Chapter 118—Dress and Character
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 in their
dress and person; loose in their business transactions, as their dress
represents; coarse, uncourteous, and rough in their manners; low in
their conversation; at the same time regarding these miserable traits as
marks of true humility and Christian life. Think you that if our Saviour
were upon earth He would point to them as being the salt of the earth
and the light of the world?—No, never!
Christians are elevated in their conversation; and although they
believe it to be 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 deal with their brethren and with the world.
In their dress they avoid superfluity and display; but their clothing will
be neat, not gaudy, modest, and arranged upon the person with order
and taste. Especial care will be taken to dress in a manner that will
show a sacred regard for the holy Sabbath and the worship of God.
The line of demarkation between such a class and the world will
be too plain to be mistaken. The influence of believers would be
tenfold greater if men and women who accept the truth, who have been
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formerly careless and slack in their habits, would be so elevated and
sanctified through the truth as to observe habits of neatness, order, and
good taste in their dress. Our God is a God of order, and He is not in
any degree pleased with distraction, with filthiness, or with sin.
Relation to Fashions
Christians should not take pains to make themselves gazing-stocks
by dressing differently from the world. But if, in accordance with their
faith and duty in respect to their dressing modestly and healthfully,
they find themselves out of fashion, they should not change their
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