Adornment, Fashion, and Plainness
Page 2 of 2Compiled from Writings by Ellen G. White, emphasis supplied
Fashion
"Many, in order to keep pace with absurd fashion, lose their taste for natural simplicity and are charmed with the artificial. They sacrifice time and money, the vigor of intellect, and true elevation of soul, and devote their entire being to the claims of fashionable life.
"Dear youth, a disposition in you to dress according to the fashion, and to wear lace, and gold, and artificials for display, will not recommend to others your religion or the truth that you profess. People of discernment will look upon your attempts to beautify the external as proof of weak minds and proud hearts." CG 421
"Fashion is a mistress that rules with an iron hand. In very many homes the strength and time and attention of parents and children are absorbed in meeting her demands. The rich are ambitious to outdo one another in conforming to her ever-varying styles; the middle and poorer classes strive to approach the standard set by those supposed to be above them. Where means or strength is limited, and the ambition for gentility is great, the burden becomes almost insupportable.
"With many it matters not how becoming, or even beautiful, a garment may be, let the fashion change, and it must be remade or cast aside.
The members of the household are doomed to ceaseless toil. There is no
time for training the children, no time for prayer or Bible study, no
time for helping the little ones to become acquainted with God through
His works.
"There is no time and no money
for charity. And often the home table is stinted. The food is ill
selected and hastily prepared, and the demands of nature are but
partially supplied. The result is wrong habits of diet, which create
disease or lead to intemperance.
"The love of display produces extravagance, and in many young people kills the aspiration for a nobler life. Instead of seeking an education, they early engage in some occupation to earn money for indulging the passion for dress. And through this passion many a young girl is beguiled to ruin.
"In many a home the family resources are overtaxed. The father, unable to supply the demands of the mother and the children, is tempted to dishonesty, and again dishonor and ruin are the result.
"Even the day and the services of worship are not exempt from fashion's domination. Rather they afford opportunity for the greater display of her power. The church is made a parade ground, and the fashions are studied more than the sermon. The poor, unable to meet the demands of custom, stay away from church altogether. The day of rest is spent in idleness, and by the youth often in associations that are demoralizing.
"At school, the girls are by unsuitable and uncomfortable clothing
unfitted either for study or for recreation. Their minds are
preoccupied, and the teacher has a difficult task to awaken their
interest." Ed 246, 247
"Almost every conceivable style of dress may be seen in crowded cities, and upon the great thoroughfares of travel. There are customs and styles in dress current now, that a few years ago would have been looked upon by Christians as monstrosities."
"But the word of God gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel merely for the sake of fashion, that we may appear like the world." 6T 96
"It is a sad fact that many, even professed Christians, make their pleasures, their amusements, the gratification of pride in dress, the gratification of appetite, almost everything; while the cross of Jesus Christ, and purity of heart and life, are left out of the question. God has claims upon them, but they do not, by their life, show that they have a sense of their duty to him. They acknowledge the claims of the world in their obedience to fashion. They devote time, service, and money, to its friendship, and, in so doing, prove themselves to be not the true friends of God. He demands of his people the first place in their hearts. He requires their best and holiest affections....
"The world may clamor for our time and affections, fashion may invite our patronage; but the words of the apostle should be enough to lead Christian mothers from the indulgence of pride in dress and demoralizing amusements. 'Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?' 'Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God.'
"Christian
mothers should take their position on the platform of truth and
righteousness; and when urged to unite with the world in patronizing
fashions which are health-destroying and demoralizing, they should
answer, We are doing a great work, and cannot be diverted from it. We
are settling the question of our everlasting destiny. We are seeking to
develop in our children, sound and worthy and beautiful characters,
that they may bless the world with their influence, and have immortal
beauty and glory in the world to come that will never fade.....
