ETHICS OF DANCING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20888, 2 June 1931, Page 6

ETHICS OF DANCING.

SUPPORT FROM CHURCH. MINISTER FORMS A CLUB. ENJOYMENT FOR THE YOUNG. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, May 28. Adelaide boasts the first dance club formed by a minister of the Gospel. Believing that dancing, if properly conducted, is a pleasant entertainment and realising that youth must be catered for if the Church is to hold its own, the Rev. F. W. Krohn, of the Semaphore Congregational Church, established the club in the hope that itf'would materially assist in his religious work. For the benefit of those who doubted the wisdom of his policy he explained his attitude from the pulpit in the course ot a sermon entitled " The Spirit of the Dance." As so many of the non-Episcopal churches are opposed to dances as a means of raising funds for church purposes, the address of this young preacher attracted more than ordinary interest. Mr. Krohn said that while many churches had refrained from associating dancing with their activities, he still thought it possible for the. Church to link itself successfully with such a pastime, not merely from the standpoint of making money, but in the sense that it was contributing to development of character and providing a means of pleasure and social enjoyment under ideal conditions. If they enjoyed dancing just for the joy of it, then it was right to dance. When the Church from time to time had disapproved dancing lie had spoken in scathing, and he thought, unsympathetic language. He knew of the joys of dancing and he had seen some of the uncouth made gentlemanly through the ballroom. He knew, too, something of its squalor and something of its power to pull down and degrade. It was agreed by Mr. Krohn that the dance halls had to answer for much, but in fairness the fact had to be faced that youth would dance. It was the call of dance. He did not think that Christ ' would hold up His hands in horror if He entered a prettily decorated room and saw young men and daintily-frocked women stepping gaily about the floor with smiling faces and sending forth peals of merry laughter. It was environment that had to be considered in the Christian viewpoint of dancing, said the speaker. If they who claimed to be Christians were going to be dancers they had to be prepared to dance in places where the atmosphere was not all it should be and they \yould have to ask themselves: "Are we strong enough ?" No danco was worth the sacrifice of religious principles. If Christians wanted to dance they should be permitted to do so as Christians and carry themselves with the dignity t pf their Master.

When anyone danced for any other reason than to express joy, Mr. Krohn went on, then it was time :o leave the ballroom. While they had the right to the enjoyment of life, it would not be right to countenance sinful indulgence. lie could see only one attitude for the Church to adopt and that was to cater for youth. He would give dancing a status in the Church by baptising it in the spirit of Church life. Why should the monopoly of all those things be in the hands of those whose motives are low and. whose ideals are low? asked Mr. Krohn. It was better that the young people should dance in an environment which only the Church could stimulate. When the Church did conduct dancing it must look after it. Its ministers must- consider it worth while giving portion of their time to enter into it with the people.