DRESS NEATLY ON THE SABBATH.
By D. M. Carright
On several occasions I have observed brethren and sisters come to meeting upon the Sabbath day in their every-day clothing, brethren with dirty shirts and collars. If this were the best they had, or could consistently obtain, no one would find fault. But on the next day, Sunday, they come to meeting dressed up in much better clothing; or if they go visiting, or go to another church to meeting, they take more pains with their dress and general personal appearance. This seems very offensive to me, and I believe it is offensive to God. It shows a disrespect for the Sabbath and for the worship of God and for the presence of his people. I always think, and am seldom deceived in this, that such persons are only half in the truth. It is a very sacred thing to go to the house of God to meet with the Lord on his holy day. This is the time, if ever, when God draws near his people. Anciently when the Lord was to come especially nigh to his people, he said to Moses, “Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day; for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai.” Ex. 19: 10, 11. This shows that the Lord notices these things. Again, when Jacob went to worship before God, we notice he gave his household special direction upon this subject. “Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.” Gen. 35: 2. Brethren and sisters, let us show our respect for God, for his worship, and for his holy Sabbath, by appearing neat, clean, and tidy in the house of God.