ETHICS OF THE JAZZ.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 June 1923, Page 7

ETHICS OF THE JAZZ.

EVIL RESULTS OF DANCING.

CONDEMNATION AT TABERNACLE

The Rev. J. W. Kemp in the course of his sermon at the Baptist Tabernacle last evening condemned both dancing and the theatre. He took his text from Exekiel, "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." In opening Mr. Kemp said that at the Anglican Church Congress held in Christchurch recently a high tone was maintained, a magnificent note was struck from the beginning, and a most gracious and spiritual atmosphere pervaded the gathering. One could not read the reports without realising that. But one report came out which widely shocked the thoughtful. and right thinking people who were interested in the morals of our young people and the spiritual life of the community. Mr. Kemp next referred to the report of a statement by an Anglican minister in Auckland from which the following extract was read: "When people said that card-playing, dancing and the theatre were wrong, and that the racecourse was 'the road to hell, , then there was some justification for thinking their judgment was warped." The same minister had said that from his earliest days he had attended theatres, and generally speaking there had been profit in it. Mr. Kemp said, I think the reverend gentleman made one of the greatest mistakes of his life when he made the statements he did. The preacher said he was bewildered to hear it declared from the platform of the Church Congress that it was quite legitimate for young people to go to theatres, to jazz, and to play carde. Mr. Kemp said he believed in a bright church and a bright religion, and if he could not make his church brighter ! than a gaiety theatre he would throw up his job. Two years ago, when he talked on morals, he was called a joy I killer. When he went to Christchurch recently he found that "thundering lie" had run ahead of him. Mr. Kemp made it clear that he was not against sweet, clean, genuine amusement, or healthy recreation, but said he was bound to express condemnation of every form of amusement that cast a blight upon the young people. Mr. Kemp said the dance generally sought the cover of the night, and as carried on to-day could not be indulged in without weakening the brain cells. He claimed that seven-tenths of the prostitution of all cities had come from the dance hall. He had statistics from five Continental cities in proof of that statement, which were simply appalling. His experience was that the. hardest woman to convert was the one who gave her time to the ballroom. Mr. Kemp also asserted that the theatre was condemned by those who (knew it best.