L. J. W by L. J. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1901

L. J. W

By L. J. W.

HAVING read several articles in the REVIEW for lightening women's labor, especially that of washing, a few thoughts suggest themselves to my mind. In the first place, my washing is made easy by the use of a tin washer, made in the shape of a funnel with a wooden handle placed in the small end. This handle also serves as a stick with which to remove clothes from the boiler. The washer is used the same as the old-fashioned pounder, both in the tub and in the boiler, using it about five minutes in each, with hot suds. Very little, if any, rubbing is needed.

But I wish to speak more particularly of the ironing, which seems the harder part of the work, especially when the mercury goes up to more than one hundred degrees for days together. When I take garments from the line, I fold them evenly, and lay them smoothly in the basket. This is all the ironing needed for such things as sheets, towels, and many other plain things. The starched garments, if made without ruffles, are soon disposed of with hot irons; for the most difficult part of ironing is the trimmings. Besides, the Lord has told us that we should not spend our God-given time in making and caring for trimmed garments.

I know a good sister, whom I love dearly, who has several children, and leads a very busy life. She often says she has very little time to devote to reading or prayer; yet her own and her children's garments are always made after the prevailing fashion. The children go to the public school, and might have to bear ridicule if their garments were plain, according to the word of the Lord. But suppose they do? Are we not training our children to stand the peculiar trials that shall come upon them as well as ourselves in these last days? Why should we flatter ourselves that they can escape ridicule and be ready for translation? Why not teach them now, while we have them with us, to bear reproach for Him who bore shame and reproach for them? If we allow pride to foster and grow by imitating the world in trimmings on our hats and garments, shall we be prepared to meet Him who has said that all the proud shall be as stubble?

Dear sisters, shall we not make our garments plain, leaving off the ruffles, the braids, the embroideries, thereby lessening the work of making and ironing? and shall we not spend the time thus saved in the study of God's word? May the Lord help us to “get ready.”