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Some Principles of Healthful Dressing
The Bible teaches modesty in dress. “In like manner also, that
women adorn themselves in modest apparel.”
1 Timothy 2:9
. This
forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any
device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite ad-
miration is excluded from the modest apparel which God’s word
enjoins.
Our dress is to be inexpensive—not with “gold, or pearls, or
costly array.” Money is a trust from God. It is not ours to expend for
the gratification of pride or ambition. In the hands of God’s children
it is food for the hungry and clothing for the naked. It is a defense
to the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, of preaching the
gospel to the poor. You could bring happiness to many hearts by
using wisely the money that is now spent for show. Consider the life
of Christ. Study His character, and be partakers with Him in His
self-denial.
In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels
and needlessly expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe
the naked. Fashion and display absorb the means that might comfort
the poor and the suffering. They rob the world of the gospel of the
Saviour’s love....
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. The wise woman described in the Proverbs
[303]
“is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household
are clothed with double garments.”
Proverbs 31:21
, margin.
Our dress should be cleanly. Uncleanliness in dress is unhealth-
ful, and thus defiling to the body and to the soul. “Ye are the temple
of God.... If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy.”
1 Corinthians 3:16, 17
.
In all respects the dress should be healthful. “Above all things,”
God desires us to “be in health” (
3 John 2
)—health of body and of
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