Personal Appearance of the Evangelist
Personality of the Evangelist—From the light I have had, the
ministry is a sacred and exalted office, and those who accept this
position should have Christ in their hearts, and manifest an earnest
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desire to represent Him worthily before the people, in all their acts, in
their dress, in their speaking, and even in their manner of speaking....
Our words, our actions, our deportment, our dress, everything,
should preach. Not only with our words should we speak to the people,
but everything pertaining to our person should be a sermon to them.—
Testimonies For The Church 2:615, 618
(1871).
Souls Lost Because of Carelessness—A minister who is neg-
ligent in his apparel often wounds those of good taste and refined
sensibilities. Those who are faulty in this respect should correct their
errors, and be more circumspect. The loss of some souls at last will be
traced to the untidiness of the minister. The first appearance affected
the people unfavorably, because they could not in any way link his
appearance with the truths he presented. His dress was against him;
and the impression given was that the people whom he represented
were a careless set who cared nothing about their dress, and his hearers
did not want anything to do with such a class of people.—
Testimonies
For The Church 2:613
(1871).
Taste, Color, and Fit—Some who minister in sacred things so
arrange their dress upon their persons, that, to some extent at least,
it destroys the influence of their labor. There is an apparent lack
of taste in color and neatness of fit. What is the impression given
by such a manner of dress? It is, that the work in which they are
engaged is considered no more sacred or elevated than common labor,
as plowing in the field. The minister, by his example, brings down
sacred things upon a level with common things.—
Testimonies For The
Church 2:614
(1871).
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Choice of Colors—Black or dark material is more becoming to
a minister in the desk, and will make a better impression upon the
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