DANCING DISCUSSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 263, 7 November 1945, Page 4

DANCING DISCUSSED

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE, BUI CARE RECOMMENDED. n <P-A.) Invercargill, Nov. C, Dancing was discussed at length at the afternoon session of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to-day. The discussion was taken jn private and later a resolution, which was carried, was handed to the Press. This reaffirmed several sections of the 1939 Assembly on dancing and includes a new section, which drew the attention of congregations where dancing was carried on at Church functions, to the need for great care in the matter and gave Instructions to sessions which permitted dancing to control and supervise it, and set out recommendations for their guidance, The resolution stated, in part: “Dancing is one of the matters upon “which every Christian has full liberty of conscience, and, therefore, the Assembly disclaims entirely any right, or power, to dictate to its people on the subject. It believes that honest differences of opinion on dancing exist, and that the question calls for the exercise of the very difficult virtue of true Christian tolerance, which will enable one to say 'let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.’ "In view of the popular character of dancing as an amusement, the Assembly thinks it Is its right and duty to call the serious attention of its people to certain aspects of this question. It deplores excesses and abuses of the present dancing craze and regrets that many modern dances are unworthy of our Christian civilisation and culture, and grieves exceedingly that the open and social use of liquor at public and private dances has produced disastrous results in not a feti“ Ilves.

"The Assembly, accordingly, warn* parents and guardians of the dangers that threaten young life and exhorts hosts and hostesses to discharge their responsibilities with scrupulous care and caution, and urges its members that, before exercising their liberty at action, they should fully consider the facts and act as Christian love end wisdom direct.” j The resolutipn set forth the fcW lowing reeemmendatlons for the guraance of sessions:

"(1) That all Church functiaaat which provide for dancing programme, should have approval ot the session and duly appointed representatives of the sessions should be present. “(2) That such function! should bH purely Church functions, and net open to the general public. “(3) That dancing should not be used as a means of raising money Church purposes. The Assembly commends to our congregations, and to our young people, the idea of direct giving as the method most consistent with the dignity and sacrificial spirit of the Church.” In moving that the discussion be in private, the Rev. F. H. Robertson (Christchurch) said it was not intended that the question of dancing generally should be discussed, but only the question of dancing in connection with Church functions and Church organisations. Therefore, It was purely a domestic issue. He thought that if the discussion were reported a wrong impression might 'be conveyed. The motion was earned by 98 vote* to 64.