ARE YOU BEAUTIFUL? by C. L. Richards

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1902

ARE YOU BEAUTIFUL?

By C. L. Richards

C. L. RICHARDS.

“Are you beautiful?” “Do you desire to become beautiful?” Many times we see these questions printed in large letters at the beginning of an advertisement, and then follows a recital of the many things that some “wonderful discovery” will do for those who will take it,—how it will “beautify the complexion, renew the hair, give new luster to the eye, etc., etc.” Many who are seeking for outward adorning eagerly grasp these things, and carefully follow the directions, with the vain hope that by thus burdening their systems with these health-destroying concoctions, they may “become beautiful.”

But let us see. What is true beauty? Does it consist merely in a beautiful complexion, in long, flowing hair, in fine-cut, regular features, or daintily arched brows? Is it these? or is it the true worth of intellect and soul back of these? Is it not the tender, sympathetic nature, the attentive, courteous manner, the constant forgetfulness of self,—a something in the inner man which so attracts us to certain persons that we cannot help loving them? The features may be irregular and ugly, yet the face may shine with the light of an indwelling goodness. The fruit of the Spirit born from a heart filled with the love of Jesus is the transforming influence. This is true beauty, beauty of soul, of character. This is what God looks at: “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

You ask, “How can we obtain this beauty? Is there a reliable prescription? can it be recommended to all, small or great, rich or poor?”—Yes; the Word says, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isa. 55:1. The secret we find in God’s word. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Ps. 119:130. “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Prov. 6:23. Peter, guided by the Spirit, says (1 Peter 3:3, 4), “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating 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;” and Paul adds (Heb. 12:2), “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” “For we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

These are our prescriptions. They are good for all, and never fail to develop true beauty. Let each one who professes the name of Christ, advertise it in glowing letters printed by the Spirit of God on the countenance, while the heart overflows with that love which “suffereth long, and is kind;” which “envieth not;” which “vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” It “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” That love never fails. Everything else may fail; earthly hopes and joys, ambitions and desires, may perish; but the love of God,—that love that caused Jesus to leave His Father’s home of glory, and come down to this sinful earth and suffer the ignominious death of the cross,—that love in the human heart will beautify the life and point the way heavenward.