Chapter 66—Teaching the Fundamental Principles of
Dress
A Necessary Part of Education—No education can be complete
that does not teach right principles in regard to dress. Without such
teaching, the work of education is too often retarded and perverted.
Love of dress and devotion to fashion are among the teacher’s most
formidable rivals and most effective hindrances
No Precise Style Given—No one precise style has been given me
as the exact rule to guide all in their dress
Neat, Attractive, Clean—The young should be encouraged to
form correct habits in dress, that their appearance may be neat and
attractive; they should be taught to keep their garments clean and
neatly mended. All their habits should be such as to make them a help
and comfort to others
Let the attire be appropriate and becoming. Though only a ten-cent
calico, it should be kept neat and clean
Order and Correct Taste—In their dress they [Christians] avoid
superfluity and display; but their clothing will be neat, not gaudy,
modest, and arranged upon the person with order and taste
Correct taste is not to be despised or condemned. Our faith, if
carried out, will lead us to be so plain in dress and zealous of good
works that we shall be marked as peculiar. But when we lose taste for
order and neatness in dress, we virtually leave the truth; for the truth
[420]
never degrades but elevates
My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the
sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it
1
Education, 246
.
2
Letter 19, 1897
.
3
Testimonies For The Church 6:170
.
4
Testimonies For The Church 4:642
.
5
Messages to Young People, 349
.
6
Messages to Young People, 353
.
7
The Review and Herald, November 17, 1904
.
320