1895
In looking over the polished floors of the Kamehameha School For Girls one almost wishes that its founders had directed that dancing should be taught and practiced upon them by the student girls. It certainly was a narrow and superficial view of the native life which held these childlike people, who did not have story books and couldn't go wild over the old catechism, should have been deprived of one of their chief sources of amusement.
Though the native dances were objectionable in many ways, they could have been greatly modified and made respectable. The early teachers not only deprived themselves of amusements from the dictates of conscience, but they failed to provide the natives with any. It was the result of the Puritan inheritance which quickly gives way when the Puritan stock gets out into the world. — Honolulu Commercial Advertiser.
Showing posts with label dancing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dancing. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, July 13, 2007
Country Morals Vary But Little With City Standard
1910
By Rev. Eliot White
The question whether moral standards are the same in city as in country probably cannot be answered alike for every comparison of urban with suburban. Some cities are notably narrow and backward, like overgrown villages, while some country places have so much civic sense and alert pride that they rank high in what we might call moral incubation, being true hatching places of better social ideals and keener ethical perceptions.
At the same time several elements in the comparison make it in the large possible to contrast city and country morals. For example, the power of neighbor opinion is considerably less in the city than in the country. By this I mean that dwelling near another person in the city does not mean necessarily acquaintance with or notice of him; whereas in the country, neighbor censors neighbor, often than not gossips about him or her and therefore exercises a certain degree of restraint upon him. Much of the laborious and often petty casuistry that harasses the typical country place and that the city dweller finds intolerable, is due to this.
Religious intolerance, with its magnifying of theological trifles, for the same reason flourishes in the country, while the city forges ahead and away from it like an express train from a stage coach. People have other and healthier occupations for thought.
At the same time the city independence has its faults. Isolation is a terrible strain for the young man or woman. The country may mean gossip, but it means united support and "company" as well, and to be transplanted from such rootage to the lonely places of the great city involves some of the severest temptations to which a character can be subjected.
The moral standards probably in themselves vary little between city and country, much as they may differ in application in the two places.
Franker instruction by parents end schools on physical matters should help boys and girls "find out things" in wholesome fashion, instead of through whisper. Festivals, open-air dances and romps are needed to feed the hunger for companionship, color and joy. More freedom under wise supervision for the children and youth of both sexes together has promise of nobler development and moral standard for both city and country of which we can all as Americans be proud.
By Rev. Eliot White
The question whether moral standards are the same in city as in country probably cannot be answered alike for every comparison of urban with suburban. Some cities are notably narrow and backward, like overgrown villages, while some country places have so much civic sense and alert pride that they rank high in what we might call moral incubation, being true hatching places of better social ideals and keener ethical perceptions.
At the same time several elements in the comparison make it in the large possible to contrast city and country morals. For example, the power of neighbor opinion is considerably less in the city than in the country. By this I mean that dwelling near another person in the city does not mean necessarily acquaintance with or notice of him; whereas in the country, neighbor censors neighbor, often than not gossips about him or her and therefore exercises a certain degree of restraint upon him. Much of the laborious and often petty casuistry that harasses the typical country place and that the city dweller finds intolerable, is due to this.
Religious intolerance, with its magnifying of theological trifles, for the same reason flourishes in the country, while the city forges ahead and away from it like an express train from a stage coach. People have other and healthier occupations for thought.
At the same time the city independence has its faults. Isolation is a terrible strain for the young man or woman. The country may mean gossip, but it means united support and "company" as well, and to be transplanted from such rootage to the lonely places of the great city involves some of the severest temptations to which a character can be subjected.
The moral standards probably in themselves vary little between city and country, much as they may differ in application in the two places.
