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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 51.

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Our Costumes

By Mrs. H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

MRS. H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS
WHAT saith the Scripture regarding our dress? “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.” 1 Tim. 2:9.
Our dress should be modest, cleanly, healthful. It should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty. The most beautiful dress, he says, is a meek and quiet spirit, which in his sight is “of great price.”
Extravagance in dress and gaudy colors are prohibited. “Our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display.”—“Ministry of Healing,” page 288. A fantastic taste of putting on different colors is bad.
Look at the people of this world, madly rushing into the freaks, follies, and vanities of fashion. They seem to be striving to imitate the poor ignorant Indian and some of the customs of the heathen nations. Many who profess to be disciples of the meek and humble Nazarene, and to be looking for his soon appearing, are following customs and practices unbecoming to their profession.
God’s children are to be peculiar above all people upon the face of the earth, not patterning after the frivolities of this vain world. “And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 137.
Patterning after the changeable fashions takes valuable time and involves needless and unnecessary expense. “Useless trimmings and adornments should be discarded.” Those God-given moments devoted to embroidering and fancywork are not pleasing to him soon to claim his own; far better spend the time in prayer and studying how to reach the youth, relatives, and friends who are perishing for the knowledge we have.
A warning comes to us: “Delay shall be no longer.” Time is fast hastening on, and we are on the very verge of the eternal world. A crying need for means constantly comes to our ears: “A dearth is in the treasury;” “Missions are languishing;” “Some may be compelled to return because of a lack of means to assist missionaries who have left home, friends, and pleasant surroundings to labor in foreign lands.” Can we read such stirring appeals and fail to be moved enough to practice self-denial in our manner of dress? Is it possible that we are so blinded by the god of this world that we fail to see beauty and simplicity in plain costumes? May the mist be removed from our eyes, and we be enabled to sense our true condition before it is too late. “In these last days fashions are shameful and immodest.” “The inhabitants of earth are growing more and more corrupt, and the line of distinction must be more plain among the Israel of God, or the curse which falls upon worldlings will fall upon God’s professed people.”
Why not have a reformation on this question, and let it be our chief and highest aim to be loyal and true to our high and holy calling? King Immanuel demands it.
Loma Linda, Cal.