Simplicity in Dress
581
the world. Christ has given us no such example. Those only who
deny self, and live a life of sobriety, humility, and holiness, are true
followers of Jesus; and such cannot enjoy the society of the lovers of
the world.
Many dress like the world in order to have an influence over unbe-
lievers, but here they make a sad mistake. If they would have a true
and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show their faith
by their righteous works, and make the distinction plain between the
Christian and the worldling. The words, the dress, the actions, should
tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all around them,
[634]
and even unbelievers will take knowledge of them that they have been
with Jesus. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of truth, let
them live out their profession and thus imitate the humble Pattern.
Pride, ignorance, and folly are constant companions. The Lord is
displeased with the pride manifested among His professed people. He
is dishonored by their conformity to the unhealthful, immodest, and
expensive fashions of this degenerate age.
Fashion rules the world; and she is a tyrannical mistress, often
compelling her devotees to submit to the greatest inconvenience and
discomfort. Fashion taxes without reason and collects without mercy.
She has a fascinating power, and stands ready to criticize and ridicule
the poor if they do not follow in her wake at any cost, even the sacrifice
of life itself. Satan triumphs that his devices succeed so well, and Death
laughs at the health-destroying folly and blind zeal of the worshipers
at Fashion’s shrine.
To protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of
the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress
reform was introduced among us. It was not intended to be a yoke
of bondage, but a blessing; not to increase labor, but to save labor;
not to add to the expense of dress, but to save expense. It would
distinguish God’s people from the world, and thus serve as a barrier
against its fashions and follies. He who knows the end from the begin-
ning, who understands our nature and our needs,—our compassionate
Redeemer,—saw our dangers and difficulties, and condescended to
give us timely warning and instruction concerning our habits of life,
even in the proper selection of food and clothing.
Satan is constantly devising some new style of dress that shall
prove an injury to physical and moral health; and he exults when he