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Pilgrim's Rest by Vance Ferrell God is calling His people back to... Modest and Healthful Clothing - Part 2 God is pleading with His people to return to the Christian standards given them in earlier years. The love of dress endangers the morals, and makes woman the opposite of the Christian lady, characterized by modesty and sobriety- Showy, extrava gant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer, and awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder. God sees that the ruin of the character is frequently preceded by the indulgence of pride and vanity in dress. 4 Testi monies, 645. I beg of our people to walk carefully and circumspectly before God. Fol low the customs in dress so far as they conform to health principles. Let our sis ters dress plainly, as many do, having the dress of good, durable material, appro priate for this age, and let not the dress question fill the mind. Our sisters should dress with simplicity. They should clothe themselves in modest apparel, with shame-facedness and sobriety. Give to the world a living illustration of the inward adorning of the grace of God.Child Guidance, 414 (Manuscript 167, 1897). Do not encourage a class who cen ter their religion in dress. Let each one study the plain teachings of the Scriptures as to simplicity and plainness of dress and by faithful obedience to those teachings strive to set a worthy example to the world and to those new in the faith. God does not want any one person to be conscience for another. Child Guidance, 429. HOW IT ALL BEGAN Man was to bear God's image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is the "express image" (Heb. 1:3) of the Father but man was formed in the likeness of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of rea son. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will. As man came forth from the hand of his Creator he was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health and glowed with the light of life and joy.. The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this rob of light continued to enshroud them. Patri archs & Prophets, 45. It was the adversary of all good who instigated the invention of the ever- changing fashions. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul .-Ministry of Healing 291. 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. 4 Testimonies, 629. Satan invented the fashions which leave the limbs exposed, chilling back the life-current from its original course. And parents bow at the shrine of fashion. ... Even life itself is frequently sacrificed to the god of fashion. 2 Testimonies, 532. NOT ONLY MODEST BUT HEALTHFUL It (dress) should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity .-Ministry of Healing, 288. It is the adversary of all good who instigated the invention of the ever changing fashions. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul.Ministry of Healing, 291. To protect the people of God from the corrupting influences of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress reform was instituted among us. 4 Testimonies 643. In all respects the dress should be healthful . Ministry of Healing 288. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood nor a free full natural respir ation. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised the clothing will be correspondingly lifted .Ministry of Healing 293. But dress reform comprised more than shortening the dress and clothing the limbs. It included every article of dress upon the person. It lifted the weight from the hips by suspending the skirt from the shoulders. It removed the tight corsets, which compress the lungs, the stomach and other internal organs, and induce curvature of the spine and an almost countless train of diseases. Dress reform proper provided for the protection and development of every part of the body. 4 Testimonies 635. With this style of dress, one light skirt, or at most two, are all that is necessary, and these should be buttoned to a waist or suspended with straps. -2 Selected Messages, 478. It [dress reform] included every article of dress upon the person. It lifted the weights from the hips by suspending the skirts from the shoulders. It removed the tight corsets, which compress the lungs, the stomach, and other internal organs, and induce curvature of the spine and an almost countless train of diseases. Dress reform proper provided for the pro tection and development of every part of the body.-Counsels on Health, 599. The dress should be so arranged that full respiration can be taken and the arms be raised above the head without difficulty. Impress upon the pupils the danger of allowing the clothing to weigh on the hips or to compress any organ of the body. An almost endless train of disease results from unhealthful modes of dress, and careful instruction on this point should be given. Education, 199. The character of the climate, the surroundings, the condition of health, the age and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood, nor a free, full, natural res piration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised, the clothing will be correspondingly lifted. Ministry of Healing, 293. It (our clothing) should provide warmth and proper protection, Ministry of Healing 288. Many a poor girl for the sake of a stylish gown, has deprived herself of warm underwear and paid the penalty with her life .