Dancing.

White Ribbon, Volume 15, Issue 171, 16 September 1909, Page 7

Dancing.

TO THE EDITOR WHITE KIBDOX

1 >EAK M \I>AM,

I feel bound to take exception to the sentiments expressed in the article entitled “ Dancing r. Purity," appearing in the August number of your much appreciated paper. As one accustomed to think of this amusement as a proper and healthy recreation if kept within its hounds, it i* appalling to me to see it credited with all these attendant horrors, which I scarcely like to write down. I am not advocating a pet amusement. Dancing, even when as a young girl I engaged in it, ne ,r er engrossed or intutu* ated me. I preferred the more sociable “social,” where one could talk or sing or play games. Scripture asserts, however, that there /* a time to dance. In Kcclesiastes also we are warned “ lie not righteous overmuch,— Why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? ” Imagine a Virginia Carvel, a 11 eg. a Jo, a lieth or Amy, harbouring the immodest sentiments regarding the dance which the writer of the article hints at. There is much about dancing, as carried on in the present day, one would wish to see altered—the late hours, the unwholesome supper, the high heeled sjioe, the unnecessary and silly expenses sometimes indulged in. It is a tar cry from the sentiments connected w ith the dance as described hv tlie Puritan poet. — “ Come and trip it as you go “On the light fantastic toe” The writer of the article “Dancing c Purity” will not let anv luckless indiviuals who in their time have danced, give credit to themselves for any virtue w hatever. I fancy such should say, “ I am not affected in that way,” then her nature must perforce he cold and reserved!! Surely much of this is Puritanism gone mad. Let it he understood ldo not care for dancing. When an invitation to one comes, I am relieved to find a committee meeting, or any kind of meeting, to he on the same evening, so ns l may with some excuse absent myself to get the rest I require. Put I believe the majority who dance, dance for the exercise. < >ver and over again, I have seen girls dancing together and enjoying themselves amazingly. Human nature is weak, we all deplore the fact, hut 1 cannot bring myself to believe that it is so utterly depraved as to seek an outlet for its vicious appetites in the dance.

In concluding, I would desire to give honour to the brave women who will not sutler vice in any'form, who expose the dangers and follies attending our modern society in its business and in its play; hut I also w ish to say that evil, and not good, will come of the attempt to lrown down innocent amusements, to suspect evil, where it is non-existent. Faithfully yours, 8. Emma McCarthy.

Dkak Madam Kihtok,

I was glad to see that splendid article in the August number of the White LTnuox, “ Dancing v. Purity.” May it he a guide to parents who, up to this time have been uncertain a* to the advisibility of allowing dancing amongst their young people. The testimonv against dancing hv those who have enquired into the matter, seems overwhelming. In tlie face of such testimony wo must all admit that darn ing endangers the purity of our young people —bovs us well as girls. 1 here is one phase of the question not mentioned. Is dancing really the healthy exercise which many upholders the dance contend ? In a paper, “Special Medical Directions for Women," issued by Mrs Martha M. Allen, our World’s Superintendent of Medical Temperance, she quotes the following words of Dr. Dordelia A. Greene, of Castile, New \ork, Sanitorium for Women : “ Avoid thoughts, feelings, reading, or any excitement or association which sends the nerve currents and blood powerfully to the pelvis. If you dance, do not take the exercise more than fifteen minutes at anyone time, and only three times during one evening. I do not value dancing as an exercise, for the severest strain comes directly and unduly upon the heart and lower part of the trunk." We are obliged to heed words of warning like these, spoken by so great an authority, and this certainly does away with the notion of dancing being a Inaltin/ exercise. Sincerely yours iu the work, C. M. Neai..