Dancing on the Roof of a Church.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 624, 13 December 1890, Page 4

Dancing on the Roof of a Church.

The Scotch have a saying — ' The nearer the kirk, the farther from grace,' and the truth of it is queerly illustrated in wicked San Francisco, as thus described by a writer in the World:— On Mason-street, between Eddy and Ellis, is located a structure dedicated to the Lord, and here the members meet on a Sabbath afternoon in devout prayer. Next door to this saintly structure is the notorious bagnio kept by Mollie Woodward. For sometime past it has been the praotice of the inmates of this resort to array themselves in Mother Hubbard wrappers and take possession of their roof on a Sunday afternoon. Singing, indecent dancing, and loud, boisterous talk, with an occasional remark to someone in the church, has afforded them considerable amusement. Just think of respectable people living near this resort who have children growing up, and how disgusting it must be to them. How would any of my readers feel who had a twelve- year old daughter who was compelled to witness a lot of brazen women with their clothes above their knees dancing on a house top ? You would rebel, and have good cause for t.o doing. The church folks have suffered silently, and prayed that decency would gain control of the debased minds. I am not given to prayer myself, and don't . think it will reach this case, but I have a forcible manner of handling such cases,. and can tell Miss Mollie that if I bear any more complaints I will make matters decidedly warm.