-Ministry of Healing 290. Another evil which custom fosters is the unequal distribution of the clothing so that while some parts of the body have more than is required, others are insuf ficiently clad. The feet and limbs, being remote from the vital organs, should be especially guarded from cold by abundant clothing. Perfect health requires perfect circulation but this cannot be had, while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated as upon the feet and limbs .-Ministry of Healing 293. Perfect health depends on perfect circulation. Special attention should be given to the extremities, that they may be as thoroughly clothed as the chest and the region over the heart, where is the greatest amount of heat. Parents who dress their children with the extremities naked, or nearly so, are sacrificing the health and lives of their children to fashion.-2 Testimonies, 531. Your girls should wear the waists of their dresses perfectly loose, and they should have a style of dress convenient, comfortable and modest. In cold weather they should wear warm flannel or cotton drawers, which can be placed inside the stockings. Over these should be worn l ined pants which may be full, gathered into a band and neatly buttoned around the ankle, or taper at the bottom and meet the shoe. Their dress should reach below the knee. With this style of dress one light skirt, or at most two is all that is necessary, and these should be but toned to a waist. The shoes should be thick-soled and perfectly comfortable. With this style of dress your girls will be no more in danger in the open air than your boys. And their health would be much better, were they to live more out of doors, even in winter, than to be con fined to the close air of a room heated by a stove. It is a sin in the sight of heaven for parents to dress their children as they do. The only excuse that they can make is, it is the fashion. They cannot plead modesty to thus expose the limbs of their children with only one covering drawn tight over them. They cannot plead that it is healthful, or really attractive. Because others will continue to follow this health and life destroying practice, it is no excuse for those who style themselves reformers. Because everybody around follow a fashion which is injurious to health, it will not make your sin a whit the less or be any guarantee for the health and life of your children.-2 Selected Messages, 471. There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs as she should. Whatever may be the length of the dress, females should clothe their limbs as thoroughly as the males. This may be done by wearing lined pants gath ered into a band and fastened about the ankle or made full and tapering at the bottom; and these should come down long enough to meet the shoe. The limbs and ankles thus clothed are protected against a current of air. If the limbs and feet are kept comfortable with warm clothing, the circulation will be equalized and the blood will remain healthy and pure because it is not chilled or hindered in its natural passage through the system. 2 Selected Messages, 479. But our clothing, while modest and simple should be of good quality of becoming colors and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display.- Ministry of Healing 288. He that framed us never designed that we should be deformed with hoops or anything to look like them. 1Testi monies 277. Having the clothing neat and clean will be one means of keeping the thoughts pure and sweet. Every article of dress should be plain and simple, without unnecessary adornment, so that it will be but little work to wash and iron it. Especially should every article which comes in contact with the skin be kept clean and free from any offensive odor. Nothing of an irritating character should touch the bodies of children, nor should their clothing be allowed to bind them in any way. If more attention were given to this subject, far less impurity would be practiced. Child Guidance, 461, 462. Puritan plainness and simplicity should mark the dwellings and apparel of all who believe the solemn truths for this time. 5 Testimonies, 189. Lead the youth to see that in dress, as in diet, plain living is indispensable to high thinking. Education 248. Chaste simplicity in dress, when united with modesty of demeanor, will go far toward surrounding a young woman with the atmosphere of sacred reserve which will be to her a shield from a thou sand perils. Education 248. In all respects the dress should be healthful. "Above all things," God desires us to "be in health,"health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers to gether with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.