The True Adorning by David Downer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1872

The True Adorning.

By David Downer

“Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.” 1 Pet. 3:3.

LANGUAGE so plain as the above should never be mistaken, and those who are slow to get the meaning of this language and obey it, are, I fear, designedly slow to comprehend it. The sister who is trying to extricate herself from former habits of pride, will find this language acting upon her like frost on tender vines, destroying the very roots.

Peter says the adorning shall not be of plaiting the hair. God has given the hair for a covering. But see how the arrangement of the Creator has been reversed. No item of the toilet changes a woman's appearance more than the way she dresses her head; consequently, the art of dressing the hair is becoming a thing of importance; and not a few are devoting all their time to the outside, and none to the inside of the head.

A fine growth of hair is beautiful to look at. Such hair needs little ornamentation besides its own glossy ringlets. It is an insult to nature to spoil luxuriant hair by mixing in a lot of dead hair. No woman has natural hair enough to meet the demand of the present elaborate fashion, which alone proclaims its own absurdity.

The unnatural heat produced by these fearful fashions is causing much needless pain in headaches, and fatigue in carrying the burden. How long would a man of sense have his head enveloped in a cushion of mohair or dead human hair? Imagine him in this plight at the desk, or in the counting room, or preaching, where a cool head is necessary to the achievement of his task.

Men think, and think, and think, over individual and national progress, until their brains burn up with fever. Men do not care so much for grey hair, red hair, or curly hair, if they only have the investment inside, which is a good stock in trade, or a profession to insure prosperity in life. Why should not women think more of sense and ability, than looks? Surely there are not enough beauties in the world to secure success merely on that basis. And it is a humiliating fact that homely women of wit and sense win all the lasting laurels, and receive the most attention: a fact that ought to work reform in idle and useless lives.

If short hair is so much more convenient and beautiful for men, why not for women? Despite the prejudice against this simple style, many have adopted it, and find it agreeable. However, whether long or short, a simple arrangement of the hair, which is as productive of as little heat as possible, is most desirable. I truly believe we should adopt a style of life and dress that will harmonize as nearly as possible with God's holy word, and not allow ourselves to become slaves of fashion or pride. May the Lord help us, is my prayer, that we may be prepared for the great and trying day.

DAVID DOWNER.

Sand Prairie, Wis.