"The evil spirit departed from Saul." But what of music that puts the
evil spirit into men? Of songs, however sweet sounding, that are
written in the service of the devil, and sung at the high court of the
world? For this is your rule:

"Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." [24]

Like your speech, "alway with grace."

[1] I Chron. xiii. 8.

[2] Ps. lxviii. 25, 26.

[3] I Chron. xv. 16.

[4] Ex. xv. 1.

[5] Ex. xv. 21.

[6] Neh. xii. 27.

[7] Ps. cxxii. 1.

[8] Ps. cxxv. 2.

[9] Ps. xxxliii. 2, 3.

[10] Ps. xl. 3.

[11] Lam. iii. 13.

[12] Ps. xiii. 6.

[13] Ps. lvii. 7.

[14] Ps. lix. 16.

[15] I Cor. xiv. 15.

[16] Eccle. vii. 5.

[17] Eph. v. 19.

[18] Isa. lxv. 14.

[19] James v. 13.

[20] Ps. cxix. 54.

[21] Matt. xxv. 16.

[22] Ez. xxxiii. 32.

[23] I Sam. xvi. 23.

[24] Col. iii. 16.

Dancing

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under
heaven." [1]

And so it comes among the rest, that there is "a time to dance." [2]
Such being the case, we have only to find out the when and the how; for
of course, for Christians, dancing too must have its rules. In
feasting the word is, "Do all to the glory of God"; and in music, "With
melody in your hearts to the Lord"; and now for dancing the order comes:

"Let them praise his name in the dance." [3]

We are to praise the Lord with our whole lives; in our recreation no
less than in our work. You see it is all one: with that proviso you
may do anything.

"Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent
greatness."

"Praise him with the timbrel and dance." [4]

I fancy you did not expect this, secretly believing that the Bible was
all against dancing. I fancy most people would start back and say it
cannot be done. _If_ it cannot, or if by _you_ it cannot, then--for
you--the dancing question should be settled once and for all. The Lord
has given you "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness," [5]
and you are not at liberty to lay it off for any dancing gear whatever.

"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." [6]

The condition is absolute; and all doubts upon the dancing question are
at an end for you. But for those who like to inquire into
possibilities, let us search a little further.