Reform in Dress
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question, but they would be instrumental in accomplishing vastly more
good if they did not carry the matter of dress to such extremes.
“In this style of dress God’s order has been reversed and His special
directions disregarded.
Deuteronomy 22:5
: “The woman shall not
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wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a
woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord
thy God.’ God would not have His people adopt this style of dress.
It is not modest apparel, and is not at all fitting for modest, humble
women who profess to be Christ’s followers. God’s prohibitions are
lightly regarded by all who advocate doing away with the distinction
of dress between males and females. The extreme position taken by
some dress reformers upon this subject cripples their influence.
“God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the
dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient
importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress
worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime.
Were the apostle Paul alive, and should he behold women professing
godliness with this style of dress, he would utter a rebuke. ‘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.’ The mass of professed Christians utterly disregard
the teachings of the apostles, and wear gold, pearls, and costly array.
“God’s loyal people are the light of the world and the salt of the
earth, and they should ever remember that their influence is of value.
Were they to exchange the extreme long dress for the extreme short
one, they would, to a great extent, destroy their influence. Unbelievers,
whom it is their duty to benefit and seek to bring to the Lamb of God,
would be disgusted. Many improvements can be made in the dress of
women in reference to health without making so great a change as to
disgust the beholder.
“The form should not be compressed in the least with corsets and
whalebones. The dress should be perfectly easy that the lungs and
heart may have healthy action. The dress should reach somewhat
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below the top of the boot, but should be short enough to clear the filth
of the sidewalk and street without being raised by the hand. A still
shorter dress than this would be proper, convenient, and healthful for
women when doing their housework, and especially for those who are