| 459 and cannot profit; we here continue to say let such expelled persons be first reconciled to his injured brother, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, or in case of dissatisfaction with our decision take an appeal and reverse it, if found wrong.
Expelled persons, not complying with these rules (which we believe are in accordance with the order of heaven) whom we have been once necessitated to withdraw fellowship from, cannot be restored in any legal way, and we would say that all such clandestine creepings in to the church, is climbing up some other way, and that such persons can only be considered as thieves and robbers, we would also remind the elders that it is improper for them to re-baptize any such expelled persons, while they remain thus obstinate, as aforesaid, and that it will subject them to censure, and bring them to trial before a proper tribunal of the church.
We therefore, hope for the future, that certain officious, forward feeling elders will be more prudent in such cases hereafter,
We remain yours in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant,
WILLIAM MARKS, }PRESIDENTS.
CHARLES C. RICH, }
Councillors [Councilors].
Samuel Bent, James Alred,
L. D. Wilson, Alpheus Cutler,
David Fulmer, George W. Harris,
Thomas Grover, Aaron Johnson,
Newell Knight, W. Huntington, sen.
Leonard Sobey, H. G. Sherwood,
Hosea Stout, Clerk.
To the Editor of the Times and Seasons.
DEAR SIR:-As you are placed as a watchman in Zion, and your opinion is respected by the members of the church, I should be very much gratified by your informing me, and not only me, but the public, through the medium of your valuable paper, the Times and Seasons, what your views are in regard to balls and dancing, as it has lately existed in our city.
I assure you Sir, that it is not through any captious feeling that I make the request, but as I am the father of a family, having both sons and daughters, over whom the great God has placed me as a father and a watchman, and to whom I feel responsible for the conduct of my children: being moreover an elder in the church, I feel desirous to know what to teach my children, and the world. I have heretofore been very scrupulous about these matters, with regard to this thing, some being for, and some against the principle. I wish Sir, not to be superstitious, but know what is right and then do it. There are many others who possess the same feelings as myself, and who would feel highly gratified by an expression from you relative to this subject.
With sentiments of respect
I am Sir, yours in the ever-
lasting covenant,
A FATHER AND ELDER IN ISRAEL.
P. S. If the prophet could spare time, and would favor us with his views on the subject, I should feel highly gratified.
In answer to the above, if our opinion is considered worth anything, we are free to give it.
We have always considered that there existed on the minds of the religious community, a great deal of unnecessary superstition in relation to dancing, but perhaps this feeling is engendered more through other associations and evils connected with it, than from the thing itself. There certainly can be no harm in dancing in and of itself, as an abstract principle, but like all other athletic exercises, it has a tendency to invigorate the system and to promote health. Gymnastic exercises were considered as necessary in former days as any other part of tuition, and in England, and in other parts of Europe, they have been revived of late, and are considered beneficial; and even in America, in the east, we have accounts of gymnastic exercises being introduced, and practiced even by the ladies;-wrestling, running, climbing, dancing, or anything that has a tendency to circulate the blood is not injurious, but must rather be considered beneficial to the human system, if pursued in moderation.-Therefore, looking at dancing merely as an athletic exercise, or as something having a tendency to add to the grace and dignity of man, by enabling him to have a more easy and graceful attitude, certainly no one could object to it. So much then for dancing as a science.
We find by referring to the scriptures that dancing was not only tolerated, but practiced as a religious rite in olden times. In the second book of Samuel, vi chapter 13th and 14th verses, we have an account of a day of rejoicing. When the ark of God was brought from the house of Obededoin to the city of David with gladness we read; "and it was so, that they that bear the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings, and David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." Here was a man of God engaged on one of the most solemn religious exercises, and dancing was one prominent part of the ceremony. We find also by a reference to the
(page 459) |
