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Counsels on Health
part of the body.[
For the reasons why this style of dress is not now
advocated, read
Testimonies for the Church 4:635-641
.] ...
Our Dress a Testimony
Many a soul who was convinced of the truth has been led to decide
against it by the pride and love of the world displayed by our sisters.
[600]
The doctrine preached seemed clear and harmonious, and the hearers
felt that a heavy cross must be lifted by them in taking the truth. When
these persons have seen our sisters making so much display in dress,
they have said, “This people dress fully as much as we do. They cannot
really believe what they profess; and, after all, they must be deceived.
If they really thought that Christ was soon coming, and the case of
every soul was to be decided for eternal life or death, they could not
devote time and money to dress according to the existing fashions.”
How little did those professedly believing sisters know of the sermon
their dress was preaching!
Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers,
gathering with Christ, or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter,
to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious
reflection and much prayer....
We would by no means encourage carelessness in dress. Let the
attire be appropriate and becoming. Though only a ten-cent calico, it
should be kept neat and clean. If there are no ruffles, the wearer can
not only save something by making it herself, but she can save quite
a little sum by washing and ironing it herself. Families bind heavy
burdens upon themselves by dressing their children in accordance with
the fashion. What a waste of time! The little ones would look very
inviting in a dress without a ruffle or ornament, but kept sweet and
clean. It is such a trifle to wash and iron a dress of this style that the
labor is not felt to be a burden....
Children Subjected to Fashion
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
[601]
fashion’s demands. Little children hear more of dress than of their
salvation. They see their mothers more earnestly consulting the fashion