Against Pride of Dress
By M. S. Finch
BRO. SMITH: I cheerfully read the testimonies of the sisters that spoke against the sin and pride of dress that exists in these last days. I do not take my pen thinking to add anything to their testimonies, but to relate a little of my experience in times past. I witnessed the sacrifice and consecration made by the people of God in 1843-4, when the cry went forth, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him," and spread through the length and breadth of the land. It was then I gave my heart to God, and tried to consecrate all to him without reserve. We then laid aside our pride of dress, and useless articles of apparel. We had no relish for such ornaments. God blessed the sacrifice that we then made, and we rejoiced in the glorious hope of his207soon coming. And will he accept of any less sacrifice now than he did then? or any less consecration to God to prepare us for his coming? And shall we be any more conformed to the world now than we were then? May God forbid. What saith the Scriptures. "Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds," &c. God's people are a peculiar people, zealous of good works, unlike the world in their dress, actions, and conversation. God has chosen us out of the world; then let us be separate from it, for if we love the world the love of the Father is not in us. O you that feel for the purity of the church, and the holy cause which you profess, cease not to raise your voice against the sin and pride of dress. Let us seek for the inward adornings of the heart. Satan is well pleased when he sees God's professed people conforming to the world. If he can get us to yield to him in one point he may in another, and another, until we are led captive by him at his will. O let us flee from his deceptive snares, and lay aside every weight and the sin that doth easily beset us. O that we may fully awake and realize the important period that we occupy in this world's history. Are we not living in the time of the judgment, when our works and acts are passing in review before God? O solemn thought. Well might the Prophet exclaim, "Who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth." Dear sisters let us strive to follow the meek pattern, and so adorn ourselves that we may be able to present our bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. "The humble path my saviour walked,
I scorn it not to tread,
Though the frowns and scoffs my Saviour bore
Shall fall upon my head."
From your sister striving to obey the whole truth.
M. S. FINCH.
Almena, Mich., Nov 8th, 1858.