"But it is a lamentable fact, that many professed Christian women, who are mothers, take the lead in patronizing the fashions, and those who make no pretensions to Christianity follow in the footsteps of professed Christians. Some who are in humble circumstances in life, in their efforts to keep pace with fashion, that they may retain their position in fashionable society, endure privation, and work far beyond their strength, that they may dress equal to the example given them by their more wealthy Christian sisters. Unless they can dress somewhat to compare with their more wealthy sisters, they have no desire to attend church, where there is such a display of costly adorning. The contrast is humiliating, say they, and they can only think of their humble dress.
"The
temptation is so strong before some to come up to the standard of
fashion that they are sometimes led into dishonesty and theft to gain
their desired object. Others sell their virtue, that they may have the
means to decorate themselves for display. They see this is the great
aim of life with many who profess to be righteous. Professed
Christians, whose example thus proves a stumbling-block to their weak
sisters, will have a fearful account to meet in the day of final
reckoning. They have, by their example, opened a door of temptation to
the inexperienced, who are charmed with the respect paid to those
dressed in fashionable style, and they became so infatuated that they
at last sold honor and virtue, woman's greatest adornments, and
sacrificed health and happiness for artificial decorations for display." HR,
"There
are few who understand their own hearts. The vain, trifling lovers of
fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and
conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections.
The outside appearance is an index to the heart. True refinement does
not find satisfaction in the adorning of the body for display. A
modest, godly woman will dress modestly. Simplicity of apparel always
makes a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. A refined,
cultured mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate
attire. In the sanctified heart there is no place for thoughts of
needless adornment....
"Christian
sisters, labor far less to grow into the ever-changing fashions of this
age. Study rather the great pattern, Jesus Christ, that you may not
grow apart from him....
"But
with many who claim to be Christians there is a painful certainty that
they are not progressing heavenward, but are swayed by the customs and
practices of the world. Fashions the most unlovely and unhealthful, the
most contradictory to the laws of nature, are readily accepted by them.
By eagerly beholding these fashions, they become changed to the
likeness of what they so much admire. Thus they hasten to adopt the
world's standard, where pride and fashion complete in them the
transformation which Satan
delights to see accomplished, and they become unstable as water."
CTBH 91-95
"How can one that has ever tasted the love of Christ be satisfied with
the frivolities of fashion? My heart is pained to see those who profess
to be followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, so eagerly seeking to
conform to the world's standard of dress. Notwithstanding their
profession of godliness, they can hardly be distinguished from the
unbeliever. They do not enjoy a religious life. Their time and means
are devoted to the one object of dressing for display." RH,
"As I have seen many Sabbathkeeping Adventists becoming worldly in thought, conversation, and dress, my heart has been saddened. The people who claim to believe that they have the last message of mercy to give to the world, are attracted by worldly fashions, and make great exertions to follow them as far as they think their profession of faith allows them to go. Worldly dress among our people is so noticeable that unbelievers frequently remark, 'In their dress you cannot distinguish them from the world.' This we know to be true, although there are many exceptions.
"Those who meet the world's standard are not few in numbers. We are grieved to see that they are exerting an influence, leading others to follow their example. When I see those who have named the name of Christ, aping the fashions introduced by worldlings, I have the most painful reflections. Their lack of Christlikeness is apparent to all. In the outward adorning there is revealed to worldlings as well as to Christians an absence of the inward adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. . . .
"Satan is wonderfully successful in infatuating minds with the ever-varying styles of dress. He knows that while the minds of women are continually filled with a feverish desire to follow fashion, their moral sensibilities are weak, and they cannot be aroused to realize their true spiritual condition. They are worldly, without God, without hope....
"Young ladies who break away from slavery to fashion will be ornaments in society. The one who is simple and unpretending in her dress and in her manners shows that she understands that a true lady is characterized by moral worth." 3SM 243-245
"Not a few of our people are backsliding. They are imitating the fashions of the world. Their spirituality is dying. Step by step they are approaching world-loving. Selfishness and pride are taking possession of them, and the love of God finds little room in their hearts. Some who were once zealous reformers are now indifferent. Sisters who were once plain in dress are now conforming to fashion. God expects his commandment-keeping people to be distinct from worldlings, but in many instances the line of demarcation is hardly discernible.
