p. 45 | TO THE SISTERS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1860

TO THE SISTERS.

DEAR SISTERS : There is a short article on Deception in the Review of Oct. 27, 1859, which has not, I fear, been read by all with profit. I wish it could be reprinted, or that some would take the trouble to read it again. It is strange that any people professing the religion of Jesus should be vain in their dress, and more surprising still, that we, who have seen the sad effects of pride, should follow in the same path.

What is it sisters, that has caused the death of true and vital piety in the nominal churches? It is their pride. "O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up!" Prov. xxx, 12. They will not humble themselves and be obedient to the requirements of God. Pride is their ruin.

There is a class of people that have become disobedient to the requirements of our country, who are dressed in a sort of uniform. Why is it that other people disdain to dress like them? The reason is this : they would be looked upon as belonging to them, and counted as such. And should we not much more abhor the idea of being identified with the lovers of pride, by our dress?

It is the whole heart that God requires. It will do no good to be almost a Christian, and in the end be almost saved.

Pause a moment, as you stand before the mirror, dressed in your fashionable attire. Think you that you reflect the image of Christ? Do you think those fashionable persons with whom you are going to associate, will think any more of your religion, or honesty, for having two methods of dressing, a fashionable mode for fashionable society, and a plain one to appear in when in the presence of Sabbath-keepers?

Look again. Do all your ribbons, trimmings, embroideries, and the like, look as if the unconverted could think there was anything in the religion you profess, that purifies the heart? Do they look as if you were willing to be called anything, and suffer anything, if thereby you might glorify God? Do they look as if you were zealous to do all the good you could by example as well as precept? Do they look as if you daily

visit your closet, asking God to give you a willing heart to do his entire will, and to help you to overcome your pride, and make you a bold soldier for Prince Immanuel, no longer fearing the scoffings of the proud and vain?

I have heard of cowardly soldiers leaving their companies, and being overcome; and I would ask, What kind of soldiers are we, if we cannot stand now and then a little light drilling?

Sisters, we must have courage. We must be willing to obey God, or our profession will do us no good. We may deceive the church and ourselves perhaps, but we cannot deceive God. He knows the heart, and if the heart is right, our worse than useless trimmings would drop off themselves; that is, we would not have to be told to leave them off. It certainly must be wrong to waste so much time on our clothing; an it takes but little time to prepare a plain, modest suit.

We have the word of God, and that teaches us what is right in this matter. 1 Tim. ii, 9, 10. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array [take particular notice of that little word, not*; also that the apostle does not say we may wear these things, if do not take pride in them, but says we must not wear them, or what is equivalent to the same]; but which becometh women professing godliness with good works."

How does this compare with your decorated dress? It seems that the style of dress worn by women professing godliness should be a very plain one. A look in the mirror again. Does your dress look as if you were a woman professing godliness? Are those cauls or net-works for the hair necessary? See Isa. iii, 18. Do you think that your hoops add anything to your modesty?

Can you have much time for good works when you waste so much time in trying to dress like the lovers of pride? Sisters, your cases are dangerous. Will you go to the Physician and follow his directions, or will you go your own way and perish? Jesus is the Physician, he wants to help you. He wants to save you, but he cannot unless you are willing, and if you are willing you will comply with his requirements. You will love him with all your heart, and then your love of dress, of pride, will be gone, and you will not think the writer of this superstitious and fanatical; but like a drowning person, you will eagerly grasp everything that your anxious friends throw out to you, that you may be saved and God glorified. I entreat you, sisters, think of the sufferings of Jesus, when in the garden of Gethsemane, as he sweat as it were great drops of blood. Look at him on the cross, groaning, dying for us. Is any sacrifice we can make too great for such love as this? Then let us throw off the mantle of pride, and seek righteousness, and meekness, and then it may be we shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

D. A. E.