Franker instruction by parents end schools on physical matters should help boys and girls "find out things" in wholesome fashion, instead of through whisper. Festivals, open-air dances and romps are needed to feed the hunger for companionship, color and joy. More freedom under wise supervision for the children and youth of both sexes together has promise of nobler development and moral standard for both city and country of which we can all as Americans be proud.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Evangelist Martin on "The Three Social Evils"
California, 1921
"If laws were passed in the state of California making it unlawful for men to dance with women other than their own wives, and allowing single men to dance with each other, and not with single women, the dance craze would soon be abated," declared Evangelist T. T. Martin, addressing a union meeting in the Twenty-third Avenue Baptist church yesterday afternoon on "The Three Social Evils — Dancing, Card Playing and Moving Pictures."
"In San Francisco," he continued, "statistics show that 75 percent of fallen women come from dance halls.
"The harm of the dance comes in the contact of the sexes and should be abolished for that reason. Although the dance ruins many women, the great sufferers are of the sterner sex. Where the dance ruins one woman it harms a dozen men."
Card playing and moving pictures were both condemned by the evangelist. "If card playing, one of the great social evils, is to be abolished, the women must cease gathering around their bridge tables. Were that the case, the men would not gather at their poker tables."
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, March 7, 1921, p. 8.
"If laws were passed in the state of California making it unlawful for men to dance with women other than their own wives, and allowing single men to dance with each other, and not with single women, the dance craze would soon be abated," declared Evangelist T. T. Martin, addressing a union meeting in the Twenty-third Avenue Baptist church yesterday afternoon on "The Three Social Evils — Dancing, Card Playing and Moving Pictures."
"In San Francisco," he continued, "statistics show that 75 percent of fallen women come from dance halls.
"The harm of the dance comes in the contact of the sexes and should be abolished for that reason. Although the dance ruins many women, the great sufferers are of the sterner sex. Where the dance ruins one woman it harms a dozen men."
Card playing and moving pictures were both condemned by the evangelist. "If card playing, one of the great social evils, is to be abolished, the women must cease gathering around their bridge tables. Were that the case, the men would not gather at their poker tables."
—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, March 7, 1921, p. 8.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
No Tango at White House
1914
But Circumstances Obviate Necessity of the President Ruling
Washington, Jan. 15. — President Wilson apparently is awaiting the verdict of clericals on both sides of the water who are investigating the tango before placing the stamp of his approval or his ban upon this and kindred dances.
All Washington — or at least the major portion of the national capital's society which attended President Wilson's reception to the diplomatic corps, is discussing the manner in which the president evaded the question of whether to tango or not to tango?
When the crowd thinned out, toward midnight, the younger set, who had come to the executive mansion with the expectation of indulging in a modest "hesitation" or tango, waited for the Marine Band to begin the syncopated melodies appropriate for these dances. Marches and Viennese waltzes seemed to be the only music the band could play, and the word was soon passed that the President and Mrs. Wilson thought it best not to have any dancing at this, their first reception.
But Circumstances Obviate Necessity of the President Ruling
Washington, Jan. 15. — President Wilson apparently is awaiting the verdict of clericals on both sides of the water who are investigating the tango before placing the stamp of his approval or his ban upon this and kindred dances.
All Washington — or at least the major portion of the national capital's society which attended President Wilson's reception to the diplomatic corps, is discussing the manner in which the president evaded the question of whether to tango or not to tango?
When the crowd thinned out, toward midnight, the younger set, who had come to the executive mansion with the expectation of indulging in a modest "hesitation" or tango, waited for the Marine Band to begin the syncopated melodies appropriate for these dances. Marches and Viennese waltzes seemed to be the only music the band could play, and the word was soon passed that the President and Mrs. Wilson thought it best not to have any dancing at this, their first reception.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Bars "Tango" As a Punishable Sin
1914
Paris, Jan. 12. — Cardinal Leon Adolphe Amette, archbishop of Paris, in an admonition which was published in his churches yesterday, forbids the dancing of the tango as a sin which must be confessed and require penance. He also will publish an official admonition on the daring and eccentricities of modern dress.
"We remind the women," the cardinal says, "that they should observe always the rules of Christian modesty, which too often are violated. We ask Christian women to unite in abolishing certain styles of dress which are contrary to decency.
