Pilgrim's Rest by Vance Ferrell

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God is calling His people back to...

Modest and Healthful Clothing - Part 3

God is pleading with His people to return to the Christian standards given them in earlier years.

As I saw the dreadful fact that God's people were conformed to the world, with no distinction, except in name, . . my soul felt deep anguish. . Said the angel, as with sorrow he saw the pro fessed people of God loving the world, partaking of its spirit, and following its fashions; Cut loose! cut loose; lest He appoint you your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers outside the city.

While you make yourself appear like the world, and as beautiful as you can, remember that the same body may in a few days be food for worms. And while you adorn it to your taste, to please the eye, you are dying spiritually. God hates your vain, wicked pride...

Oh, the pride that was shown me of God's professed people! It has increased every year, until it is now impossible to designate professed Advent Sabbath keep ers from all the world around them.- 1 Testimonies, 131-137.

If God's people had not greatly de parted from Him, there would now be a marked difference between their dress and that of the world. . The line of dis tinction between them and the Israel of God must be more plain or the curse which falls upon worldlings will fall on God's professed people.

Your pride, your love to follow the fashions of the world, your vain and empty conversation, your selfishness, are all put in the scale, and the weight of evil is fearfully against you.— 1Testimonies, 189-190.

There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable. —Christ Object Lessons, 154.

The dress reform is treated by some with great indifference and by others with contempt, because there is a cross attached to it. For this cross I thank God. It is just what we need to distinguish and separate God's commandment-keeping people from the world. The dress reform answers to us as did the ribbon of blue to ancient Israel.— 3 Testimonies, 171.

A modest, godly woman will dress modestly.— 4 Testimonies, 643,

I have worn a light corded skirt since I was fourteen years of age, not for show but for comfort and decency.— 1 Testimonies 425.

As we see our sisters departing from simplicity of dress, and cultivating a love for the fashions of the world, we feel troubled. By taking steps in this direction they are separating themselves from God and neglecting the inward adorning. . Satan invented the fashions in order to keep the minds of women so engrossed with the subject of dress that they could think of but little else. . . They are con forming to the world in the matter of dress; and while they are doing so, souls whom they might have helped by letting their light shine in good works are strengthened in their unbelief by the inconsistent course of these professed Christians. . .Fashion is constantly chang ing and our sisters follow in its wake. . . The Lord is displeased with the pride manifested among His professed people. He is dishonored by their conformity to the unhealthful and immodest and ex pensive fashions of this degenerate age. Thus has been developed the pride of heart indulged by a people that profess to have come out from the world and to be separate. .. I have been shown that the main cause of your backsliding is your love of dress. . .Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. . . There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with our faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion.— 4 Testimonies, 628-648.

Will not those professing to be fol lowers of the meek and lowly Jesus clothe themselves in modest apparel, adorning themselves with good works, as becometh women professing godliness? Great neglect has been shown in the mat ter of bringing our church members up to the standard of the Bible in this matter. After admonition, after time for Bible study and reflection, those who are walk ing contrary to the Scriptures, and will not reform, should be suspended from the church. The church is weakened, her power is enfeebled, her influence is limited because church members fail to live in accordance with the directions of the Bible. The example of those who fol low the fashions of the world has a dis astrous effect upon other member of the church. - Review & Herald, June 2, 1891.

The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconse crated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?—6 Testimonies, 371.

The church is in a great degree responsible for the sins of her members. She gives countenance to evil if she fails to lift her voice against it.- Prophets & Kings, 651.

Satan is constantly devising some new style of dress. . . and he exults when he sees professed Christians eagerly accepting the fashions that he has in vented.— 4 Testimonies, 634.

TIME TO RETURN TO THE OLD PATHS

Those who come up to every point, and stand the test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain and thus be fitted for translation.— 1Testimonies, 187.

If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: "God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people. . . Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If they will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge, "they are joined to their idols, let them alone," and they pass on to their work, leaving those with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the con trol of evil angels.- 1 Testimonies, 187.

Why is it so hard to lead a self- denying, humble life? Because professed Christians are not dead to the world. It is easy living after we are dead. . . They have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as possible and yet go to heaven.- 1 Testimonies, 131.