*- Ministry of Healing, 288. It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body. Perfect health requires a perfect circulation; but this cannot be had, while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated, as upon the feet and limbs. In order to secure the most health ful clothing, the needs of every part of the body must be carefully studied. The character of the climate, the surround ings, the condition of health, the age and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood, nor a free, full, natural respiration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised, the clothing will be correspondingly lifted. Ministry of Healing, 293. THE QUESTION OF LENGTH In answer to letters of inquiry from many sisters relative to the proper length of the reform dress, I would say that in our part of the State of Michigan we have adopted the uniform length of about nine inches from the floor. I take this oppor tunity to answer these inquiries in order to save the time required to answer so many letters. I should have spoken but have waited to see something definite on this point in the Health Reformer. I would earnestly recommend uniformity in length, and would say that nine inches as nearly accords with my views of the matter as I am able to express it in inches. As I travel from place to place I find that the reform dress is not rightly represented, and am made to feel that something more definite should be said that there may be uniform action in this matter. This style of dress is unpopular, and for this reason neatness and taste should be exercised by those who adopt it. I have spoken once upon this point, yet some fail to follow the advice given. There should be uniformity as to the length of the reform dress among Sab bath keepers. Those who make themselves peculiar by adopting this dress should not think for a moment that it is unnecessary to show order, taste, and neatness. 1 Testimonies, 521. My views were calculated to correct the present fashion, the extreme long dress, trailing upon the ground, and also to correct the extreme short dress, reaching about to the knees, which is worn by a certain class. I was shown that we should shun both extremes. By wearing the dress reaching about to the top of a woman's gaiter boot we shall escape the evils of the extreme long dress, and shall also shun the evils and notoriety of the extreme short dress. 1 Testimonies, 464. The proper distance from the bot tom of the dress to the floor was not given to me in inches. Neither was I shown lady's gaiter boots. Their dress was the length I have described as proper, modest and health ful. It cleared the filth of the streets and sidewalks a few inches under all circum stances, such as ascending and descending steps, etc.. . As I have before stated, the length was not given me in inches, and I was not shown a lady's boot. And here I would state that although I am as dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord in writing my views as I am in receiving them, yet the words I employ in describing what I have seen are my own, unless they be those spoken to me by an angel, which I always enclose in marks of quotation. . . . but I was left to describe the length of the proper dress in my own lan guage the best I could, which I have done by stating that the bottom of the dress should reach near the top of a lady's boot, which would be necessary in order to clear the filth of the streets under the circumstances before named. I put on the dress, in length as near as I had seen and described as I could judge. My sisters in Northern Michigan also adopted it. And when the subject of inches came up in order to secure uni formity as to length everywhere a rule was brought and it was found that the length of our dresses ranged from eight to ten inches from the floor. Some of these were a little longer than the sample shown me, while others were a little shorter. . . .and having become fully satis fied that nine inches comes the nearest to the samples shown me, I have given this number of inches in No. 12, as the proper length in regard to which uniformity is very desirable. Review & Herald, Octo ber, 1867. MOTHERS AND CHILDREN I am filled with pain and anguish as I see parents conforming to the world, and allowing their children to meet the worldly standard at such a time as this. I am filled with horror as the condition of families professing present truth is opened before me. The profligacy of youth and even children is almost incredible. Parents do not know that secret vice is destroying and defacing the image of God in their children. The sins which characterized the Sodomites exist among them. The parents are responsible; for they have not educated their children to love and obey God. They have not restrained them, nor diligently taught them the way of the Lord. They have allowed them to go out and to come in when they chose, and to associate with worldlings. These worldly influences which counteract parental teaching and authority are to be found largely in so- called good society. By their dress, looks, amusements, they surround themselves with an atmosphere which is opposed to Christ. Our only safety is to stand as God's peculiar people. We must not yield one inch to the customs and fashions of this degenerate age; but stand in moral inde pendence, making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous practices. 5 Testimonies, 78. But the greatest evil is the influence upon the children and youth. Almost as soon as they come into the world they are subjected to fashion's demands. Little children hear more of dress than of their salvation. They see their mothers more earnestly consulting the fashion-plates than the Bible. A deformed character does not disturb the mother so much as a soiled dress. The child hears more of dress than virtue; for the mother is more familiar with fashion than with her Saviour.