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Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene
The followers of Christ are represented by him as the salt of the
earth and the light of the world. Without the saving influence of
Christians, the world would perish in its own corruption. Look upon
the class of professed Christians described, who are careless of their
dress and person, and loose in business transactions. Think you if our
Saviour were upon earth he would point to them as the salt of the earth
and the light of the world?—No, never. True Christians are elevated in
their conversation; and while they believe it to be a sin to condescend to
foolish flattery, they are courteous, kind, and benevolent. Their words
are those of sincerity and truth. They are faithful in their dealings with
their brethren and with the world. In their dress they avoid superfluity
and display; but their clothing is modest, and arranged upon the person
with order and taste. They are more anxious for their bodies to be in a
condition to glorify God, than they are to be clothed according to the
latest dictates of fashion.
The suffering caused among women by unhealthful dress cannot
be estimated. Many have become life-long invalids through their
compliance with the demands of fashion. Health and life have been
sacrificed to the insatiable goddess. Many seem to think that have a
right to treat their bodies as they please; but they forget that their bodies
are not their own. The Creator who formed them has claims upon
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them that they cannot lightly throw off. Every needless transgression
of the laws of our being is virtually a transgression of the law of God,
and is sin in the sight of Heaven. The Creator knew how to form the
human body. He did not need to consult the mantua-makers in regard
to their ideas of beauty. God, who created everything that is lovely and
glorious in nature, understood how to make the human form beautiful
and healthy. The modern improvements upon his plan are insulting to
the Creator. They deform that which he made perfect.
It is Satan’s design so to pervert every function of our being that life
may be made miserable, and God may be dishonored in the creatures
he has made. If women make the customs of the world their criterion,
they will become unfitted, both physically and mentally, for the duties
of life. Many have done themselves untold injury by compressing
the waist. Their power to do good in the family and in society is
greatly lessened; and if they are mothers, their children are robbed of
vitality. When the waist is compressed, the circulation of the blood
is impeded, and the internal organs, cramped and crowded out of