I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God.— 1 Testi monies,132.

God hates your vain, wicked pride and He looks upon you as a whited sepul cher, full of corruption and uncleanness within.— 1 Testimonies, 134.

They should let their dress be modest, different from the world around them.— 1 Testimonies, 135.

I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. Such pride should not be suffered in the church.— 1 Testi­ monies 136.

The time that you spend standing before the glass preparing the hair to please the eye, should be devoted to prayer and searching of heart.— 1 Testi monies, 162.

Many are going directly contrary to the light which God has given to His people, because they do not read the books which contain the light and know ledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings. The volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy, and also the Testimonies, should be intro duced into every Sabbath-keeping family. . . and be read again and again.—5 Testi monies, 681.

It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scrip tures, and then the downward march to perdition.— 4 Testimonies 211.

Those who turn away from the light God has given, or who neglect to seek it when it is within their reach, are left in darkness.— Great Controversy, 312.

Many a soul who was convinced of the truth has been led to decide against it by the pride and love of the world dis played by our sisters ... all heaven is marking the daily influence which the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world. . . Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert. —4 Testimonies, 641.

Repentance is genuine when re formation takes place.— Special Testimonies, Series B, Nos. 2 & 7, p. 23.

If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts will all be right. True godliness is lacking.— 1 Testimonies, 148.

I have been shown that the princi ples that were given us in the early days of the message are as important and should be regarded as conscientiously today as they were then.—9 Testimonies, 158.

I would that people might see the inconsistency of our being God's com mandment-keeping people, a peculiar people, and yet feel that we must copy after the world in order to make our work successful.— Loma Linda Messages, 184.

But the sins that control the world have come into the churches, and into the hearts of those who claim to be God's peculiar people. . . They find pleasure in dress and the indulgence of appetite. The things of the world are their idols.— 5 Testimonies, 456.

Oh, what a day is before us! What sifting there will be among those who claim to be the children of God.—Testimonies to Ministers, 163.

All who leave the common track of custom, and advocate reform, will be op­ posed, accounted mad, insane, radical, let them pursue ever so consistent a course. —2 Testimonies, 377.

I asked the angel why simplicity had been shut out from the church, and pride and exaltation had come in. I saw that this was the reason why we have almost been delivered into the hands of the enemy.— 1 Testimonies, 114.

I do not speak unadvisedly when I say that the way in which women clothe themselves, together with their indul gence of appetite, are the greatest causes of their present feeble diseased condition. —Disease and Its Causes, 110-111.

This is no trivial matter to be pas sed off with a jest. The subject of dress reform demands serious reflection and much prayer.— 4 Testimonies, 461.

He is dishonored by their con formity to the unhealthful, immodesty and expensive fashions of this degenerate age. — 4 Testimonies, 634.

The eyes of God's people seem to be blinded, while the church is fast drift ing into the channel of worldliness.—4 Testimonies, 513.

He made the infinite sacrifice, not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, re-beautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.— 5 Testimonies, 537.

Her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomp lish His will through them. . . the means employed must be in harmony with His character.—5 Testimonies, 189.

I have been shown that the great est reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. - 3 Testimonies, 255.

The church has received warning after warning. The duties and dangers of God's people have been plainly revealed. But the worldly element has proved too strong for them. Customs, practices, and fashions which lead the soul away from God, have been for years gaining ground, in defiance of the warnings and entreat ies of the Holy Spirit; until at last their ways have become right in their own eyes, and the Spirit's voice is scarcely heard. . . Those who are not wholly con secrated to God may be led to do the work of Satan, while yet they flatter themselves that they are in the service of Christ.-5 Testimonies, 103.

No matter how zealous men may be in their observance of religious ceremon ies, the Lord can not accept them if they persist in willful violation of one of His commandments.— Patriarchs & Prophets, 634.

Those who worship at fashion's altar have but little force of character. .. and their lives accomplish no worthy end. —4 Testimonies, 644.

God will have a people separate and distinct from the world.— 1 Testimonies, 137.

From what was shown me, but a small number of those now professing to believe the truth would eventually be saved-not because they could not be saved, but because they would not be saved in God's own appointed way.—2 Testimonies, 445.

Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise.— Desire of Ages, 356.

No man can be true to principle without exciting opposition.— Desire of Ages, 356.

Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation.— Testimonies to Ministers, 431.

As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company the belong,— 1 Testimonies, 100.

Some will not bear this straight testimony, they will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.— 1 Testimonies, 181.

Think ye that God will receive, honor and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name?— 1 Testimonies, 287

Those who are uniting with the world, are receiving the worldly mold, and preparing for the mark of the beast. —5 Testimonies, 216.

Obedience is the test of disciple- ship.— Mount of Blessing, 124.

We deny Him . . by conformity to the world . . or costly apparel.- 1 Testi monies, 304.

Love of dress may become an idol. —4 Testimonies, 632.

The character is considered of less importance than the dress.— 4 Testi monies, 642.

The words of Scripture in regard to dress should be carefully considered. We need to understand that which the Lord of heaven appreciates in even the dressing of the body. All who are in earnest in seeking for the grace of Christ will heed the precious words of instruction in spired by God. Even the style of the apparel will express the truth of the gospel. —6 Testimonies, 96.

Fashion and display absorb the means that might comfort the poor and suffering. They rob the world of the gos pel of the Saviour's love. Missions lan guish. Multitudes perish for want of Christian teaching .—Ministry of Healing, 287.

My sisters, if you would bring your manner of dressing into conformity with the rules given in the Bible, you would have an abundance with which to help your poorer sisters. You would have not only means, but time.— Ministry of Heal ing, 207.

Satan is constantly devising some new style of dress that shall prove an in jury to physical and moral health; and he exults when he sees professed Christians eagerly accepting the fashions that he has invented.— 4 Testimonies, 634.

Many have become life-long invalids through their compliance with the de mands of fashion.— 4 Testimonies, 635.

Will men and women professing the most solemn truths ever borne to mortals, be true to principle? If they would have an influence to lead the world to serious reflection, they must be; their dress and conversation must be in strict accordance with their peculiar faith.— 5 Testimonies, 128.

Because of the irreverence in atti tude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned His face away from those assem bled for His worship.

All should be taught to be neat, clean, and orderly in their dress, but not to indulge in that external adorning which is wholly inappropriate for the sanctuary. There should be no display of the apparel; for this encourages irreverence.—5 Testimonies, 499.

The idolatry of dress is a moral dis ease.— 6 Testimonies, 96.

Love of dress and pleasure is wrecking the happiness of thousands.— 3 Testimonies 366.

For Christ's sake, whose witnesses we are, we should seek to make the best of our appearance.— 6 Testimonies, 96.

Christians should follow Christ and make their dress conform to God's word. They should shun extremes.— 1 Testi monies, 459.

Oddity and carelessness in dress have been considered a special virtue by some. Such take a course which destroys their influence over unbelievers.—7 Testimonies, 275.

We as a people do not believe it our duty to go out of the world to be out of fashion. If we have a neat, plain, modest, and comfortable plan of dress, and world lings choose to dress as we do, shall we change this mode of dress in order to be different from the world? No, we should not be odd or singular in our dress for the sake of differing from the world, lest they should despise us for so doing. Christians are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Their dress should be neat and modest, their conversation chaste and heavenly, and their deportment blame less.— 1 Testimonies, 424.

Those to whom God has entrusted time and means that they might be a blessing to humanity, but who have squandered these gifts needlessly upon themselves and their children win have a fearful account to meet at the bar of God.— 4 Testimonies, 633.

In dress it is our privilege to honor our Creator.— Education, 248.

Evidence that the taste is converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord.— Acts of the Apostles, 523.

Simplicity of dress will make a sens ible woman appear to the best advantage. We judge of a person's character by the style of dress worn. Gaudy apparel betrays vanity and weakness. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and ap propriate attire.— 4 Testimonies, 643.

In the tabernacle service, God speci fied every detail concerning the garments of those who ministered before Him. Thus we are taught that He has prefer ence in regard to the dress of those who serve Him. Very specific were the direc tions given in regard to Aaron's robes, for his dress was symbolic.— 6 Testimonies, 96.

