There is No Harm in Dancing

"There is No Harm in Dancing" by W. E. Penn is a controversial treatise written in the late 19th century, specifically in 1884. The book serves as a lecture published in book form, addressing the moral and social implications of dancing, which the author condemns. Penn seeks to persuade readers that dancing is detrimental to the moral fabric of society and argues that it fosters a range of social vices and corruptions. In this passionate work, Penn draws from his experiences as an evangelist, where he claims to have witnessed the negative effects of dancing first-hand. He argues that it leads to dishonesty, jealousy, disobedience to parents, and other moral failings. Through a series of illustrations and examples, he outlines how the pursuit of dancing creates an environment conducive to sin and misery, suggesting that it is responsible for many societal ills, including alcoholism, gambling, and even murder. Penn concludes with a solemn exhortation for fathers and brothers to protect their womenfolk from the perils associated with dancing, ultimately advocating for a complete rejection of this pastime in favor of higher moral standards. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Major William Evander Penn (1832–1895) was a Texas Baptist evangelist and well known minister who preached widely in America and Europe. His visit of castles in Europe inspired him to build a castle of his own in 1888 where he and his wife Corrilla Frances Sayles Penn lived for several years. "Penn Castle" still stands in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and was featured on the HGTV show If Walls Could Talk. The First Baptist Penn Memorial Church of Eureka Springs was named in his honor. He authored an enduring hymn, The Sheltering Rock