148
Daughters of God
Our dress should be in strict accordance with the character of our
holy faith. [
1 Timothy 2:9, 10
;
1 Peter 3:3-5
quoted.] There is need of
putting more of the Bible precept into the dress, as well as the inward
adorning into the character.
Fannie, wherever you go, wherever you may be, you need to study
that the colors and material and style of your dress should be adapted
to, and correspond with, your age and to the faith you profess. You
remember I made the remark to Elder Olsen that when at Preston you
were destitute of suitable clothing and felt too poor to supply yourself
with what you should have. The remarks you made showed that you
did not understand me. I want to be understood now.
You need comfortable underclothing, which you must have in order
to have health. But I certainly do not, in all respects, approve of your
style of dress. I felt rather sad and ashamed when you stood upon the
platform before the large crowd under the tent, with that light, large-
figured dress. It was not appropriate for the occasion. Your judgment
in the matter of dress may be much improved. I hope you will not
consult your dressmaker but [consult] those who are of sensible minds
and who will not flatter you or have any guile in their mouths as to
suitable clothing that will make a proper impression upon the minds
of both believers and unbelievers. We who claim to be in the light, and
who take prominent positions to instruct others in children’s meetings,
need to be severely plain, yet tidy and tasteful, in dress; we should
not give a semblance of excuse to any for patterning after the worldly,
changing fashions of this corrupt age. Those who dress after the order
[159]
given in the Bible can, with appropriate words, help others to reach a
proper standard.
Do not come to me to ask how you shall dress. If our sisters have
the Spirit of God abiding as a living principle in the heart, they will not
in a single instance give occasion for any to turn aside the counsels of
God by quoting the ministers’ wives or those engaged in giving Bible
readings. Ever have your dress of good, durable material, and modest
colors; let it be made plainly, without adornment. You certainly need
to improve in your style of dress.—
Letter 7, 1894
(Printed in entirety
in The Fannie Bolton Story, available at the Ellen G. White Estate.).