What class of persons are and ever have been most addicted to dancing; the righteous or the wicked? What churches have tolerated dancing most freely, the more worldly churches, like the Roman Catholic or the more spiritual churches? Among individual church members, which are more given to dancing, the pious or the worldly minded? Judging, then, by these facts, is dancing a practice pertaining more properly to the world, or to the church? What does Paul say of being conformed to the world? Rom. xii: 2. Can Christians engage in dancing without violating this precept of the apostle?

      How does Jesus tell us to judge of men who appear to be good? Matt. vii: 16, 17. If men are to be judged by their fruits, are not the practices of men to be judged in the same way? Can any practice be a good one [94] whose uniform tendency is irreligious? Does the practice of dancing tend to make persons who are accustomed to it more religious, or less religious? Does dancing, ever excite evil passions? Does it ever lead to intemperance? Does it lead to any waste of time or money? How does it often affect the health? If it produces these evil fruits, can it, according to the Savior's rule, be a good thing?

      How is a dancing Christian usually regarded by both the pious and the ungodly of the community? Is dancing, then, a practice in good repute for Christians? What rule does Paul give in regard to things of good repute? Phil. iv: 8. If some matter of duty should come into bad repute, would this passage justify us in neglecting it? Will it allow us to engage in anything of bad repute for mere amusement?

      What rule does Paul give in regard to the effect of our conduct on our brethren? Rom. xiv: 21. Is he here speaking of things which duty requires of us, or of the things which we can omit if we choose? If, then, my brethren are offended by my dancing, what does this rule require of me?

      How does Paul state this rule in another place? I Cor. viii: 13. How could eating meat cause a brother to offend? See verses 10, 11.

      Note.--Eating meat which had been offered to an idol is the practice referred to. There was no harm in it considered in itself (verse 4), but if it emboldened a weak brother to eat the meat in honor of the idol, it was wrong because it led this weak brother into sin.

      Suppose, then, that dancing were not sinful in itself, how must we regard it when we see harm to others grow out of it? Does it [95] not lead some weak persons into the sins mentioned above in this lesson?

      If a disciple, by any practice, conforms to the world, is brought into bad repute as a Christian, gives offense to his brethren, and sets an example likely to ruin others, is he walking orderly or disorderly? What does Paul command in reference to those who walk disorderly? II Thes. iii: 6. Should persons who persist in dancing, and cannot be persuaded to abandon it, be retained to the church?

[FBL 94-96]