"We condemn the dance imported from abroad known under the name of the tango, which, by its nature, is indecent and offensive to morals and Christians may not in conscience take part therein.
"It will therefore be the duty of confessors to take notice of this in the administration of the sacrament of penance."
Andre de Fouquieres, who lectured a year ago in the United States, said that Cardinal Amette's prohibition of the tango would produce profound dismay in Parisian social circles.
Paris, Jan. 12. — Cardinal Leon Adolphe Amette, archbishop of Paris, in an admonition which was published in his churches yesterday, forbids the dancing of the tango as a sin which must be confessed and require penance. He also will publish an official admonition on the daring and eccentricities of modern dress.
"We remind the women," the cardinal says, "that they should observe always the rules of Christian modesty, which too often are violated. We ask Christian women to unite in abolishing certain styles of dress which are contrary to decency.
"We condemn the dance imported from abroad known under the name of the tango, which, by its nature, is indecent and offensive to morals and Christians may not in conscience take part therein.
"It will therefore be the duty of confessors to take notice of this in the administration of the sacrament of penance."
Andre de Fouquieres, who lectured a year ago in the United States, said that Cardinal Amette's prohibition of the tango would produce profound dismay in Parisian social circles.
Priest Says Tango is Doing God's Will
1914
St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 7. — Girls who whirl in the dizzy tango and kick up their heels and exhibit their ankles are doing the will of God, according to the Rev. D. S. Phelan, editor of the Western Watchman. The reverend editor is pastor of a Roman Catholic church here.
The will of God, he says, is that the girls shall get married and bear children and to do that they must exhibit themselves in such wise as to attract the attention of the sterner sex. He rails at the army of "crusty bishops and crabbed priests," reinforced by a lot of rheumatic dancing masters, who are opposing the tango.
In a tango editorial in the current issue of the Western Watchman Father Phelan says in part: "Don't mind, girls. These crusty old priests are only retouching the awful anathemas they formerly launched against the round dance so much in vogue now among our sodalities.
"People do not understand the innocent female mind. These tango dancing girls are engaged in God's work. The bewitching little miss who disports her charms in the ballroom is doing God's work as emphatically as the bishop in his orisons. But, girls, permit us to tell you that the man who falls in love with your pretty face is apt to become a better husband than one who is captured by your ankles. But, face or ankles, you have a right to fascinate him if you can."
St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 7. — Girls who whirl in the dizzy tango and kick up their heels and exhibit their ankles are doing the will of God, according to the Rev. D. S. Phelan, editor of the Western Watchman. The reverend editor is pastor of a Roman Catholic church here.
The will of God, he says, is that the girls shall get married and bear children and to do that they must exhibit themselves in such wise as to attract the attention of the sterner sex. He rails at the army of "crusty bishops and crabbed priests," reinforced by a lot of rheumatic dancing masters, who are opposing the tango.
In a tango editorial in the current issue of the Western Watchman Father Phelan says in part: "Don't mind, girls. These crusty old priests are only retouching the awful anathemas they formerly launched against the round dance so much in vogue now among our sodalities.
"People do not understand the innocent female mind. These tango dancing girls are engaged in God's work. The bewitching little miss who disports her charms in the ballroom is doing God's work as emphatically as the bishop in his orisons. But, girls, permit us to tell you that the man who falls in love with your pretty face is apt to become a better husband than one who is captured by your ankles. But, face or ankles, you have a right to fascinate him if you can."
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Man Carries Bible in One Hand, Steals Shoes with Other
1920
CARRIES BIBLE; STEALS SHOES.
Terre Haute — Leo Fairbanks held his Bible in one hand while he stole a pair of shoes with the other. Leo's doing a bit of Bible study in a quiet place now.
—The Grand Rapids Tribune, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, March 13, 1920, p. 6.
CARRIED IT BUT DIDN'T READ IT.
