Are

cause, "What harm is there in them? they any where prohibited in the divine law? And if not, must not a refusal of joining in them be the effect of sanctimonious pride?"

MISS NEWMAN.

These, and other such like questions, on account of the frequency of their proposal, the plausibility of their appearance, and the air of importance with which they are brought forward, require an explicit reply, though their futility would otherwise consign them to contempt.

MRS. DORMER.

Do let me hear what can be said in answer to them; for I own I am at a loss to conjecture. What harm, for instance, can there be in the exercise, or diversion, of DANCING, and where is it forbidden?

MISS NEWMAN.

That the exercise, or diversion, of DANCING is no sin in itself, is readily acknowledged. Action, at proper seasons, and in due moderation, is conducive, nay essential, to the health of the body. But the frequenters of nocturnal balls have no such defence to make; and their practice is as hostile to the health of their bodies, as to that of their souls. Many persons have been guilty of unintentional suicide, by going half-covered with thin attire to a revel, called an assembly; and then, in the middle of the night, with heated blood and pores opened by violent exercise, exposing themselves to the damp and chilling air of the winter season. this topic let the physician be consulted, and the increase of pulmonary diseases be well considered. Leaving the frequent injury of bodily health occasioned by these amusements out of the question, since no one will urge the promotion of health as the inducement to them; we will contemplate them in their relation to morals, and inquire how far they are conducive to purity

On

of heart and life, or hostile to it; an inquiry, surely, of the highest consequence, since the pure in heart alone are blessed; and none, without this qualification, can see God with comfort in the great day.1 We will admit that the sprightly and active sports of children are an irregular dance, and that a formal dance of adults is the exercise of children reduced to rule; and that neither the one nor the other is in itself, and in its own nature, sinful. But, having admitted this, we must ask, since the principle of any branch of conduct either hallows or defiles it,— What are the circumstances which produce in young people of either sex a love of this amusement? Is not the intercourse of the sexes the impelling motive for a fondness for it? Is not the ball-room, or even the scene of a more private dance, a place of temptation to an infringement of the divine law? 2 If it be a scene of tempta

1 Matt. v. 8.

2 Before this question is answered, let the seventh com. mandment to be compared with our Lord's comment on it, Matt. v. 28. The manner in which the apostle has expressed his exhortations, 1 Cor. vi. 18. and 2 Tim. ii. 22. is worthy of notice. He does not say, Resist 'youthful

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tion, could any one, while preparing to attend it sincerely and devoutly offer up the Lord's prayer? Is not the mode of ornamenting the body on such occasions calculated and designed to irritate the concupiscential passions of the mind? Can any honest cause be assigned for the exuberance of exterior embellishment, and the defect of decent clothing,' too generally adopted in such places? Is not the desire of exhibiting personal beauty, either possessed or supposed to be possessed, another usual allurement to this diversion? And to what does such an exhibition naturally tend? And where nature or age denies a claim of admiration on this account, do not the decorations of dress supply food for vanity and emulation? And are not vanity and emulation sinful emotions? Is the injunction of the apostle, That women adorn themselves with modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (as becometh

2

lusts," but Flee from them. To parley, is to be overcome: safety can only be insured by flight.

1See note G. in Appendix.

D

21 Tim. ii. 9.

women professing godliness) with good works: is this ever attended to by persons who frequent the assembly-room? What are the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, which we have solemnly promised and vowed before God and man to renounce, if they are not to be found in these circles of dissipation? Let this question be answered under a recollection that the pomps and vanities, renounced in our baptismal vow, are distinguished from the works of the devil and those of the flesh, though too nearly related to both. Is it possible that the conversation on these occasions should be, as a Christian's conversation ought always to be, to the use of edifying.2-But I desist from asking any more questions: let these, my dear Mrs. Dormer, be seriously weighed, and surely it will appear that an attendance on these fashionable assemblies is, by an implication of consequences, unlawful; whether a person considers the peril to which he exposes himself, or the sanction which his presence gives to those scenes which expose

2

1 See note H. in Appendix. Eph. iv. 20. Rom. xv. 2.