p. 83 | Hoops and Pilgrims by M. J. Bartholf

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 9, 1864

Hoops and Pilgrims.

By M. J. Bartholf

Pilgrims do not wear hoops, our enemies being judges. A short time since I heard a hoop advocate describing how beautifully a pilgrim song was sung and acted out at a festival, at their church. In describing the actors, she said that the young ladies appeared on the stage without their hoops. I said to her, Why did they take off their hoops? Why, said she, apparently much surprised at such a question, Pilgrims don't wear hoops! Her looks appeared to say that every body ought to know that. Oh, how much I wish that some of our sisters would obtain this knowledge that she seemed to think was so self-evident. When I see those that profess to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus wearing hoops, it seems to me that they are in want of knowledge. When I see those that have laid them off by a professed knowledge that pilgrims do not wear hoops, and then put on quilts enough to imitate hoops, especially in warm weather, I cannot help thinking how much they yet want for knowledge. When I see sisters that have attained to the knowledge that they are an abomination in the sight of God, and have laid them off, still indulging their daughters who are under their control, methinks that they still are in want of knowledge. You may say, How can we obtain that knowledge? We want to get that faith which works by love and purifies the heart, and get that freedom which the Lord offers to give; for whom he makes free shall be free, indeed; and then we can break loose from the bondage of the world.

M. J. BARTHOLF.