Y.W.C.A. AND DANCING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 14

Y.W.C.A. AND DANCING.

Sir, —In Thursday's Herald vou publish the fact that the Aucklanc^ Y.W.C.A. has espoused the cause' of dancing and considers it one of its Christian duties to teach certain forms of dancing to the many young girls and women under its care.' I -have no word to say against dancing for an unconverted girl or woman; nor have I a word of criticism to offer concerning a worldly institution for teaching dancing. The world must have its pleasures, and wordly institutions must cater for those pleasures- But I have a word of criticism to offer concerning the Y.W.C.A., an institution that professes to he Christian—that claims to be based on the Bible, to take the Bible as its guide and teacher, and that expects Christians to support it financially. That . this institution should feel it incumbent upon itself to teach its members how to conform to the world passes my comprehension. It cannot claim guidance in the Scripture for this sort of thing. No ouq would seriously doubt that its mental, social, and physical work may be of a high order, but if it does not seek to bring young women face to face with the Son of God and seek earnestly their regeneration, then it has failed, and lamentably failed, .in its true purpose and objective. We are told that the present Y.W.C.A. board is progressive. The inference .is that previous boards were not progressive. Nineteen years ago I was closely associated with the Y.W.C.A., and the board of that day had the true perspective of things. They did not have a large up-to-date building, nor did they have many clubs and much social life, but they did stress the very thing that any institution calling itself Christian should stress, and that is the bringing of women and girls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And when that is done the finest contribution that it is possible to give to a woman has been given. Yes, that old board was progressive in God's sight and in the sight of those who know the true purpose of the Word of God, but not in the eyes of those who have lost their true perspective, if they ever had it. What shall, it profit a girl if she be. taught literature, music, dancing, gymnastic exercises, posture and gesture if sl)e is not regenerated by the spirit of God ? It is the main business of any Christian institution or church to seek first the conversion of the people and . not to be side-tracked by a great programme of social activities. Let Christian people take a good, fair and square look at the Y.W.C.A." and think twice'• before - they support it with their money. Alexander A, ; Murray,19, ; Argyle St., Herne Bay. . : April 7, 1927. ;