er institutions of learning.
But if we find the fruit injurious, to either the physical, mental or
spiritual, to such a degree that its injurious effects are not overcome
and destroyed by the benefits conferred upon us by the other two, it
should be condemned by every friend of humanity.
Every tree should be cut down, and every dealer regarded as an enemy to
his race. Some trees are very tall and _graceful_, and dressed in
beautiful foliage, but the fruit is deadly poison. Some trees are not
comely to look upon, but the fruit very good and wholesome. So it is not
the tree, but the fruit, to which we must look. Some fruit may be very
bad but not dangerous to society, because of the very small quantity on
the market, and because it is not good to the _taste_, but little, if
any, of it is used. But this is not the case with dancing, for there is
a large quantity of it on hand all the time, and a great deal of it is
used, because it is _palatable_ to the _natural_ taste of men and women.
The demand is always far greater than the supply.
This fruit being so very popular, of such great demand, we must conclude
that, as it is bound to be either good or bad, it must be _very_ good,
or _very_ bad. Now, reader, before we proceed to examine this fruit,
please do the author and yourself the justice to sign your name to the
following vow:
"I do _solemnly vow_ that I will carefully read the following pages as
nearly as possible free from all _prejudice_ and _partiality, with a
desire to know the truth_, and that I will a true verdict render,
according to the honest conviction of my own mind and heart.
"(Here sign name.)________________"
When and where are the trees of dancing to be found? They grow in the
night and generally perish with the darkness when the morning light
appears.
"This is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were
evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light; neither
cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved."--John
3-19-20.
The trees are to be found in many private residences, dancing schools,
dancing academies, seminaries and colleges, where our girls are
educated; in public halls, in side shows, in some of our _so-called_
churches, in beer shops, beer gardens, variety theatres, music halls and
houses of ill-fame. In the five last-mentioned these trees grow much
taller, larger an
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