Simplicity in Dress
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of God! Were Christ upon earth, and should He visit such churches,
would He not drive out those desecrators of His Father’s house?
But the greatest evil is the influence upon the children and youth.
Almost as soon as they come into the world they are subjected to
fashion’s demands. Little children hear more of dress than of their
salvation. They see their mothers more earnestly consulting the fashion
plates than the Bible. More visits are made to the dry goods dealer and
the milliner than to the church. The outward display of dress is made
of greater consequence than the adornment of the character. Sharp
reprimands are called forth for soiling the fine clothing, and the mind
becomes peevish and irritable under continual restraint.
A deformed character does not disturb the mother so much as a
soiled dress. The child hears more of dress than of virtue, for the
mother is more familiar with fashion than with her Saviour. Her
example too often surrounds the young with a poisonous atmosphere.
Vice, disguised in fashion’s garb, intrudes itself among the children.
Simplicity of dress will make a sensible woman appear to the best
advantage. We judge of a person’s character by the style of dress worn.
Gaudy apparel betrays vanity and weakness. A modest, godly woman
will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed
in the choice of simple and appropriate attire.
There is an ornament that will never perish, that will promote the
happiness of all around us in this life, and will shine with undimmed
luster in the immortal future. It is the adorning of a meek and lowly
spirit. God has bidden us wear the richest dress upon the soul. By every
look into the mirror, the worshipers of fashion should be reminded
of the neglected soul. Every hour squandered over the toilet should
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reprove them for leaving the intellect to lie waste. Then there might be
a reformation that would elevate and ennoble all the aims and purposes
of life. Instead of seeking golden ornaments for the exterior, an earnest
effort would be put forth to secure that wisdom which is of more value
than fine gold, yea, which is more precious than rubies.
Those who worship at fashion’s altar have but little force of char-
acter and but little physical energy. They live for no great purpose, and
their lives accomplish no worthy end. We meet everywhere women
whose whole mind and heart are absorbed in their love of dress and
display. The soul of womanhood is dwarfed and belittled, and her
thoughts are centered upon her poor, despicable self. As a fashionably