"As
I have seen those of our faith becoming worldly, my heart has been
saddened. Some of those who profess to believe that they have the last
message of mercy to give to the world, follow the fashions as far as
they think their profession of faith will allow them to do. And their
influence leads others astray. Their lack of Christlikeness is apparent
to all. The Lord is dishonored by their conformity to the fashions of
this degenerate age. Outward display is contradictory to our profession
of faith. I entreat my sisters to guard against the tendency to dress
in accordance with the demands of fashion....
"Satan's
object is gained if he can invent something that will so attract the
mind that God will be forgotten, and he uses fashion with great success
to do this. He knows that women who constantly have a feverish desire
to follow the fashions, have benumbed their moral sensibilities, and do
not realize their real spiritual condition. Worldly minded, they are
without God, without hope. They take no time to pray, or to search the
Scriptures in order that they may understand the truth, and teach it to
their children. " RH,
"Satan,
the instigator and prime mover in the ever-changing, never-satisfying
decrees of fashion, is always busy devising something new that shall
prove an injury to physical and moral health; and he triumphs that his
devices succeed so well." CTBH 85
"Fashion
rules the world. She is a tyrannical mistress, often compelling her
devotees to the greatest inconvenience and discomfort. Fashion taxes
without reason and collects without mercy. She has a fascinating power,
and stands ready to criticize and ridicule the poor, if they do not
follow in her wake at any cost, even at the sacrifice of life itself.
Satan triumphs that his devices succeed so well, and Death laughs at
the health-destroying folly and blind zeal of the worshipers at
Fashion's shrine." RH,
"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." CTBH 87, 88
"It is manifest that most women do not think and act in reference to dress from reason and reflection. They accept, without questioning, that which society and fashion imposes upon them. Few have the moral courage to wear a dress in opposition to fashion, although it be modest and healthful. Christian women, with thoughtless indifference, encourage by their example dress that is not only extravagant, but destructive to health and life itself. They yield principle, sacrifice health, and bow in submission to the decree of fickle fashion, as though it were a crime to assert their independence in dressing physiologically. Practical, independent, reasoning minds are greatly needed to lead out in the work of dress reform. Women of Christian fortitude and becoming independence are wanted to stimulate others to break away from the slavery and oppression of fashion." HR May 1, 1872
"If Christian women would lead out in the good work, and set the example of dressing with neatness and simplicity, and with regard to health, there would be a universal reform. If they would work from an elevated standpoint, they could bring their habits of life into conformity with the laws of their being, and live in obedience to both the physical and the moral requirements of God. Then there would be less money, less nerve force, less physical strength, squandered for artificial decorations, to the sacrifice of natural beauty. We should have more practical wives and mothers, and in many families that are now wretched because of their incorrect ideas of life, there would be a happy change." CTBH 92
"The fashionable part may be discarded, and should be by all who will read the Word of God." SpM 91
Right and Wrong
Reasons for Dressing Differently from Others
"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 dress in order
to be like the world. But they should manifest a noble independence,
and moral courage to be right, if all the world differ from them. If
the world introduce a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress,
which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation
to God, or to the world to adopt such a style of dress. Christians
should follow
Christ, and conform their dress to God's word.
They should shun extremes. They should humbly pursue a straightforward
course, irrespective of applause or of censure, and should cling to the
right, because of its own merits." 2SM 476, 477
"There
were some things that made the reform dress a decided blessing. With it
the ridiculous hoops, which were then the fashion, could not possibly
be worn; nor the long, trailing skirts, sweeping up the filth of the
streets. But in recent years a more sensible style of dress has been
adopted by the world, which does not embrace these objectionable
features; and if our sisters wish to make their dresses after these
models, simple and plain, the Lord will not be dishonored by their doing so." SHM 441, 442
"How shall we dress? If any wore heavy quilts before the introduction of hoops, merely for show and not for comfort, they sinned against themselves by injuring their health, which it is their duty to preserve. If any wear them now merely to look like hoops, they commit sin; for they are seeking to imitate a fashion which is disgraceful. Corded skirts were worn before hoops were introduced. I have worn a light corded skirt since I was fourteen years of age, not for show but for comfort and decency. Because hoops were introduced I did not lay off my corded skirt for them. Shall I now throw it aside because the fashion of hoops is introduced? No; that would be carrying the matter to an extreme.