- 4 Testimonies, 643. The church should make the word of God her standard, and parents should think intelligently upon this subject. When they see their children inclined to follow worldly fashions, they should like Abraham, resolutely command their household after them. Instead of uniting them with the world, connect them with God.-5 Testimonies 499. Parents who would teach their children the evil of following the fashions of the world, have a hard battle. . What can parents say? They should set a right example before their children and although the example of professed fol lowers of Christ causes the children to think that their parents are too careful and severe in their restrictions, yet God will bless the efforts of these consecrated parents. If parents do not take a decided, firm course, their children will be borne down with the current; for Satan and his evil angels are working upon their minds, and the example of unconsecrated pro fessors makes the work of overcoming far more laborious for them. Yet with faith in God and earnest prayer, believing par ents should press on in the rugged path of duty.- 1 Testimonies, 278. It may require effort to break away from the chains of custom, and dress and educate the children with reference to health: but the result will amply repay the effort.Ministry of Healing, 383. For breaking the spell of fashion, the teacher can often find no means more effective than contact with nature. Let the pupils taste the delight to be found by river of lake or sea; let them climb the hills, gaze on the sunset glory, explore the treasures of wood and fields; let them learn the pleasure of cultivating plants and flowers; and the importance of an additional ribbon or ruffle will sink into insignificance . Education 247 . Some have said, "After I wear out this dress, I will make the next plainer." Now if conformity to the fashions of the world is right and pleasing to God, where is the need of making a change at all? But if it is wrong, is it best to continue in the wrong any longer than is positively neces sary to make the change? .. Would it not be praise-worthy to manifest at least equal earnestness to make it conform to the Bible standard? . . What are you will ing to sacrifice to correct the wrong ex ample you have been giving to other? 1 Testimonies, 640. God holds mothers accountable for the diseases their children are compelled to suffer. Mothers bow at the shrine of fashion, and sacrifice the health and lives of their children. Many mothers are ignorant of the result of their course in thus clothing their children. But should they not inform themselves, where so much is at stake? Is ignorance a sufficient excuse for you who possess reasoning powers? You can inform yourselves if you will, and dress your children healthfully. Par ents may give up the expectation of their children's having health while they dress them in cloaks and furs, and load down those portions of the body with clothing where there is no call for such an amount, and then leave the extremities, that should have special protection, almost naked. The portions of the body, close by the life springs, need less covering than the limbs which are remote from the vital organs. Disease and Its Causes, 98. Leaving the arms and limbs insuf ficiently protected has been the cause of a vast amount of disease and premature deaths. There is no reason why the feet and limbs of your girls, should not be in every way as warmly clad as those of your boys. Disease and Its Causes, 99. The shoes should be thick-soled and perfectly comfortable.2 Selected Mes sages 471. Both by precept and example the young are to be taught simplicity of dress and manners, industry, sobriety and economy. 5 Testimonies, 89. ADORNMENT AND JEWELRY In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels and need less expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe the naked. Ministry of Healing, 287. To dress plainly, and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith. 3 Testimonies, 366. Let none dishonor God's sanctuary by their showy apparel.5 Testimonies, 499. Before the august personage stood the majesty of heaven, without adorn ment or display. Desire of Ages 594. I would remind the youth who ornament their persons and wear feathers upon their hats, that because of their sins our Saviour's head wore the shameful crown of thorns. When you devote pre cious time to trimming your apparel, remember that the King of Glory wore a plain seamless coat. 3 Testimonies, 379. Here the Lord through His apostle speaks expressly against the wearing of gold. Let those who have had experience see to it that they do not lead others astray on this point by their example. That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others. 