Reform in Dress
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not have His people adopt the so-called reform dress. It is immodest
apparel, wholly unfitted for the modest, humble followers of Christ.
“There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and
appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their
dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination.
‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety.’
1 Timothy 2:9
.
“Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of
woman’s rights and the so-called dress reform might as well sever
all connection with the third angel’s message. The spirit which attends
the one cannot be in harmony with the other. The Scriptures are plain
upon the relations and rights of men and women. Spiritualists have, to
quite an extent, adopted this singular mode of dress. Seventh-day Ad-
ventists, who believe in the restoration of the gifts, are often branded
as spiritualists. Let them adopt this costume, and their influence is
dead. The people would place them on a level with spiritualists and
would refuse to listen to them.
“With the so-called dress reform there goes a spirit of levity and
boldness just in keeping with the dress. Modesty and reserve seem to
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depart from many as they adopt that style of dress. I was shown that
God would have us take a course consistent and explainable. Let the
sisters adopt the American costume and they would destroy their own
influence and that of their husbands. They would become a byword
and a derision. Our Saviour says: ‘Ye are the light of the world.’ ‘Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ There is a great work for
us to do in the world, and God would not have us take a course to
lessen or destroy our influence with the world.”
The foregoing was given me as a reproof to those who are inclined
to adopt a style of dress resembling that worn by men; but at the same
time I was shown the evils of the common style of woman’s dress, and
to correct these, also gave the following found in Testimony for the
Church, No. 10:
“We do not think it in accordance with our faith to dress in the
American costume, to wear hoops, or to go to an extreme in wearing
long dresses which sweep the sidewalks and streets. If women would
wear their dresses so as to clear the filth of the streets an inch or two,
their dresses would be modest, and they could be kept clean much more