p. 117 | WEARING OF GOLD by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1869

WEARING OF GOLD.

By D. T. Bourdeau

Not many years since, it was considered a sin by Baptists, Methodists, and other denominations, to wear gold; and I well remember when the Baptists, to whom I belonged, and who used to enjoy more of the Spirit of God than they now do, made it a rule to take up a labor, in love, with those members who put on gold. But for quite a number of years the different denominations have undergone a great change on this point, and have almost universally adopted the practice of wearing gold and other vain ornaments. Is this decidedly an improvement? or is it a violation of gospel principles? As it is connected with great departures from primitive practices on plainness of dress, as it goes hand in hand with those extravagances in dress and vain fashions, that were made a matter of prophecy which has its application at the present time (see Isa. iii, 15-26), there is a great likelihood that it indicates a falling away rather than a real advance in piety and virtue. And this likelihood becomes a matter of certainty when we bear in mind that wearing of gold is condemned in the New Testament. Says Peter, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Pet. iii, 3, 4. See also 1 Tim. ii, 9.

What can be plainer than this: not “wearing of gold.” How can any, bearing the name of Christians, wear gold, with this scripture prohibition which is just as plain as, “Thou shalt not kill,” and “Thou shalt not steal,” staring them in the face? Let none justify themselves by the fact that gold was worn in Old-Testament times. Many things were permitted in those times, that are not tolerated under the gospel. And we see a reason for this prohibition. The Lord foresaw that the race would become more and more proud and selfish, and that they would be more and more inclined to idolize themselves, and thus be enjoined greater plainness in dress. The greater the tendency to err in a certain direction, the greater should be the caution and effort to counteract that tendency. The greater the danger, the farther should we keep from it, even though we might appear, to some, to deny ourselves of what would seem harmless.

We are living in an age in which it may be emphatically said that “pride has budded,” Eze. vii, 10, and in which even those who have “a form of godliness and deny the power thereof” are, by the apostle, denominated “proud,” 2 Tim. iii; and while we should, on one hand, avoid running in the extreme of neglecting taste and order in our dress and person, our example should be a rebuke to all the superfluities and vanities in dress and apparel that are so prevalent at the present time. This duty is clearly seen in the example of Elijah, and of John the Baptist, who, as all Adventists believe, represent those who shall rightly engage in the work of preparing for the second coming of Christ. It is also enjoined by the example of our dear Saviour.

If I wore gold, I should leave it off, 1. Because the Bible forbids it. 2. Because of the unnecessary expense connected with it. And here I would not justify myself because it did not cost me anything, nor even because it was given me by some cherished friend who now sleeps. I can remember friends without it, and God and Jesus are my best friends, and I must please them first. 3. Because it feeds pride, and self, which must die. And those who claim they have not worn it through pride can the more easily lay it aside. 4. It sets a bad example, and hinders a good reform. Like begets like. If the weak, who love show, see us wear gold to a small degree, they think they are justified in putting it on to a greater extent. For, say they, gold is gold, and such a brother or sister wears it, and I can. Of course they should not follow our example any farther than it comports with the teachings of the Bible and the example of the great Pattern. Yet some have not fully seen Jesus, and until they do, we are the stepping-stone by which they are to reach and contemplate him, until, enraptured by his perfect and glorious character, they lose sight of us. With this view of the subject, how important it is that our example be just right, that we be waymarks to the kingdom, that others, by seeing our good works, may be led to glorify our Heavenly Father; that we gather with Christ and scatter not abroad.

Let none lay aside their jewelry simply to please me, or because I have written these lines. Weigh what I have written. Examine the word of God with a desire to know and do his will. Take the matter to the Lord in prayer. Try your motives. Think of the seamless garment that your Saviour wore. View the crown of thorns that marred his sacred head, and the print of the nails in his hands and feet, and the scar of the spear in his side. Think of your sins which caused the shame and death of the Son of God. Seek to adorn yourselves with the Christian graces. Remember the time of trouble just before us, in which even the wicked will throw all their idols and vanities away from them, having more weighty matters to consider, when it is too late to reform and obtain the favor of God. Let not pride of opinion, and what you have decided in the past, keep you from deciding for the right. Prepare for the Judgment. Prepare to meet thy God.

D. T. BOURDEAU.