Discussions (Vol 2) - Dabney - XXIV - The dancing question concluded

Required reading
Discussions (Vol 2) by Robert L. Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'The dancing question'.

My summary
Today Dabney finishes his discussion on dancing.

Firstly, we read Dabney's fifth point of Scriptural proofs to forbid dancing.  He cites three references which prohibit the 'riotings' and 'revellings' of pagans.

Then the rest of the reading discusses whether dancing is a disciplinable offence.

What grabbed me
I wasn't expecting to see the sixth commandment used to outlaw dancing: 'None will be so hardy as to deny that the light of experience may properly be invoked in interpreting the preceptive principles of Scripture and applying them to existing practices. For instance, it is agreed that the Sixth Commandment forbids suicide as truly as the murder of a fellow-man ; and that therefore practices destructive of mental and bodily health are criminal (Larger Catechism, Question 136). But now the modern drug "chloral" is introduced, and it is found to be a fascinating sedative and nervine. May we then indulge in it causelessly — when not really necessary as an anaesthetic — for our gratification ? It is said, that when habitually used it fatally impairs the brain- tissue, tending to induce mental imbecility and premature death. If this be true, its causeless, habitual use is clearly a sin under the Sixth Commandment...This parallel receives an easy application. There is no question but experience proves the tendencies of modern dancing to be, not in every case, but in ordinary cases, unhealthy for body and soul. Medical experience has lately been cited, from the over-pampered and luxurious society of one of our cities, to testify that it was not unhealthy. Of such subjects this may be relatively true, that is, even so ill- judged an exercise as that of the ball-room may be found not as bad for the health as the pampered indolence in which such people would otherwise exist. But this admission does not at all detract from the truth that the practice is of unhealthv tendency. Other and more trustworthy medical authority testifies that modern dancing is most deleterious. Unseasonable hours, an atmosphere over-heated and vitiated, the glare of lights, the imprudent and unseasonable raiment, the unhealthy food, the excessive social excitement prompting over-exertion, all indisputably concur to make it anything but a safe recreation. An old physician, looking on a gay dance, said : " This will be worth dollars to me." The prediction was exactly verified, with the addition of the death of two young people from pneumonia. It is a vain attempt, in the presence of experiences like these, for thoughtlessness to dismiss the warning of prudence.'

An interesting angle.

Next week's reading
Read 'The Sabbath of the State'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.