Female Modesty
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is a liar, and the truth is not in him”? What saith the law? “Thou shalt
not commit adultery.” The fact of a man’s professing to keep God’s
holy law, and ministering in sacred things, should he take advantage of
the confidence his position gives him to indulge his passions, should,
of itself, be sufficient to lead any woman professing godliness, to see
that, although his profession was as exalted as the heavens, any impure
proposal coming from him was the work of Satan disguised as an angel
of light. I cannot believe that the word of God is abiding in the hearts
of those who are so readily controlled, and yield up their innocency
and virtue upon the altar of lustful passion.
My sisters, you should avoid even the appearance of evil. In this
fast age, which is reeking with corruption, you are not safe unless
you stand guarded. Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as
followers of Jesus Christ, making a high and exalted profession, to
cherish this precious, priceless gem, modesty. This will guard virtue.
If you have any hope of being finally exalted to join company with
the pure, sinless angels, and live in an atmosphere where there is not
the least taint of sin, cherish modesty and virtue. Nothing but purity,
sacred purity, will abide the day of God, stand the grand review, and
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be received into a pure and holy Heaven.
The least insinuations, come from whatever source they may, invit-
ing you to indulge in sin, or to allow the least unwarrantable liberty
with your person, you should resent as the worst of insults to your
dignified womanhood. The kiss upon your cheek, at an improper time
and place, should lead you to repel the emissary of Satan with disgust.
If it is from one in high places who is dealing in sacred things, the sin,
in such a one, is of tenfold greater magnitude, and should lead a God-
fearing woman or youth to recoil with horror, not only from the sin he
would have you commit, but from the hypocrisy and villainy of one
whom the people respect and honor as God’s servant. In his ministry
he is handling sacred things, yet hiding his baseness of heart under a
ministerial cloak. Be afraid of anything like this familiarity. You may
be sure that the least approach to it is the evidence of a lascivious mind
and a lustful eye. If the least encouragement is given in this direction;
if any of the liberties mentioned are tolerated, no better evidence can
you give that your mind is not pure and chaste as it should be, and that
sin and crime have charms for you. You lower the standard of your