"I should ever bear in mind that I must be an example and therefore must not run into this or that fashion, but pursue an even and independent course and not be driven to extremes in regard to dress. To throw off my corded skirt that was always modest and comfortable, and put on a thin cotton skirt, and thus appear ridiculous in the other extreme, would be wrong, for then I would not set a right example, but would put an argument into the mouths of hoop wearers. To justify themselves for wearing hoops they would point to me as one who does not wear them, and say that they would not disgrace themselves in that way. By going to such extremes we would destroy all the influence which we might otherwise have had, and lead the wearers of hoops to justify their course. We must dress modestly, without the least regard to the hoop fashion.
"There is a medium position in these things. Oh, that we all might wisely find that position and keep it. In this solemn time let us all search our own hearts, repent of our sins, and humble ourselves before God." 1T 424-426
"We are aware that as we speak and write upon the subject of woman's dress we have to stem the current of custom." HR,
"Many say, Oh! the pants look so singular! Everybody stares, and women nudge one another, and look so comical, and some laugh outright. Weighty reasons, these! It is not among the possibilities to get up anything so deforming and uncomfortable as the hump fashion places on the backs of women. This, and the looped, puffed, and ruffled overskirts are devoid of taste and beauty. But these things are tolerated because they are fashionable. How could these slaves of such hideous fashions reasonably laugh at any manner of dress they should behold? Our work shall be, by the grace of God, to preserve simplicity of dress, and stand with moral independence in defiance of fashions that have no regard for natural beauty or physical law....
"We cannot see wherein the reform dress we recommend is unbecoming. True, it is not fashionable. But what of that? Fashions do not always come from Heaven. Neither do they always come from the pure, the virtuous, and the good.
"It would indeed be a wonderful
thing, if fashion would invent anything as modest, simple, and
sensible, as the reform dress which is in harmony with physical law." HR,
Danger of Seventh-day
Adventists Following Fashion
"Human reasoning has ever sought to evade or set aside the simple, direct instructions of the Word of God. In every age a majority of the professed followers of Christ have disregarded those precepts which enjoin self-denial and humility, which require modesty and simplicity of conversation, deportment, and apparel. The result has ever been the same--departure from the teachings of the gospel leads to the adoption of the fashions, customs, and principles of the world. Vital godliness gives place to a dead formalism. The presence and power of God, withdrawn from those world-loving circles, are found with a class of humble worshipers, who are willing to obey the teachings of the Sacred Word. Through successive generations this course has been pursued. One after another different denominations have risen and yielding their simplicity, have lost, in a great measure, their early power." CG 430
"The dress worn by many of our sisters testifies against them,--professors in name, but lovers of the world by practice....
"Have you not, my sisters, given
to the world a wrong example in your dress and in your selfish
indulgence? Will you not have to render an account to God for the
influence you have exerted in favor of needless adornment and display?" RH,
"Will
you, young friends, arise and shake off this dreadful indifference and
stupor which has conformed you to the world? Will you heed the voice of
warning which tells you that destruction lies in the path of those who
are at ease in this hour of danger? God's patience will not always wait
for you, poor, trifling souls. He who holds our destinies in His hands
will not always be trifled with. Jesus declares to us that there is a
greater sin than that which caused the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah. It is the sin of those who have the great light of truth in
these days and who are not moved to repentance. It is the sin of
rejecting the light of the most solemn message of mercy to the world.
