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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
to wear small hoops.” No one has ever heard me say this. After seeing
what I have in regard to hoops, nothing would induce me to give the
least encouragement to any to wear them. Heavy quilts and hoops are
alike unnecessary. He that framed us never designed that we should be
deformed with hoops, or anything to look like them. But God’s people
have so long been led by the inventions and fashions of the world that
they are unwilling to move out independent of them. When I study the
Scriptures, I am alarmed for the Israel of God in these last days. They
are exhorted to flee from idolatry. I fear that they are asleep and so
conformed to the world that it would be difficult to discern between
him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. The distance is
widening between Christ and His people, and lessening between them
and the world. The marks of distinction between Christ’s professed
people and the world have almost disappeared. Like ancient Israel,
they follow after the abominations of the nations around them.
From what has been shown me, hoops are an abomination. They
are indecent; and God’s people err if they in the least degree follow, or
give countenance to, this fashion. Those who profess to be God’s cho-
sen, peculiar people, should discard hoops, and their practice should be
a living rebuke to those who wear them. Some may plead convenience.
I have traveled much, and have seen a great deal of inconvenience
attending the wearing of hoops. Those who plead necessity on account
of health, wear them in the winter, when they are a greater injury than
quilted skirts. While traveling in the cars and stages, I have often
been led to exclaim: O Modesty, where is thy blush! I have seen
large companies crowding into the cars, and in order to make any
headway, the hoops had to be raised and placed in a shape which was
indecent. And the exposure of the form was tenfold more with those
who wore hoops, than with those who did not. Were it not for fashion,
those who thus immodestly expose themselves would be hissed at; but
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modesty and decency must be sacrificed to the God of fashion. May
the Lord deliver His people from this grievous sin! God will not pity
those who will be slaves to fashion. But supposing there is some little
convenience in wearing hoops, does this prove that it is right to wear
them? Let the fashion change, and convenience would no longer be
mentioned. It is the duty of every child of God to inquire: “Wherein
am I separate from the world?” Let us suffer a little inconvenience,
and be on the safe side. What crosses do God’s people bear? They