328
Child Guidance
Dress Not to Be Made a Subject of Controversy—There is no
need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There
is something richer to talk of. Talk of Christ; and when the heart is
[429]
converted, everything that is out of harmony with the Word of God
will drop off
It is not your dress that makes you of value in the Lord’s sight.
It is the inward adorning, the graces of the Spirit, the kind word, the
thoughtful consideration for others that God values
None to Be Conscience for Another, but Set a Worthy Exam-
ple—Do not encourage a class who center their religion in dress. Let
each one study the plain teachings of the Scriptures as to simplicity
and plainness of dress and by faithful obedience to those teachings
strive to set a worthy example to the world and to those new in the
faith. God does not want any one person to be conscience for another.
Talk of the love and humility of Jesus, but do not encourage the
brethren and sisters to engage in picking flaws in the dress or appear-
ance of one another. Some take delight in this work; and when their
minds are turned in this direction, they begin to feel that they must
become church tinkers. They climb upon the judgment seat, and as
soon as they see one of their brethren and sisters, they look to find
something to criticize. This is one of the most effectual means of be-
coming narrow-minded and of dwarfing spiritual growth. God would
have them step down from the judgment seat, for He has never placed
them there
The Heart Must Be Right—If we are Christians, we shall follow
Christ, even though the path in which we are to walk cuts right across
our natural inclinations. There is no use in telling you that you must
not wear this or that, for if the love of these vain things is in your
[430]
heart, your laying off your adornments will only be like cutting the
foliage off a tree. The inclinations of the natural heart would again
assert themselves. You must have a conscience of your own
Where Many Denominations Lost Their Power—Human rea-
soning has ever sought to evade or set aside the simple, direct in-
structions of the Word of God. In every age a majority of the pro-
38
Evangelism, 272
.
39
Counsels on Stewardship, 301
.
40
Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 122, 123
.
41
The Review and Herald, May 10, 1892
.