In the midst of the great conflict over slavery that is consuming the resources and human lives of the Confederate States of America, Southern Baptists remain concerned about personal piety and morality. Among the many human activities that Southern Baptists consider sinful is that of dancing. Today’s edition of the Biblical Recorder reminds readers of the dangers of dance.
More than thirty-five years ago I made a profession of religion, in connection with a young man of the same age, who seemed to be hopefully pious. We read, conversed, and prayed together at the altar. He was apparently sincere and much affected. He ran well for a season. But in less than a year, although still regular in his attendance on the public means of grace, he became cold and worldly. We roomed together; and on seeing him busy at his dressing table, I asked him where he was going. He said that he was going to a dancing party that I had previously heard was to take place that evening. I remonstrated. He replied in the usual style about the innocency of such amusements, and the evil of so much over-strictness about such small matters, etc. He went to the dance. And from that time he failed in his external consistency, so that his “last state was worse than his first.” His first step in the dance appeared to be a primary symptom, as well as an accelerating cause, of his apostacy. We believe it to be only one out of many instances in which young professors of religion have been tempted by this amusement, into dangerous, if not fatal, inconsistency.
During the war, many Baptist congregations of the South discipline and/or dismiss members for dancing. In addition, Confederate soldiers are sometimes reprimanded in Baptist newspapers for dancing when allowed to go into town on leave. While dancing is not considered the primary sin of the Confederacy in the eyes of Baptists, it is a sign of Christian infidelity.
Source: Brooke, “Dancing–Backsliding,” Biblical Recorder, January 14, 1863 (link)
