Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1891 — Church Dancers Brought to Time [ARTICLE]

Church Dancers Brought to Time

Harrisburg Special. The Rev. J. W. Smith, of Wesley Union Zion Church, has created great excitement among his congregation by preaching a sermon denouncing dancers and dancing. He said: “I regret to announce that the past week has been one of worldly pleasure among several church members. They have gone on the dance floor twice within one week and shuffled their feet to the sound ol music. While church members are bouncing and jumping and swinging on the dance floor tne sinners are laughing derisively and exclaiming, ‘Look at the church members dancing!’ I wish to say emphatically that while I am pastor of this church I will get rid of these church daneers, or else you will get rid of me. If nothing happens, the Bishop will send me back another year to do business at the old stand. I have stood in this pulpit and frequently told these daneers that the Methodist Uhurch forbids it. Some of you have defied me, and now I shall exercise the law to its fullest extent. “Those who danced can eithei hand me their resignation as members, or make a public confession before this congregation of their wrong, with agreement not to do so again, or else stand church trial.” . At the conclusion of the sermon several came forward and made the proper acknowledgment. '