TERRE HAUTE — Leo Fairbanks held his Bible in one hand while he stole a pair of shoes with the other. That's what he said in the cop court here. Leo's doing a bit of Bible study in a quiet place now.
—Bridgeport Telegram, Bridgeport, Connecticut, May 6, 1920, p. 24.
Church Needs to Keep Pace With Times
Methodists from Appleton, Neenah, Menasha and Kaukauna mobilized their forces here yesterday for a far-reaching campaign of evangelism.
In his address on "What I consider the Layman's place in the Evangelistic Movement," Prof. L. G. Schussman of Kaukauna laid bare the chief failures of the present day church.
In closing his address, Prof. Schussman stated that we cannot fool the world into changing its way of life. "They know too well," he continued, "that Christ has not yet learned to shimmy his way or to one-step along the pathway of life in His ministry of doing good. We need not hope to charm souls for the Master by the time or tune of syncopated jass. Nor are souls set up as prizes for prowess in penny-ante or rummy. The old landmarks stand to guide us. We cannot serve God and Mammon. The family altar, the closest sanctuary and the song of consecration with its never ending melody of love in daily service for the Master are the three places of strength of the layman in the great work before us."
—Appleton Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wisconsin, Feb. 9, 1920, p. 2.
CARRIES BIBLE; STEALS SHOES.
Terre Haute — Leo Fairbanks held his Bible in one hand while he stole a pair of shoes with the other. Leo's doing a bit of Bible study in a quiet place now.
—The Grand Rapids Tribune, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, March 13, 1920, p. 6.
CARRIED IT BUT DIDN'T READ IT.
TERRE HAUTE — Leo Fairbanks held his Bible in one hand while he stole a pair of shoes with the other. That's what he said in the cop court here. Leo's doing a bit of Bible study in a quiet place now.
—Bridgeport Telegram, Bridgeport, Connecticut, May 6, 1920, p. 24.
Church Needs to Keep Pace With Times
Methodists from Appleton, Neenah, Menasha and Kaukauna mobilized their forces here yesterday for a far-reaching campaign of evangelism.
In his address on "What I consider the Layman's place in the Evangelistic Movement," Prof. L. G. Schussman of Kaukauna laid bare the chief failures of the present day church.
In closing his address, Prof. Schussman stated that we cannot fool the world into changing its way of life. "They know too well," he continued, "that Christ has not yet learned to shimmy his way or to one-step along the pathway of life in His ministry of doing good. We need not hope to charm souls for the Master by the time or tune of syncopated jass. Nor are souls set up as prizes for prowess in penny-ante or rummy. The old landmarks stand to guide us. We cannot serve God and Mammon. The family altar, the closest sanctuary and the song of consecration with its never ending melody of love in daily service for the Master are the three places of strength of the layman in the great work before us."
—Appleton Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wisconsin, Feb. 9, 1920, p. 2.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Pastor Defends Dancing Class for Poor
Dec. 1898
Jersey City Pastor Who Provides Means of Pleasure for the Poorer Members of His Church
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Rev. John L. Scudder, pastor of the Tabernacle and First Congregational church, in Jersey City, N. J., who has started a dancing class in connection with his church work, has done so not only as a means of keeping the young people away from other worldly amusements, but because he believes dancing, under certain conditions, is perfectly proper. Mr. Scudder when seen regarding the dancing class, said:
"We have Biblical authority for dancing. Dancing is all right within certain limitations. In the crowded section of the city, where the young people are cooped up in tenements, the desire to dance is as great as among the wealthy, who can entertain their friends and hold receptions in their own homes.
"There is no place for the poor to go to dance but to the public halls. What harm can there be in their dancing beneath the eyes of their pastor and the deacons of the church? While I believe that dancing is perfectly proper in its place, there are limitations I would place upon it."
