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Messages to Young People
to conform to the world’s standard of dress. Notwithstanding their
profession of godliness, they can hardly be distinguished from the
unbeliever. They do not enjoy a religious life. Their time and means
are devoted to the one object of dressing for display.
Pride and extravagance in dress is a sin to which woman is espe-
cially prone. Hence the injunction of the apostle relates directly to
her: “In like manner, also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.”
Reformation Needed
We see steadily gaining ground in the church an evil which the
word of God condemns. What is the duty of those in authority in regard
to this matter? Will the influence of the church be what it should be,
while many of its members obey the dictates of fashion, rather than the
clearly expressed will of God? How can we expect the presence and
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aid of the Holy Spirit while we suffer these things to exist among us?
Can we remain silent while the teachings of Christ are set aside by His
professed followers? These things bring grief and perplexity to those
who have the oversight of the church of God. Will not my Christian
sisters themselves reflect candidly and prayerfully upon this subject?
Will they not seek to be guided by the word of God? The extra time
spent in the making up of apparel according to the fashions of the
world should be devoted to close searching of heart and the study of
the Scriptures. The hours that are worse than wasted in preparing
unnecessary adornings, might be made more valuable than gold if
spent in seeking to acquire right principles and solid attainments. My
heart aches as I see young ladies professing to be followers of Christ
who are practically ignorant of His character and His will. These youth
have been satisfied to feed on husks. The glittering tinsel of the world
appears more valuable to them than the eternal riches. The mental
powers, that might be developed by thought and study, are suffered to
lie dormant, and the affections are undisciplined, because the outward
apparel is considered of more consequence than spiritual loveliness or
mental vigor.