The teachers should set a right example before the youth, in spirit, in deportment, and in dress. They should be attired in plain, simple garments.— Testi monies on S. S. Work, 42.

One of the points upon which those newly come to the faith will need instruc tion is in the subject of dress.— 6 Testimonies, 96.

I have seen an angel standing with scales in his hands, weighing the thoughts and interest of the people of God, especially the young. In one scale were the thoughts and interest tending Heaven ward; in the other were the thoughts and interest tending to earth. And in this scale were thrown all the reading of story books, thoughts of dress and show, vanity and pride, etc. Oh, what a solemn mo ment! The angels of God standing with scales, weighing the thoughts of His pro fessed children—those who claim to be dead to the world and alive to God. The scale filled with thoughts of earth, vanity, and pride quickly went down, notwith standing weight after weight rolled from the scale. The one with the thoughts and interest tending to Heaven went quickly up as the other went down, and oh, how light it was.- 1 Testimonies, 124.

Your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it? Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert.-4 Testimonies, 461.

It [the clothing] should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. -Ministry of Healing, 288.

Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches, and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. -4 Testi monies, 647.

There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner in consistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.—' 1 Testimonies, 648.

We obey God because He said to. Adam and Eve questioned why a certain tree in the garden should be kept from them. But that particular tree was wrong for them to eat of, simply because God said so. We may not always immediately understand why He asks of us as He does, but we can always trust and obey, knowing that He will only give us that which is for our best good. God and His Word is reason enough for obedience. As we yield and obey, we shall begin to better understand the reasons for His requests. Remember, He has done a lot for you. In return, do all you can to please Him. For, indeed, He is the best Friend you shall ever have.

This concludes this study, which is based on several com pilations, plus that of our own. The remainder of this tract is additional material which we have gathered for your encourage ment in the days ahead. — Vance Ferrell

CLOTHED WITH HEAVENLY WISDOM "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of know ledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” Proverbs 1:7-9.

"Let thine heart retain My words: Keep My Com mandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding. Forget it not, neither decline from the words of My mouth. Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee . . She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."-Proverbs 4: 4-6,9.

THE TRANSFIGURED CHRIST "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And [He] was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light ."-Matthew 17:1-2.

"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the candlesticks, One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire. And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters ."-Revelation 1:12-15.

ROBES OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

"We are all as an unclean thing, and all our rightousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon Thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee. "-Isaiah 64:6-7

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My judgment was as a robe and a diadem. "-Job 29:14.

"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion. Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. "-Isaiah 52:1.

"I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy."-Psalm 132:16.

"And He answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. "-Zechariah 3:4.

"But the Father said to his servants: Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him ."-Luke 15:22.

"And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."- Matthew 22:11-12.

FINE LINEN AND WHITE RAIMENT "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels ."-Revelation 3:3.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."-Revelation 3:17-18.

"And round about the throne were four and twen ty seats: And upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold ."-Revelation 4:4.

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kin dreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands. "-Revelation 7:9.

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."- Revelation 19:7-8.

"So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty, for He is thy Lord, and worship thou Him . . The King's daugh ter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle work. The virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto Thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: They shall enter into the King's palace ."-Psalm 45:11,13-15.

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall be joyful in my God. For He hath clothed me with the gar ments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself,"-Isaiah 61: 10.

"And I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth: For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her hus band. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. For the former things are passed away."-Revelation 21:1-4.

"We build upon Christ by obeying His Word. It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, that is right eous, but he who does righteousness. Holiness is not rap ture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father. When the child ren of Israel were encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was not enough for them to have a knowledge of Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone with not bring them into possession of the vineyards and olive groves of the goodly land. They could make it theirs only by occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising living faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves, while they obeyed His instructions. "—Mount of Blessing, 149.

CLOTHING IN BIBLE TIMES

Materials: Fig leaves (Gen 3:7), skins (Gen 3:21), Hair {Mum 31:20), Leather (2 Kg 1:8; Matt 3:4), Linen (Ex 28:5-8; 39-40; Gen 41:42; Ezek 9:2; Lk 16:19; Isa 3:23; Ezek 16:10-13), Wool (Lev 13:47-52,59; Prov 31:13; Ezek 34:3; 44:17). Mixed materials in clothing (Deut 22:11).

