Modest Apparel by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1912

Modest Apparel

By K. C. RUSSELL

K. C. RUSSELL

The October, 1912, number of the Lutheran Advocate contains an article on the question of dress that deserves to be passed on for others to read. It is as follows:—

“There is a Scripture passage which has been running through my mind a bit of late. I think of it every time I go to town and see crowds of people on the street. I think of it sometimes when I sit in church. I think of it, in short, whenever I see women gowned after the modern fashion. The passage I refer to is in Paul’s letter to Timothy, in which he says, ‘In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.’ I do not claim to be much of an authority on feminine fashion, but it does not require an expert to see that modern styles are not modest. One needs only to be a man to see that a woman who appears on the street in a gown so cut as to reveal every curve and line of her body may be dressed in style, but she is certainly not arrayed in ‘modest apparel.’ I understand that

some of these women are complaining that men and boys stare at them when they appear on the street. Why should they complain? Don’t they want to be stared at? If not, why in the name of common sense do they tog themselves out in such a fashion? I once heard the question asked, Where do the styles come from? The answer was given, ‘We get them from —, of New York; he gets them from —, of Paris; and he gets them from the devil.’ At the time, I thought that while this reply was rather inelegant, it was somewhat funny, and I laughed at it. Since I became very observant, I do not laugh at that any more; I see too much grim truth in it.”

While this article is expressed in a plain, unvarnished way, nevertheless it contains truths which will appeal very strongly to those who desire to follow the teachings of God’s Word on the question of dress reform. It has been demonstrated, however, that it is of little use for persons simply to lay aside questionable articles of dress in order to conform to a regulation of the church, while a love for them still exists in their hearts.

Many instances might be cited where persons have laid aside their finger-rings and other articles of jewelry, and the flowers and feathers which adorned their hats at the time of baptism, knowing that the minister would refuse to immerse them if they persisted in wearing the same. It is a lamentable fact that many times these adornments have reappeared on their apparel subsequent to their baptism.

It must be evident to every conscientious Seventh-day Adventist that the work of teaching true dress reform to those who have newly accepted the truth, is made very difficult by those professed Seventh-day Adventists who are indulging in these vain things. ‘A word to the wise is sufficient.’

Chicago, Ill.