of revellers, must be exchanged for the +anxious, sorrowful, weeping company of relatives and friends. The showy +finery of the ball dress, must be replaced by the winding sheet and the +grave cloths. That form which under the tutoring hand of art, moved with +such grace, through all the evolutions of the dance, must lie icy cold +in the embrace of death. + +Then they will have done with earthly things. No music with its dulcet +notes will wake the echoes of the dreary caverns of the dead; no jovial +companions will relieve the dullness of the grave; no dance will fill +the void of slow revolving ages. The worm will feed on them sweetly +there, and their souls will receive according to the deeds done in the +body. + +When this event arrives the votaries of pleasure will turn pale with +terror. They will beg for life. The absorbing inquiry will be "What must +I do to be saved?" + +But then, oh! how horrible the thought--it may be too late. Unconverted +sinner flee these scenes of guilty pleasures as the Gates of Perdition. +Prepare without delay to meet thy God. Let the golden moments of life's +short day, be consecrated to Prayer, to Repentance, and to Faith in +Jesus. Then, too, mayest thou ascend at death, to that bright and better +world, where the Saints forever reign, and where from before the light +of God's countenance, sin, darkness and sorrow, flee away, and where the +soul is filled with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Discourse on the Evils of Dancing, by +John F. 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