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Manners and Dress of Ministers
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Carefulness in dress is an important item. There has been a lack
here with ministers who believe present truth. The dress of some has
been even untidy. Not only has there been a lack of taste and order
in arranging the dress in a becoming manner upon the person, and
in having the color suitable and becoming for a minister of Christ,
but the apparel of some has been even slovenly. Some ministers
wear a vest of a light color, while their pants are dark, or a dark vest
and light pants, with no taste or orderly arrangement of the dress
upon the person when they come before the people. These things
are preaching to the people. The minister gives them an example
of order, and sets before them the propriety of neatness and taste in
their apparel, or he gives them lessons in slackness and lack of taste
which they will be in danger of following.
Black or dark material is more becoming to a minister in the
desk and will make a better impression upon the people than would
be made by a combination of two or three different colors in his
apparel.
I was pointed back to the children of Israel anciently, and was
shown that God had given specific directions in regard to the material
and style of dress to be worn by those who ministered before Him.
The God of heaven, whose arm moves the world, who sustains us
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and gives us life and health, has given us evidence that He may be
honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before
Him. He gave special directions to Moses in regard to everything
connected with His service. He gave instruction even in regard to
the arrangement of their houses and specified the dress which those
should wear who were to minister in His service. They were to
maintain order in everything and especially to preserve cleanliness.
Read the directions that were given to Moses to be made known
to the children of Israel as God was about to come down upon the
mount to speak in their hearing His holy law. What did He command
Moses to have the people do? To be ready against the third day;
for on the third day, said He, the Lord will come down upon the
mount in the sight of all the people. They were to set bounds about
the mount. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people,
and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their
clothes.” That great and mighty God who created the beautiful Eden
and everything lovely in it is a God of order, and He wants order