The Hastings Standard Published Daily. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1896. A TIME TO DANCE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 6, 2 May 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1896. A TIME TO DANCE.

Fur the cause that lacks assistance, I-'ur thvj wrongs that need resistance, Fur tin: future in the distance, And the- K'Hxl that we can do.

The Rev. J. ilor.iss, in his stirring and eloquent address la.st Sunday, said very truly that dancing was a perfectly innocent amusement and a very popular one in this colony. There are still people left in the world who profess to see in dancing tin- snares of the devil, a.;id for a clergyman to encourage dancing is to these Pecksniffs a sign of moral degradation. Put those who deride dancing generally have no knowledge of its enjoyments, and it is the vinegar-visaged that would deny to the young and pleasureloving the legitimate gratification to be derived from dancing. Is it necessary for us to defend dancing, which is very nearly as old as the world"? The Hebrews' danced when they (.'merged from the Tied Sea, and about the Golden Calf, which was not their maiden effort. The young maidens of Silo were enjoying the dance in the field when they were surprist d by the youths of the tribe of Benjamin and carried oil' by force according to the counsel of the- ancients of Israel; David danced before the Ark ; Socrates learned dancing from Aspasia; the soldiers of Crete and Sparta went dancing into ail assault and in old Chinese books dancing and music are described as the two most important departments of public sHairs. Goldsmith says,— Alike all dames of ancient days Have led their children through the

mirthful maze ; \nd the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestie

lore. Has frisk'd beneath the burden of three score.

Dancing probably originated Ln certain gestures which indicated contentment, pain, joy—just- as music was born of certain analogous sounds. It is one of the oldest forms of human recreation. Children and all savages are fond of it, and we may suppose that fhe cause is in the exhilarating exercise with its direct effect upon the former and its indirect effect upon the spectator. It has been utilised in religious ceremonials, while with barbarians it is the alpha and omega of a

kittle. Is there anything more delightful- for its rbytlimical motion than a Maori baka'? Dancing is incomparable as an exercise. Wo are told that " other exercises develop single powers and muscles, but dancinglike a eororpeal posey, embellishes, exercises, and equalises all the muscles at once." It is useless to deny 7 that dancing, like, other amusements, has been abused and v.'ill be a,bused, but that fact does not ail'ord a reason for condemnation, and while there are many who from honest convictions denounce dancing, there are others who with thinly - veiled hypocrisy condemn the amusement.

111 the modern world, ancl with the liigh-pres.sure speed at which we are all obliged to work, we need more

amue-mont, more gaiety, more joyousnos<. There is too little pleasure in life, and there are some who would banish even the little we have. The rebellion against ioylessness shows itself in vice. 'J'he pleasures of the .senses are good things to be wisely enjoyed and made the most of. Deprived of them, we are certain to try to liu.d in other ways the happiness denied 10 us. Lt requires rare motv.i courage in these days of plastic pi t v for a clergyman lo openly avow his belief in dancing as a form of enio-. ioent, and we admire the i'ov. J. ijoblw the more that ho " is perfectly willing ta stand up and defend his position.''