4 Testimonies, 630. I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. When the exterior is hung with ribbons, collars, and needless things, it plainly shows that the love for all this is in the heart; unless such persons are cleansed from their corruption, they can never see God; for only the pure in heart will see Him./ Testimonies, 136. In mentioning collars, I did not design to be understood that nothing like a collar should be worn, or in mentioning ribbons, that no ribbon at all should be worn./ Testimonies, 135, foot note. Have not our sisters sufficient zeal and moral courage to place themselves without excuse upon the Bible platform? The apostle has given most explicit direc tions on this point; "I will therefore. . . that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and so briety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becom eth women professing godliness) with good works." Here the Lord, through His apostle, speaks expressly against the wear ing of gold. Let those who have had ex perience see to it that they do not lead others astray on this point by their example. That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others. 4 Testimonies, 630. The Bible teaches modesty in dress. . . .this forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite admiration is ex eluded from the modest apparel which God's word enjoins. Ministry of Healing, 287. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty and purity. 6 Testimonies 96. True refinement does not find satis faction in the adornment and display of the body.-2 Testimonies, 343. Self-denial, in dress, is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, and abstain from display of jewelry and orna ments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith. 3 Testimonies, 366. When their hearts are affected by the truth, it will cause a death to the world and they will lay aside the ribbons, laces and collars, and if they are dead, the laugh, the jeer, and scorn of unbelievers will not move them. They will feel an anxious desire to separate from the world.- 1 Testimonies, 136. The material should be free from large plaids and figures, and plain in color. 4 Testimonies, 640. Christians are not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive ornaments.- 6 Testimonies, 96. The parading of ... feathers, and gold and silver ornaments is a species of idolatry.-5 Testimonies, 499. THE REFORM DRESS God would now have His people adopt the reform dress, not only to distinguish them from the world as His "pe culiar people," but because a reform in dress, is essential to physical and mental health. God's people have, to a great ex tent, lost their peculiarity, and have been gradually patterning after the world, and mingling with them, until they have in many respects become like them. This is displeasing to God. He directs them, as He directed the children of Israel ancient ly, to come out from the world and for sake their idolatrous practices, not fol lowing their own hearts (for their hearts are unsanctified) or their own eyes, which have led them to depart from God and to unite with the world. To those who consistently adopted the reform dress, appreciating its advan tages and cheerfully taking their position in opposition to pride and fashion, it proved a blessing.- 4Testimonies, 635. God designed the reform dress as a barrier to prevent the hearts of our sisters from becoming alienated from Him by following the fashions of the world. 4 Testimonies, 639. The question may be asked: "Why has this dress been laid aside, and for what reason has dress reform ceased to be advocated?" The reason for this change I will here briefly state. While many of our sisters accepted this reform from principle, others opposed the simple healthful style of dress which it advocated. It re quired much labor to introduce this reform among our people. It was not enough to present before our sisters the advantages of such a dress and to con vince them that it would meet the ap proval of God. Fashion had so strong a hold upon them that they were slow to break away from its control, even to obey the dictates of reason and conscience. And many who professed to accept the reform made no change in their wrong habits of dress, except in shortening the skirts and clothing the limbs. 4 Testi monies, 636. Nor was this all. Some who adopted the reform were not content to show by example the advantages of the dress, giving, when asked, their reasons for adopting it, and letting the matter rest there. They sought to control others' con science by their own. If they wore it, others must put it on. They forgot that none were to be compelled to wear the reform dress. 4 Testimonies, 636. It was not my duty to urge the sub ject upon my sisters. After presenting it before them as it had been shown me, I left them to their own conscience. Re formatory action is always attended with sacrifice. It demands that love of ease, selfish interest, and the lust of ambition be held in subjection to the principles of right. Whoever has the courage to reform must encounter obstacles. He will be op posed by the conservatism of those whose business or pleasure brings them in con tact with the votaries of fashion, and who will lose caste by the change.- 4 Testi monies, 636. Perhaps no question has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the dress reform. 4 Testimonies, 636. To those who put it on reluctantly, from a sense of duty, it became a grievous yoke. 4 Testimonies, 636. Some who wore the dress sighed over it as a heavy burden. The language of their hearts was: "Anything but this. If we felt free to lay off this peculiar style, we would willingly adopt a plain, un trimmed dress of ordinary length. 4 Testimonies, 637. There is no style of dress more ap propriate to be worn at the sanitarium than the reform dress. 