My father and mother considered dancing a sinful amusement; but as my
inclination to follow it was so strong, they finally forbore to admonish
me further.
"When I was about twenty years of age my mother died. I was then
residing at a distance from home. When mother's illness became alarming,
I was summoned home. I was tenderly attached to my mother, and my grief
was overwhelming when I saw that she must die. A short time before her
death, she said to me one day, when we chanced to be left alone, 'My
dear son, there is one subject upon which I wish to speak with you, 'ere
I leave you for ever. You know I have ever considered dancing to be a
sinful amusement. There may be no sin in the simple act of dancing, but
it is an amusement which certainly has a tendency to evil. I know that
you very much enjoy it, but you are now capable of serious reflection,
and allow me to ask you if you feel in a suitable frame of mind for
prayer and meditation when you retire to your room after having spent
the evening in the frivolous amusement of dancing?' This was an argument
which I could neither gainsay nor resist, and coming as it did from the
lips of my dying mother, I was much affected by it.
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