DRESS AND THE DANCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1891, 28 October 1913, Page 7

DRESS AND THE DANCE.

-s—» — ARCHBISHOP ON MODERN FASHION. In St. Andrew's Cathedral recently the Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Wright) had occasion to refer to what he termed one of tlio most dangerous symptoms of this ago. / "A great thinker said there is a 1 ' paucity of Christians, considering the number of them,' and lie- meant true," said the Archbishop, "Are we to-day afraid of the infidol literature that comes to our tables with its dangerous teachings? No. Because the heresies of such must in time be exposed and exploded. Think of Voltairo m Geneva, and the houso Whence those trenchant 'remarks against Christianity cam© forth; to-Jay that house has become a Bible house. ! "Or, again, are We greatly troubled when directly attacked? No. is healthy, and makes the Church fertile. It fs then Christians claim their Master's promiso: 'Blessed are ye when men, 1 shall persecute you,' ana so an. There is no danger hero. "But a real danger comes in when anything that saps the morality - and virility of Christians is introduced. "In theso times there seems .to bo a spirit of laxity in the air. People seem to think that so long as they_flolu somo conception of the Christian faith, thoy can do as they like. Tins is polled broad-mindedness; in rcaiity, it is a fetish which many are using to cloak their want of eclf-coiifcrol. In olden times our forefathers suffered from overstrictness; there is a want of delicacy in the dress of to-day. One lady said recently: 'I don't care what I wear so long as I startle people. bucli people forgot the sense of, proper decorum, the power of a good woman, and unlock the forces of passionate dsiro which cast aside a noble selfrestraint to work all manner of grievous mischief. In Melbourne, we rend, two or threo women not properly dresscd TVd'O ordered out of a ballroom, and I venture to say 1 would like to see that firm and dignified stand taken by other hostrcssw. . "Nor is this all. Some of the dances of tlio present hour are fraught with subtle suggestions that much work untold mischief. London 'Punch,' which, like so many of our best 'dailies,' endeavours to develop a high moral tone, had a cartoon a short time ago, wherein was depicted a young man in the height of fashion, saying, 'Mr. Punch, do you "tango"?' 'No,' is the reply, 'but I kick 1® " His Grace felt that the time had come for a little plain speaking- on the matters; too long had the voico_of publie and definite protest been silent in theiland. These tilings came from an irregulated and godless wealth that •satiated itself witli sensuous pleasures, and poisoned the air of the world with its far-reaching and corrupt- influences. "The symptoms are thoso of a docadpjit civilisation," the, preacher added. "Tho niintl goes back to the times of the Borgins and of the first Napoleon, when the diaphanous dresses of the women and the want of restraint ill men and women alike produced the cause that sapped the morality and virility of the people. This is not a pagan land; yet even jmgnn lifted Ins voice in protesE against symptoms that lie could see would load to the destruction of socicty. Those are Christian times, and people are salving Iheir consciences with tho thought—tlmt all will ho'well at tho end. But I warn them that they cannot claim tho protection and salvation of Christ if they do theso things, and that at tho end air will not be well. " 'Jesus is the Lord,' this was the Apostles'- cry. Let it be ours, too." In closing, the Archbishop made_ a strong apnoal to parents and guarrlians to keep their sens.and daughters from the accursed things. Let them not be wearv in well-doing, lest tho _ fair name of Australia should b* tarnished in tlioir day and Eosrieration."