4 Testimonies, 637. We regret that any influence should have been brought to bear against this neat, modest, healthful dress. 4 Testimonies, 638. While none were compelled to adopt the reform dress, our people could and should have appreciated its advantages and accepted it as a blessing. The evil results of an opposite course may now be seen. 4 Testimonies, 639. Since I commenced to write num ber 11 in January, 1867, I have worn no other than the reformed dress. Review & Herald, October, 1867. We do not wear this style here re presented to be odd, that we may attract notice. Review & Herald, April, 1868. In bearing the cross of adopting the reform dress we are led by a sense of duty. And although it may appear object ionable to those who are governed by fashion, we claim that it is the most convenient, the most truly modest, and the most healthful style of dress worn by woman. We recommend the reform dress to all. We urge it upon none. When Christian women see the wrongs of the fashionable style, and the benefit of ours, and put it on from a sense of duty, and have the moral courage to wear it anywhere and everywhere, they will feel at home in it, and enjoy a satisfaction and blessing in trying to do right. Review & Herald, April, 1868. As our sisters would not generally accept the reform dress as it should be worn, another, less objectionable style is now presented. 4 Testimonies, 640. But our clothing while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display. It should provide warmth and proper protection. Ministry of Heal ing, 288. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel. This forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Ministry of Healing, 287. Taste should be manifested as to colors. Uniformity in this respect with those who adopt this style of dress, is desirable so far as is convenient. Com plexion, however, may be taken into the account. Modest colors should be sought for. .-Review & Herald, April, 1868. MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT TO DRESS ALIKE "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."-Deut. 22:5. God designated that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women. 1 Testimonies, 640. There is an increased tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomin ation. "In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel. "1 Timothy 2:9. The foregoing was given me as a reproof to those who are inclined to adopt a style of dress resembling that worn by men. In this style of dress God's order has been reversed, and His special direc tions disregarded. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man neither shall a man put on a woman's gar ment for all that do so are an abomin ation unto the Lord thy God." Deut. 22:5. This style of dress, God would not have this people adopt. It is not modest apparel and is not at all fitting for modest, humble females who profess to be Christ's followers. God's prohibitions are lightly regarded by all who would advocate the doing away of the distinc tion of dress between males and females. . God designed there should be a plain distinction between male and female dress, and had considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. Were the apostle Paul alive and should he behold females professing god liness with this style of dress, he would utter a rebuke! 1 Testimonies, 457-460. THE FASHIONS OF THIS WORLD I saw that the axe must be laid at the root of the tree. Such pride should not be suffered in the church. It is these things that separate God from His people. Israel has been asleep to the pride, and fashion, and conformity to the world in the very midst of them. They advance every month in pride, covetousness, self ishness, and love of the world. God will have a people separate and distinct from the world. And as soon as they have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immedi ately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as His children. 1 Testimonies, 136, 137. Those who do not have moral courage to leave the fashions of the world and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of Him, and do not love His example. We must not yield one inch to the customs and fashions of this degenerate age, but stand in moral independence, making no compromise. . 5 Testimonies, 78. THE PRINCIPLES APPLY TO THE MEN ALSO The principles of dressing healthful ly, clothing the extremities in cold weather, dressing neatly, modestly and simply-apply to the men also. They, as well as women, should be reserved in their clothing, and should refrain from ornamentation and showy apparel. Just as women should not dress in tight clothing for the effect that it has, so men should not do so either. Vanity and show can apply to the hair as well as to the cloth ing (1 Peter 3:3-4; Isaiah 3:16-24). Some men are careful to arrange the shaved and unshaved portions of their face for a special effect. We individually need to search our hearts, put away our vanities and prepare our lives for heaven. Our ap pearance should be modest and chaste. "To dress plainly . . is in keeping with our faith. "-3 Testimonies, 366. "It should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. "-Ministry of Healing, 288.
PILGRIMS' REST Beersheba Springs, TN 3730 5 |
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