New Methods of Recruiting Bible Classes.
THERE may be a little tinge of sarcasm in the following editorial from the New York Sun, but perhaps not more than is admissible under the circumstances:— “It seems that the dancing-masters of Jersey City are protesting against the innovation of a dancing-school which has been introduced into an Episcopal Church of that town, contending that by ‘cutting under’ in rates it is injurious to their business. The church school’s price is $1.00 for eight dancing lessons, or only twelve and a half cents each. “The rector retorts by saying that the formal sanction which the church gives to dancing will tend to increase the outside demand for instruction in the art, and thus benefit the secular dancing-masters. “Which side is right can only be demonstrated by experience. But if the churches are to enter into the field of amusement, entertainment, and polite accomplishments, may they not eventually monopolize the business? If a church can properly be used as a dancing-school, why should it not also be turned into a ballroom? Why should it not make provision for card parties, ‘smoking concerts,’ and convivial entertainments of all kinds? Why might it not be turned into a theater on week days, used as a training-school for bicyclists, tennis players, wrestling matches, sparring matches, and all athletic contests which can be carried on indoors? “The Rev. Mr. Stoddard has introduced dancing lessons into his church in order to attract young people to his Bible class, but the other exercises we have suggested would be not less alluring. Nor can it be said that any of these amusements are more incongruous with a church than is the dancing-school of the Rev. Mr. Stoddard.”