Dress by M. D. Amadon

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 19, 1867

Dress.

By M. D. Amadon

From the dawn of present truth until the present time, a great deal has been said upon the subject of dress. It has seemingly needed a constant warfare to keep down a worldly spirit in this direction, among Seventh-day Adventists.

There are, and ever have been, those who, not caring as they should which way their influence goes, it is evident, have needed all that has been said, to reprove pride, and yet are not much better off, but fashion and what “they wear” is the ruling power. To be one year behind in style of dress, to wear a hat or bonnet pressed on last year’s block, or a dress or cloak cut from last year’s pattern, would be almost disgraceful. In fact, if you want to find the new fashions at once, it can be easily done without going outside of the church. Just as near like the world and retaining a name among God’s people, has been the aim of some, none can deny. Others have felt the dangers to which they were exposed, and tried to contend against them, while another class have sought an opposite extreme, and avoided anything like the world, good, bad, or indifferent.

Thus the battle has gone on until now, and still we are not much nearer the right than before. With the world, fashion is terrible. The whole class of woman kind are drunk with it (with perhaps now and then an exception). It seems to be woman’s business, in this age of the world, to dress, chat, and gossip.

Mankind are not in such a sad dilemma. Men go about their business. They dress as they please, and nobody finds fault (are they not to be envied?). But women have not much else to do but to think how they are to look and appear at church, sociables, festivals, &c., make morning calls, and sit at afternoon tea-parties. Health and modesty are become obsolete, and should a lady appear at one of these public gatherings attired in a modest, healthful dress, she would doubtless have to bear the curling lip of scorn, and haughty, indignant airs from those of her own sex, no better than herself, simply because she is not in fashion.

But how is it with God’s people? Should they follow in the wake? The Bible teaches that they should be peculiar, that is, unlike the world around them, even separate and distinct from them. Thus it was anciently. They were not permitted to mingle with other nations, lest they became like them. And whenever they did imbibe their customs and ways, God forsook them till they returned to the laws and precepts he had given them.

Christ’s life was also a pattern here. It is said that

he wore a plain, seamless coat. Should people now-a-days choose to dress so, some, who would stare should you question their Christianity, would cry out, “Oh! that will hurt your influence.” Did Christ fear it? No! His study was to save his fellow-men. For them he gave his life.

But how may we aim at the mark and press toward it. There is one surely. The Bible is very minute on all points. It does not stop with giving us the ten moral precepts—God’s holy law—but branches off into all the little by-paths where a transgression of that law would lead us. To help us here, Paul gives to Timothy a rule so simple that a child may understand it. If it were good then, it surely will serve us now, for dress is far more the rage now than when Paul lived.

“In like manner, also, that women adorn themselves with modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array. But, which becometh women professing godliness, with good works.” A simple rule in mathematics could not be plainer than this.

It teaches us modesty, even to bashfulness; to be sober, economical, and to adorn our lives with good works, not merely laboring for ourselves, but seeking to benefit our fellow-men.

What need we more? Surely here is a rule, which, if followed, will lead us from all the snares in which fashion and pride would catch us. Had it been followed by Seventh-day Adventists, far less labor would have been needed to save us from these snares, and the principles of reform would have much more weight upon our minds at the present time. But it is not too late now. We can adopt it here with safety. First, modesty and simplicity, second, sobriety, or not gaudy colors, third, economy, or not extravagant clothing, fourth, to let our adorning be our good works, and not a life of selfishness.

Dear sisters, here is a standard around which we may with safety rally. But I would not be misunderstood. An untidy dress is a dishonor to any one. An ill-fitting garment, unnecessary, without defacing the forms God has given us. Any man with a manly heart in him, respects his wife and children more if neatly attired than otherwise.

The apostle Paul gives another exhortation to the Philippians which it might be well to apply here.

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things.” This might apply on the point of dress, or, at least, we might say without mutilating the word of God, Whatsoever things are modest, sober, tidy, prudent, economical, and healthful, let us give attention to these things.

Very often, we, in Battle Creek, hear very criticizing remarks made about us, by our brethren and sisters abroad, on the subject of dress. To speak plainly, it has seemed that there was no better standard for people generally than the Battle Creek church. Well, we will not accuse any one of this, but would recommend Paul’s standard as far better. We do not wish to speak boastingly, but there are those even in the Battle Creek church who feel the importance of setting a good and right example. I trust, sooner than exert an influence on the wrong side, they would sacrifice a right hand, or a right eye. Such seek to realize the importance of the work of present truth. With such, the Testimonies of the spirit of God, have, and ever have had, a saving influence, it is hoped, and they seek to have their consciences gauged by the word of God, and not by the example of imperfect, erring mortals.

But it is not denied that there are those in Battle Creek whose example has shown that “dame fashion” has ruled them, and although some efforts have indicated a desire to go with God’s people, yet it has too often been evident that a place was sought for pride also. The adorning has not been as the apostle says, good works, but to appear well, look well, dress well, &c. But these things do not pass unheeded in Battle Creek. Those who seek to find something by which to criticise their sisters here, know not how much labor is bestowed upon those who are not as they should be, patterns of piety, or examples of holiness to others, but rather stumbling-blocks in their way.

Dear brethren and sisters, we realize that Battle Creek is where Providence has seen fit to establish the present truth. Here is the center of the work.

We are willing to have others look for us to be Christ-like in all things. We expect this, and it should be so. But while this is claimed, it is hoped that those who have not much else to care for, will remember not to watch for something to make it a subject of remarks.

We rather need, and solicit the prayers of all to aid us in honoring in our lives what we trust we hold dearer than life itself, the cause of truth. Certainly this is our aim, yea, our vehement desire.

We do not seek for rest here. It is not to be found. We do not ask for a life free from care, while our brethren and sisters are toiling by our side. Few know but little of the responsibility those feel whose lot is cast at the head of the work; fearing that some misstep may mislead one soul. Such need the prayers of God’s people. Like Aaron and Hur should they hold up their hands that Israel may prevail, and may Heaven aid them in the work.

We wonder not that the Psalmist’s inspired pen could write, “Oh! that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” But hope whispers that rest from toil and care is near, yea, sweet rest in Heaven. The city of God will soon unfold its gates to the overcomers, and only such. Should those whose purpose it is here to find fault in their brethren and sisters, be permitted to enter there, they would, perhaps, find some fault in the city of God! But no, all is purity and love, and such must be our character if we would make sure of that home.

It is near, and may I, and may all, be so happy as to share in the rest that remains for the people of God.

M. D. AMADON.

Battle Creek, Mich.