It is the sin of those who see Jesus in the wilderness of temptation,
bowed down as with mortal agony because of the sins of the world, and
yet are not moved to thorough repentance. He fasted nearly six weeks to
overcome, in behalf of men, the indulgence of appetite and vanity, and
the desire for display and worldly honor. He has shown them how they
may overcome on their own account as He overcame; but it is not
pleasant to their natures to endure conflict and reproach, derision and
shame, for His dear sake. It is not agreeable to deny self and to be
ever seeking to do good to others. It is not pleasant to overcome as
Christ overcame, so they turn from the pattern which is plainly given
them to copy and refuse to imitate the example that the Saviour came
from the heavenly courts to leave them.
"It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for those who have had the privileges and the great light which shines in our day, but who have neglected to follow the light and to give their hearts fully to God."3T 379, 380
"Christ is ashamed of His professed followers. Wherein do we bear any resemblance to Him? Wherein does our dress conform to the Bible requirements? I do not want the sins of the people upon me, and I will give the trumpet a certain sound. For years I have borne a plain and decided testimony upon this subject, in print and upon the speaker's stand. I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. I must be clear of the blood of all. The fact that worldliness and pride bear almost universal sway is no excuse for one Christian to do as others do. God has said: 'Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.'
"Do not, my sisters, trifle longer with your own souls and with God. I have been shown that the main cause of your backsliding is your love of dress. This leads to the neglect of grave responsibilities, and you find yourselves with scarcely a spark of the love of God in your hearts. Without delay, renounce the cause of your backsliding, because it is sin against your own soul and against God. Be not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God." 4T 647
"But Sabbathkeepers have a work to do. Hoops, I was shown, are an abomination, and every Sabbathkeeper's influence should be a rebuke to this ridiculous fashion, which has been a screen to iniquity, and which arose from a house of ill fame in Paris. Individuals were shown me who will despise instruction, even if it comes from heaven; they will frame some excuse to avoid the most pointed testimony, and in defiance of all the light given will put on hoops because it is the fashion, and risk the consequences.
"The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: 'Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.' I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled. Young men and women professing to be Christians, yet having no Christian experience, and having borne no burdens and felt no individual responsibility, are to be proved. They will be brought low in the dust and will long for an experience in the things of God, which they have failed to obtain." 1T 269, 270
"Pride
and extravagance in dress is a sin to which woman is especially prone.
Hence the injunction of the apostle relates directly to her: 'In like
manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls,
or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with
good works.'"RH,
"Should not the people of God, who are his peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of his people. Pride is rebuked in his word." 2SM 474
"Simple, plain, unpretending dress will be a recommendation to my youthful sisters. In no better way can you let your light shine to others than in your simplicity of dress and deportment. You may show to all that, in comparison with eternal things, you place a proper estimate upon the things of this life." 3T 376
"Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith. Are we of the number who see the folly of worldlings in indulging in extravagance of dress as well as in love of amusements? If so, we should be of that class who shun everything that gives sanction to this spirit which takes possession of the minds and hearts of those who live for this world only and who have no thought or care for the next." 3T 366
“Let the clothing be plain and neat, without extravagance of display.” 3SM 245
"But
I knew that I must be plain in my dress. I believed it to be wicked to
think so much of appearance, to decorate our poor mortal bodies with
flowers and gold. It seemed to me that we had better be humbling
ourselves in the dust, for our sins and transgressions were so great
that God gave his only beloved Son to die for us."2SG 12-14 [Ellen
White’s experience at the time of her baptism into the
“…Another, less objectionable style is now presented. It is free from needless trimmings, free from the looped-up, tied back overskirts. It consists of a plain sack or loose-fitting basque, and skirt….” 4T 640
"Our ministers and their wives should be an example in plainness of dress; they should dress neatly, comfortably, wearing good material, but avoiding anything like extravagance and trimmings, even if not expensive; for these things tell to our disadvantage. We should educate the youth to simplicity of dress, plainness with neatness." TM 180
“But our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service.” MH 288
"The style of dress formerly adopted by the Friends, is the least objectionable. Many of them have backslidden, and although they may preserve the uniformity of color, yet they have indulged in pride and extravagance, and their dress has been of the most expensive material. Still their selection of plain colors, and the modest and neat arrangement of their clothing, is worthy of imitation by Christians." 2SM 473
HL 120
“Such articles of finery and extravagance may be in keeping with Snell’s Seminary, but they are not in keeping with our faith as God's peculiar people, and not in accordance with your own teachings to others, even…." PH096 49, 50
"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.... 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, and I hope you will not consult your dress-maker but 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 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." MR926 23
"Not
a few of our people are backsliding. They are imitating the fashions of
the world.... Some who were once zealous reformers are now indifferent.
