DANCING AND CARD-PLAYING DENOUNCED.
By Editor
FROM Pastor J. W. Allen, President of the Ministerial Alliance of Bunceton, Mo., we have been asked to publish the following action taken by the Cumberland Presbyterian Synod of Missouri, representing 20,000, at a recent session in the above town:— 1. That we discourage and condemn the public and parlor waltzing and dancing as one of the church's greatest hindrances, and affords one of the mightiest stumbling-blocks over which the world falls; that public and private sentiment should be created against the practise, inasmuch as it is dangerous to virtue. 2. That card-playing in a social way is not conducive to the good influence of church members, and that it be discouraged; especially the practise of card-playing for prizes, be not only discouraged, but classified with other forms of gambling, and be condemned as such; and that our influence be used against the divorce custom that is becoming so prevalent in the land. 3. That suitable books and literature should be placed in the homes of the people that they may inform themselves on this subject [the waltz], and that every minister of the Gospel should preach9against the waltz and dance as conducted in these modern days, believing that they are dangerous to virtue and ruinous to morals. The resolutions are none too strong; nay, are not strong enough. If Christians really knew Christ, they would not only want to spend the time in some more useful and edifying way, but would want to set no bad example before those who made no profession of religion. It reveals the dangerous, critical time of the professed church when such action is necessary.