Jersey City Pastor Who Provides Means of Pleasure for the Poorer Members of His Church
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Rev. John L. Scudder, pastor of the Tabernacle and First Congregational church, in Jersey City, N. J., who has started a dancing class in connection with his church work, has done so not only as a means of keeping the young people away from other worldly amusements, but because he believes dancing, under certain conditions, is perfectly proper. Mr. Scudder when seen regarding the dancing class, said:
"We have Biblical authority for dancing. Dancing is all right within certain limitations. In the crowded section of the city, where the young people are cooped up in tenements, the desire to dance is as great as among the wealthy, who can entertain their friends and hold receptions in their own homes.
"There is no place for the poor to go to dance but to the public halls. What harm can there be in their dancing beneath the eyes of their pastor and the deacons of the church? While I believe that dancing is perfectly proper in its place, there are limitations I would place upon it."
Thursday, May 3, 2007
No Girl Teachers, Chinese Quit
1909
No Girl Teachers, Chinese Quit; "Christian" Chinks Shown Up
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Chinamen in Pittsburgh are deserting the Christian religion because the Second Presbyterian Church no longer permits a female instructor for each pupil in the big mission conducted by the church. Since the Elsie Sigel murder, prominent members of the church have been urging that the schools have one male teacher. The church now has decided that this plan shall be enforced, and the Chinese, highly indignant, are deserting the mission. Yee Teng, who has been active among the Chinese for thirty years, was appointed Superintendent of the Mission. He disapproves of the plan now in force.
"Chinese must have individual instructors," he said. "I can't see how I am going to teach my countrymen the religion of Christ if I don't give each one a teacher.
To which we fervently and piously say: "Oh, Rats!"
CONVERTS BUY POOL TABLES
WELLINGTON, Texas — The Reverend Peter Cartwright, gambling crusader, has been so successful with a revival here that his converts raised $750, bought out all the pool tables in town and burned them in the street. The preacher also is conducting a fight against dancing.
No Girl Teachers, Chinese Quit; "Christian" Chinks Shown Up
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Chinamen in Pittsburgh are deserting the Christian religion because the Second Presbyterian Church no longer permits a female instructor for each pupil in the big mission conducted by the church. Since the Elsie Sigel murder, prominent members of the church have been urging that the schools have one male teacher. The church now has decided that this plan shall be enforced, and the Chinese, highly indignant, are deserting the mission. Yee Teng, who has been active among the Chinese for thirty years, was appointed Superintendent of the Mission. He disapproves of the plan now in force.
"Chinese must have individual instructors," he said. "I can't see how I am going to teach my countrymen the religion of Christ if I don't give each one a teacher.
To which we fervently and piously say: "Oh, Rats!"
CONVERTS BUY POOL TABLES
WELLINGTON, Texas — The Reverend Peter Cartwright, gambling crusader, has been so successful with a revival here that his converts raised $750, bought out all the pool tables in town and burned them in the street. The preacher also is conducting a fight against dancing.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Methodist Ministers Seek More Liberties
1920
Want Church Law Governing "Imprudent Acts" Abolished
Methodist ministers are tugging at the leash provided by paragraph 280 of the general laws of the church, which deals with "imprudent acts." At a meeting of 150 pastors in Chicago there was not a dissenting vote when a resolution passed, asking that paragraph 280 be abolished.
This law forbids ministers attending theaters, indulging in alcohol, dancing, card-playing and gambling. Twelve ministers expressed their views, all to the same effect, which may be summarized as follows:
"This law does not help the church. On the contrary, it keeps away persons who otherwise might belong to the church. Ministers are human and appreciate the enjoyment derived from theaters -- and other things."
--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.
Want Church Law Governing "Imprudent Acts" Abolished
Methodist ministers are tugging at the leash provided by paragraph 280 of the general laws of the church, which deals with "imprudent acts." At a meeting of 150 pastors in Chicago there was not a dissenting vote when a resolution passed, asking that paragraph 280 be abolished.