Sisters who were once plain in dress are now conforming to fashion. God
expects his commandment-keeping people to be distinct from worldlings,
but in many instances the line of demarcation is hardly discernible." RH,
“We are nearing the close of this
world's history. A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the Word
of God, in regard to the plainness of dress. This should be our burden.” SpM
90, 91
"If all our sisters would adopt a simple, unadorned dress of modest length, the uniformity thus established would be far more pleasing to God, and would exert a more salutary influence on the world, than the diversity presented four years ago. As our sisters would not generally accept the reform dress as it should be worn, another, less objectionable style is now presented. It is free from needless trimmings, free from the looped-up, tied back overskirts. It consists of a plain sack or loose-fitting basque, and skirt, the latter short enough to avoid the mud and filth of the streets. The material should be free from large plaids and figures, and plain in color. The same attention should be given to the clothing of the limbs as with the short dress.
"Will
my sisters accept this style of dress and refuse to imitate the
fashions that are devised by Satan and continually changing? No one can
tell what freak fashion will take next. Worldlings whose only care is,
'What shall we eat, and what shall we wear?' should not be our
criterion.
"Some have said: 'After I wear out this dress, I will make the next
plainer.' Now, if conformity to the fashions of the world is right and
pleasing to God, where is the need of making a change at all? But if it
is wrong, is it best to continue in the wrong any longer than is
positively necessary to make the change? Right here we would remind you
of the zeal and earnestness, the skill and perseverance, you manifested
in preparing your dress according to the fashion. Would it not be
praiseworthy to manifest at least equal earnestness to make it conform
to the Bible standard? Precious, God-given time and means were used in
fashioning those garments; and now what are you willing to sacrifice to
correct the wrong example you have been giving to others?" 4T 640
“A beautiful character is of value
in the sight of God. Such beauty will attract, but not mislead. Such charms are
fast colors; they never fade.” ST,
"The
apostle presents the inward adorning, in contrast with the outward, and
tells us what the great God values. The outward is corruptible. But the
meek and quiet spirit, the development of a beautifully symmetrical
character, will never decay. It is an adornment which is not
perishable. In the sight of the Creator of everything that is valuable,
lovely, and beautiful, it is declared to be of great price." HR,
"There is a dress which every child and youth may innocently seek to obtain. It is the righteousness of the saints. If they will only be as willing and persevering in obtaining this as they are in fashioning their garments after the standard of worldly society, they will very soon be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and their names will not be blotted out of the book of life....
"If you have separated yourselves from the world, God has said that He will be your Father, and you shall be His sons and daughters. Is not that enough? What greater inducement could be presented before you? Is there any great object in being a butterfly and having no substance or aim in life? Oh! let me stand on the platform of eternal truth. Give me immortal worth. Let me grasp the golden chain that is let down from heaven to earth, and let it draw me up to God and glory. This is my ambition; this is my aim. If others have no higher object than dress, if they can delight in outward display and satisfy their souls with bows and ribbons and fantastic things, let them enjoy these. But let me have the inward adorning. Let me be clothed with that meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price....It is this which makes a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." 2T 593
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