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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
in wearing hoops, does this prove that it is right to wear them? Let
the fashion change, and convenience would no longer be mentioned.
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It is the duty of every child of God to inquire, Wherein am I separate
from the world? Let them suffer a little inconvenience and be on the
safe side. What crosses do God’s people bear? They mingle with the
world, partake of their spirit, dress, talk, and act, like them.
Read
1 Timothy 2:9, 10
. “In like manner also, that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not
with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which
becometh godliness) with good works.”
1 Peter 3:3-5
. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorn-
ing of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of
apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in
the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time
the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands.”
The power of example is great. Sister A. ventures to wear small
hoops. Sister B. says, It is no worse for me to wear hoops than sister
A., and she wears hoops a little larger. Sister C. imitates the example
of sisters A. and B., and wears her hoops a little larger than A. and B.,
but all contend that their hoops are small.
Parents who would teach their children the evil of following the
fashions of the world, have a hard battle. They are met with, “Why,
mother, sisters A., B., and C., wear hoops; if it is wicked for me,
it is for them.” What can the parents say? They should set a right
example before their children, and although the example of professed
followers of Christ causes the children to think that their parents are too
careful and severe in their restrictions, yet God will bless the efforts of
these conscientious parents. If the parents do not take a decided, firm,
course, their children will be borne down with the current, for Satan
and his evil angels are working upon their minds, and the example
of unconsecrated professors is against their efforts, which makes the
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work of overcoming far more laborious for their children. Yet with
faith in God, and earnest prayer, believing parents may press on in this
rugged path of duty. The way of the cross is an onward, upward, way.
And as we advance therein, seeking the things that are above, we must
leave farther and farther in the distance the things which belong to the