This law forbids ministers attending theaters, indulging in alcohol, dancing, card-playing and gambling. Twelve ministers expressed their views, all to the same effect, which may be summarized as follows:
"This law does not help the church. On the contrary, it keeps away persons who otherwise might belong to the church. Ministers are human and appreciate the enjoyment derived from theaters -- and other things."
--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Romans 12: "Abhor That Which is Evil"
Atlanta, 1901
Merritts Avenue
At Merritts Avenue church the pastor, Rev. R. F. Eakes, preached at the morning hour from the text, Romans xii, 9: "Abhor that which is evil." He said in substance:
"People who have for so many thousand years had the benefit of the teachings of all the prophets, of the Christ, and of all history, ought to be able to hate evil, to abhor the wickedness that seems to entice mankind. We abhor sickness and have met with large success in removing the tendencies to it in the better understanding of sanitary and hygienic conditions. Evil in the text is translated from a word meaning unhealthfulness. It is a moral sickness, a plague, contagious in the extreme and leading to death. Just as we are interested in removing disease from our midst we are interested in removing moral sickness. We must abstain from the very appearance of evil. We must have nothing to do with it; we must leave it so far alone that it will have no further flesh to feed upon; we must allow no further cause for the spread of contagion.
"Should I venture too near a case of smallpox or scarlet fever with my child and allow him thus to contract disease, all public sentiment would condemn me as a criminal. Shall I not show at least equal care to keep my child from moral contagion? Shall I risk evil influences and allow association with questionable thoughts and people, and not be likewise condemned? God seems to have exhausted the very storehouse of heaven's wisdom and power to warn men from the evil that is present in the world. He has placarded places where sin dwells, He has declared its symptoms and He has furnished a remedy therefor, and yet man despises all these things. We have had evil pointed out to us — 'Abhor that which is evil.' The general rules of the church point out many things that indicate the tendency toward evil, and which, if properly observed, will lead mankind to a higher, better life."
Mr. Eakes read a portion of the rules of the church with appropriate and at times severe criticism upon the laxity of their observance. He scored theater-going, card playing, dancing as amusements not to be indulged in, and gave sound advice in reference to these evils that some people try to wink at.
--The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, May 27, 1901, page 10.
Merritts Avenue
At Merritts Avenue church the pastor, Rev. R. F. Eakes, preached at the morning hour from the text, Romans xii, 9: "Abhor that which is evil." He said in substance:
"People who have for so many thousand years had the benefit of the teachings of all the prophets, of the Christ, and of all history, ought to be able to hate evil, to abhor the wickedness that seems to entice mankind. We abhor sickness and have met with large success in removing the tendencies to it in the better understanding of sanitary and hygienic conditions. Evil in the text is translated from a word meaning unhealthfulness. It is a moral sickness, a plague, contagious in the extreme and leading to death. Just as we are interested in removing disease from our midst we are interested in removing moral sickness. We must abstain from the very appearance of evil. We must have nothing to do with it; we must leave it so far alone that it will have no further flesh to feed upon; we must allow no further cause for the spread of contagion.
"Should I venture too near a case of smallpox or scarlet fever with my child and allow him thus to contract disease, all public sentiment would condemn me as a criminal. Shall I not show at least equal care to keep my child from moral contagion? Shall I risk evil influences and allow association with questionable thoughts and people, and not be likewise condemned? God seems to have exhausted the very storehouse of heaven's wisdom and power to warn men from the evil that is present in the world. He has placarded places where sin dwells, He has declared its symptoms and He has furnished a remedy therefor, and yet man despises all these things. We have had evil pointed out to us — 'Abhor that which is evil.' The general rules of the church point out many things that indicate the tendency toward evil, and which, if properly observed, will lead mankind to a higher, better life."
Mr. Eakes read a portion of the rules of the church with appropriate and at times severe criticism upon the laxity of their observance. He scored theater-going, card playing, dancing as amusements not to be indulged in, and gave sound advice in reference to these evils that some people try to wink at.
--The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, May 27, 1901, page 10.
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