Rules concerning clothing: Men forbidden to wear women's clothing, and women forbidden to wear men's (Deut 22:5). Rules regarding women's clothing (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3).

Hats: Bonnets (Ex 28:40; 29:9; 39:28; Ezek 44:18), Tur­ bans (Dan 3:21), Women's hats (Isa 3:20; Ezek 24:17,23), Hoods (Isa 3:23), Kerchiefs (Ezek 13:18,21).

Other articles of clothing: Shawls (Isa 3:22), Mantle (Ezra 9:3; 1 Kg 19:13; 2 Kg 2:8,13; Ezra 9:3; 1 Chron 15:27; Job 1:20), Of various colors (2 Sam 13:18; 1 Sam 18:4), Purple clothing (Jn 19:2,5), Robe (Ex 28:4; 1 Sam 18:4), Coat (Gen 37:3; Ex 28:40; Dan 3:21; Matt 10:10), Coat [sleeveless shirt] (Matt 5:40; Lk 6:29; Jn 19:23; Acts 9:39), Cloak (2 Tim 4:13; Jn 19:2,5), Embroidered coat (Ex 28:4,40; 1 Sam 2:19; Dan 3:21), Hose (Dan 3:21), Skirts (Ezek 5:3), Mufflers (Isa 3:19), Satchels [wimples] (Isa 3:22), Sashes Isa 3:20).

Priest's garments: Clothing (Ex 28:2; 29:5,29; 31:10; 39:1; Lev 8:7; Mum 20:26; Ezek 44:17), bonnets (Ex 28:40; 29:9; 39: 28; Ezek 44:8).

Modesty of clothing: (1 Pet 2:9).

Simplicity of clothing: (Matt 6:28-29; 1 Pet 3:3).

Filthy clothing: (Isa 64:6; Zech 3:3-4).

Excessive number of clothes: (Job 27:16).

Ornamentation: Bracelets (Gen 24:22; 38:18; Ex 35:22; Mum 31:50; 2 Sam 1:10), Ornaments: (Ex 33:4; Isa 3:18; Jer 2:32; 4:30; Ezek 16:11; 23:40), Chains (Gen 41:42; Prov 1:9; Ezek 16:11; Dan 5:29), Earrings (Gen 24:22; 35:4; Ex 32:2; Mum 31:50; Judg 8:24; Job 42:11; Prov 25:22; Num 31:50; Judges 8:24; Job 42:11; Prov 25:12; Ezek 16:12; Hos 2:13), Rings (Gen 41:42; Ex 35:22; Esther 3:10; 8:8; Isa 3:21; Lk 15:22), Jewels (Gen 24:53; Ex 3:22; 35:22; Num 31:50; Isa 61:10). Jewels discarded (Gen 35:4; Ex 33:4; 1 Pet 3:3), Jewels brought as an offering to God (Ex 35:22; Num 31:50).

"Let the youth and the little children be taught to choose for themselves that royal robe woven in heaven's loom—the "fine linen, clean and white" (Revelation 19:8), which all the holy ones of earth will wear. This robe, Christ's own spotless character, is freely offered to every human being. But all who receive it will receive and wear it here.

"Let the children be taught that as they open their minds to pure, loving thoughts and do loving and helpful deeds, they are clothing themselves with His beautiful garment of character. This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will here after be their title of admission to the palace of the King."— Child Guidance, 190.

"It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothful ness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. Today if ye will hear His voice, har den not your hearts.' We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness. 'But ye, brethren,' says Paul, 'are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.' It is ever God's purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul.

"Eating, drinking, and dressing all have a direct bearing upon our spiritual advancement. "-EGW, Youth's Instructor, May 31, 1894.

"What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of prepar ation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the Mark of the Beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth-these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the Seal of God in their fore heads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

"Now is the time to prepare. The Seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who re ceive the Seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven."-5 Testimonies, 216.

PILGRIMS'REST Beersheba Springs, TN 37305 USA