p. 503 | A FEW QUERIES ANSWERED by E. A. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 7, 1900

A FEW QUERIES ANSWERED.

By E. A. H.

E. A. H.

Are young as well as old expected to dress plainly?

I suggest that special efforts be made by the youth to help one another to live faithful to their baptismal vows, and that they pledge themselves solemnly before God to withdraw their affections from dress and display. I would remind the youth who ornament their persons, and wear feathers upon their hats, that, because of their sins, our Saviour's head wore the shameful crown of thorns. When you devote precious time to trimming your apparel, remember that the King of glory wore a plain, seamless coat.—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. III, page 379.

Is it right to trim children's dresses?

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, but seeking rather to cultivate the Christian graces.—Id., Vol. IV, page 72.

How would the children's dresses look without any trimming?

Families bind heavy burdens upon themselves by dressing their children in accordance with the fashion. What a waste of time! The little ones would look very inviting in a dress without a ruffle or ornament, but kept sweet and clean. It is such a trifle to wash and iron a dress of this style that the labor is not felt to be a burden.—Id., page 642.

Is it not necessary for a worker to conform somewhat to the world in dress, in order to have influence?

Many dress like the world, in order to have an influence over unbelievers; but here they make a sad mistake. If they would have a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction plain between the Christian and the worldling. The words, the dress, the actions, should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all around them, and even unbelievers will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.—Id., pages 633, 634.

When we realize that we have conformed to the world, shall we alter our dresses at once, or wait until they are worn out, and then make plain ones?

Some have said, “After I wear out this dress, I will make the next plainer.” Now, if conformity to the fashions of the world is right and pleasing to God, where is the need of making a change at all? But if it is wrong, is it best to continue in the wrong any longer than is positively necessary to make the change?

. . . Precious, God-given time and means were used in fashioning those garments, and now what are you willing to sacrifice to correct the wrong example you have been giving to others?—Id., page 640.

Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ, or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter, to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer.—Id., page 641.