Chapter 6
445
1. It is extravagant and unnecessary to have the dress of that length
that it will sweep the sidewalks and streets.
2. A dress thus long gathers dew from the grass, and mud from the
streets, which makes it uncleanly.
3. In its bedrabbled condition it comes in contact with the sensitive
ankles, which are not sufficiently protected, quickly chilling them, and
is one of the greatest causes of catarrh, and of scrofula swellings, and
endangers health and life.
4. The unnecessary length is an additional weight upon the hips
and bowels.
5. It hinders the walking, and is also often in other people’s way.
There is still another style of dress which will be adopted by a
class of so-called dress reformers. They will imitate the opposite sex,
as nearly as possible. They will wear the cap, pants, vest, coat, and
boots, the last of which is the most sensible part of the costume. Those
who adopt and advocate this style of dress, are carrying the so-called
dress reform to very objectionable lengths. Confusion will be the
result. Some who adopt this costume may be correct in their views
in general upon the health question, and they could 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
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.” This style of dress, God would not have his people adopt. It is
not modest apparel, and is not at all fitting for modest, humble females
who profess to be Christ’s followers. God’s prohibitions are lightly
regarded by all who would advocate the doing away of the distinction
of dress between males and females. The extreme positions taken by
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some dress-reformers upon this subject cripple their influence.
God designed there should be a plain distinction between male and
female dress, 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. St.
Paul would utter a rebuke, were he alive, and should behold females
professing Godliness with this style of dress. “In like manner also,
that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness