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Christian Dress

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 53.

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Christian Dress

By MRS. M. T. POSTON

MRS. M. T. POSTON
In love for his people, the Lord has given them much light in regard to plain dress and what it is; but how much we appreciate and love that light is shown by our faithfulness in walking in it.
It is a principle of truth that as light is followed it becomes precious; while on the other hand, light rejected or neglected not only becomes darkness, but also an annoyance and a vexation whenever very much is said about it.
It is a sad fact that Seventh-day Adventists are departing from the simplicity and plainness of dress which characterized them formerly. Recently one of another denomination visited our church, and remarked afterward to our pastor's wife, “I attended your church last Sabbath. Your people do not dress so plainly as they used to; they dress now like the people of other churches.”
In view of this condition, which is not limited to any one church, we may profitably ask, What do I need at this time—more light on how to dress plainly, or more willingness to walk in the light I already have?
One who has been long in our work was once asked why he did not do certain things. His reply was, “Because I love the Lord;” and this is the best reason in the world for wearing plain dress—because we love the Lord. When we love the Lord better than we love the world, shall we not love the kind of dress the Lord asks us to wear, rather than the foolish fashions of the world?
The requirement for plainness and simplicity of apparel, found in the Bible and often mentioned in the Testimonies, is not an arbitrary matter on the part of our heavenly Father; the instruction given is not merely for the exercise of authority, but to hedge against danger. For as surely as the love of money is the root of all evil, just so surely the love of dress works shipwreck to eternal interests; and as truly as covetousness is idolatry, so truly the excessive love of dress is idolatry.
Some mothers dress plainly themselves, but apparently feel that plain dress is not necessary for their children. The idea seems to prevail that the pure, straight principles of God's righteousness need modification according to some worldly standard before they are given to children. Such ideas should have no place in our lives.
An earnest sister, new in the faith and in her first love for God and his Word and the testimony of his Spirit, dressed herself plainly and began to dress her six-months-old baby so, but was led away by the example of other mothers, and soon had her clothed in the fashionable apparel of the world. Naturally, when the little girl was older, she loved dress, and later she chose a husband of the world, and became lost to the truth we love.
How early do children learn to love the adornments of worldly dress?—Almost from the cradle. “Give me the first seven years of the child's life, and you may have it after that,” say some educators. These are the years when the most lasting impressions are made. Begin early and begin right to train the child in these impressionable and quickly passing days.
The mother who adorns the dress of her child in infancy is forming a habit she will hardly break away from in dressing it later, and is training into her child that which only God can take out, and that which, unless removed, means ruin to her loved one. “It is our duty to dress ourselves plainly, and to clothe our children neatly, without useless ornamentation, embroidery, or display, taking care not to foster in them a love of dress that will prove their ruin.”