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Coatless Congregations

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 30, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 44.

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Coatless Congregations

By W. S. Chapman

W. S. CHAPMAN
During the prevalence of the excessive heat last summer there arose a movement in the popular churches among the men to discard their coats and to attend service in their shirt-sleeves. Some ministers appeared in their pulpits coatless. In several of our own churches coats were discarded by many of the members as well as church officers.
Diversity of opinion seems to exist as to the propriety and consistency of such a course, but in the Testimonies there is light on this as well as other questions concerning duty. We shall not find the matter of appearing in the house of God in shirt-sleeves presented or even named, but we are shown clearly the principle involved and are expected to make the proper application.
In the history of ancient Israel as presented in the Bible, the manner in which God sought to train his people to observe his requirements is given. We find that even the dress of his people was to be different from that of the nations round about them, and when the ceremonial service was instituted the dress of the priests and Levites was described in minutest detail.
“Anciently the priests were required to have their garments in a particular style to do service in the holy place, and minister in the priest’s office. They were to have garments in accordance with their work, and God distinctly specified what these should be.” “There was to be nothing slack and untidy about those who appeared before him, when they came into his holy presence. And why was this? What was the object of all this carefulness? Was it merely to recommend the people to God? Was it merely to gain his approbation? The reason that was given me was this, that a right impression might be made upon the people. If those who ministered in the sacred office should fail to manifest care and reverence for God in their apparel and their deportment, the people would lose their awe and their reverence for God and his sacred service. If the priests showed great reverence for God, by being very careful and very particular as they came into his presence, it gave the people an exalted idea of God and his requirements: It showed them that God was holy, that his work was sacred, and that everything in connection with his work must be holy.”
In these statements God’s servant lays before us a principle that governs wherever it is applicable. In the matter of dress whatever would apply to a minister is, unquestionably, applicable to any and all church officers and members. The following was written to a brother who did not appreciate the value to him personally of previous testimonies that had been sent to others:—
“The object in publishing the testimonies is that those who are not singled out personally, yet who are as much in fault as those who are reproved, may be warned through the reproofs given to others. . . . The last view given me was above two years ago. I was then directed to bring out general principles, in speaking and in writing, and at the same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some individuals, that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled. I saw that all should search their own hearts and lives closely, to see if they had not made the same mistakes for which others were corrected, and if the warnings given for others did not apply to their own cases.”
“A minister who is negligent in his apparel often wounds those of good taste and refined sensibilities. Those who are faulty in this respect should correct their errors, and be more circumspect.” “The very dress will be a recommendation to unbelievers. It will be a sermon in itself.” “But look at the style of dress worn by some of our ministers at the present day. . . . What is the impression given by such a manner of dress? It is that the work in which they are engaged is considered no more sacred or elevated than common labor, as plowing in the field. The minister by his example brings down sacred things upon a level with common things.”
Our God is precise in all his ways, methodical in all his work, and particular concerning details. Let us strive to meet his requirements that we may be pleasing in his sight.