Resolutions on Dress

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1866

Resolutions on Dress

ADOPTED BY THE BATTLE CREEK CHURCH OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, APR. 30, 1866.

In view of the present corrupt and corrupting state of the world, and the shameful extremes to which pride and fashion are leading their votaries, and the danger of some among us, especially the young, being contaminated by the influence and example of the world around them,—we feel constrained as a church, to express our views on the subject of Dress, in the following Resolutions, which we believe are truly scriptural, and such as will commend themselves to the Christian taste and judgment of our brethren and sisters everywhere.

R E S O L U T I O N S.

Point 1. We believe, as a church, that it is the duty of our members in all matters of Dress, to be SCRUPULOUSLY PLAIN.

Point 2. We regard plumes, feathers, flowers, and all superfluous bonnet ornaments, as only the outward index of a vain heart, and as such are not to be tolerated in any of our members.

Point 3. Jewelry.—We believe that every species of gold, silver, coral, pearl, rubber, and hair jewelry, are not only entirely superfluous, but strictly forbidden by the plain teachings of the Scriptures.

Point 4. Trimming of Dresses.—We hold that flounces, loops, and a profusion of ribbons, cording, braid, embroidery, buttons, &c., in dress trimming, are vanities condemned by the Bible, (see Isa. iii), and consequently should not be countenanced by "women professing godliness."

Point 5. Low-Necked Dresses.—These we believe are a disgrace to community, and a sin in the church; and all who patronize this shameful fashion, transgress the apostle's command, to "adorn themselves in modest apparel." 1 Tim. ii, 9.

Point 6. Dressing the Hair.—We believe that the extravagant dressing and ornamenting of the hair, so common at this time, is condemned by the apostle; (1 Tim. ii, 9); and that the various beaded and spangled net-works, such as are used to contain those artificial deformities called "water-falls," "water-wheels," &c., are the "cauls" of Isa. iii, 18, [margin], which God has threatened to take away in the day of his anger.

Point 7. We hold that in the matter of shaving and coloring the beard, some of our brethren display a species of vanity equally censurable with that of certain of the sisters in dressing the hair; and that in all cases should they discard every style which will betoken the air of the fop; but while we have no objections to a growth of beard on all parts of the face, as nature designed it, yet where any portion of the beard is removed, we think the brethren greatly err from the sobriety of the Christian in donning the moustache or goatee.

Point 8. We believe that the extreme fashions of the present day in bonnets and hats, for females, are not to be countenanced; but that the main object to be kept in view in obtaining wearing apparel for the head, is COVERING AND PROTECTION.

Point 9. Hoops.—We believe that "hoops are a shame," [Spir. Gifts, Vol. 4, p. 68], meaning by hoops anything of the kind, by which from its size, or the nature of the material, the form of the wearer is liable to be immodestly exposed. See Ex. xx, 26.

Point 10. Costly Apparel.—We believe that Paul by the expression, "costly array," [1 Tim. ii, 9], condemns the obtaining of the most costly material for garments, either for males or females, although it may be unexceptionable in other respects.

Point 11. New Fashions.—We believe that the people of God should be slow to adopt new fashions, of whatever sort they may be; for if not useful, we ought never to adopt them; if they are, it will be time enough for us to take them after they have been tested, and the excitement of their introduction has passed away; and having once found that which is neat, modest, and convenient, let us be slow to change. See Titus ii, 14.