Phenix Gazette

For the Phenix Gazette.
Mr. Snowden—I send you the following well
written article on Dancing, with a hope that you
will give it a place in your valuable paper—as
there is an undue portion of prejudice existing
against that innocent, and most delightful a-
musement. I have lately been to some of Mr.
Genere's practising balls, and was pleased to
see them so respectably attended, and I hope,
yet to see, the company more numerous, so that
while we enjoy ourselves, we in some measure
repay him, who prepares for us these rich
treats.
JONATHAN.
DANCING.
Not a single text in the old or New Testa-
ment prohibits, or even indicates disapproba-
tion of dancing—an amusement which in all a-
ges and countries has been and still is, so uni-
versal that it almost but what dancing has been
encouraged by many wise and pious divines,
as the most unexceptionable relaxation for
youth. The ball-room keeps numbers of young
men from the gaming table, and from convi-
vial excesses; and brings both sexes together un-
der circumstances the most favorable to deco-
rum.
Two remarkable instances of dancing
being encouraged by eminent divines shall be
adduced; and it cannot be doubted that the
names of Dr. Edward Young, the amiable poet
of "Night Thoughts," and of Fenelon, the wri-
ter of "Telemachus," who promoted or sanc-
tioned dancing, will suffice to justify our opin-
ion that no precept of Christianity forbids an
exercise itself in salutary, & under proper regu-
lation, strictly consistent with purity of morals,
and dignity of mind and manners. If any text
of Scripture implied disapprobation of dancing
the learned, talented and pious divines we have
cited could not fail to discern the interdict; and
all their writings and conduct afford ample
testimony that they would not have disobeyed.
It is a well known fact that Dr. Edward Young
by his influential exertions, established dancing
assemblies at Welwyn; and when a lady expos-
tulated with him against the undue license, he
replied—“My dear madam, I know not of any
law of God or man against dancing, and I know
that it is an important part of my duty as a
clergyman, to make evident to young people
that the religious character is not only best and
wisest, but likewise permits of every harmless
enjoyment."
A priest represented to the Arch
bishop of Cambray his own remarkable success
in deterring his flock from the idle practice of
dancing: "My friend," said Fenelon, "it would
be unseemly for a grey-headed ecclesiastic to
dance: but let us not suppose we shall render
our people more fit for worldly duties, nor for
the joys of heaven, by depriving them of a
harmless solace to their cares. Let us earnest-
ly inculcate the doctrines and precepts of chris-
tianity, but let us beware of making religion the
instrument of gloomy fanaticism; in imposing
restraints not expressly commanded by the di-
vine Author and Finisher of our faith. This
would not be Christian, but Pharisaical."