Chapter 123—True Adornment
Demoralizing extravagance prevails everywhere, and souls are
going to ruin because of their love of dress and display. The life
of nine tenths of those who are devotees of fashion is a living lie.
Deception, fraud, is their daily practice; for they wish to appear that
which they are not.
Nobility of soul, gentleness, generosity, are bartered away to gratify
the lust after evil things. Thousands sell their virtue that they may
have means for following the fashions of the world. Such madness
concerning the changing fashions of the world should call forth an
army of reformers who would take their position for simple and plain
attire. Satan is ever inventing fashions that cannot be followed except
through the sacrifice of money, time, and health.
Following the World
Having before us the picture of the world’s demoralization upon
the point of fashion, how dare professed Christians follow in the path
of the worldling? Shall we appear to sanction these demoralizing
fashions by adopting them? Many do adopt the fashions of the world,
but it is because Christ is not formed within them, the hope of glory.
Luxurious living, extravagant dressing, is carried to such an extent as
to constitute one of the signs of the last days.
Pride and vanity are manifested everywhere; but those who are
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inclined to look into the mirror to admire themselves, have little in-
clination to look into the law of God, the great moral mirror. This
idolatry of dress destroys all that is humble, meek, and lovely in the
character. It consumes the precious hours that should be devoted to
meditation, to searching the heart, to the prayerful study of God’s
word. In the word of God, Inspiration has recorded lessons especially
for our instruction....
Devotion to dress takes from the means intrusted for works of
mercy and benevolence, and this extravagant outlay is robbery toward
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