Chapter 120—Influence of Dress

We do not discourage neatness in dress. Correct taste is not to

be despised nor condemned. Our faith, if carried out, will lead us
to be so plain in dress, and zealous of good works, that we shall be
marked as peculiar. But when we lose taste for order and neatness in
dress, we virtually leave the truth; for the truth never degrades, but
elevates. When believers are neglectful of their dress, and are coarse
and rough in their manners, their influence hurts the truth. “We are,”
said the inspired apostle, “made a spectacle unto the world, and to
angels, and to men.” All heaven is marking the daily influence that
the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world....
Simplicity of dress will make a sensible woman appear to the
best advantage. We judge of a person’s character by the style of
dress worn. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined
taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of a simple,
appropriate attire. The young women who break away from the
slavery of fashion will be ornaments to society. The one who is
simple and unpretending in her dress and in her manners shows
that she understands that a true woman is characterized by moral
worth. How charming, how interesting, is simplicity in dress, which
in comeliness can be compared with the flowers of the field.—The
Review and Herald, November 17, 1904. [354]

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 Chapter 121—Simplicity in Dress

“Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting

the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, but let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price.”
Human reasoning has ever sought to evade or set aside the simple,
direct instructions of the word of God. In every age, a majority of
the professed followers of Christ have disregarded those precepts
which enjoin self-denial and humility, which require modesty and
simplicity of conversation, deportment, and apparel. The result has
ever been the same,—departure from the teachings of the gospel
leads to the adoption of the fashions, customs, and principles of the
world. Vital godliness gives place to a dead formalism. The presence
and power of God, withdrawn from those world-loving circles, are
found with a class of humbler worshipers, who are willing to obey the
teachings of the Sacred Word. Through successive generations, this
course has been pursued. One after another, different denominations
have risen and, yielding their simplicity, have lost, in a great measure,
their early power.

A Snare to God’s People

As we see the love of fashion and display among those who
profess to believe present truth, we sadly ask, Will the people of
[355] God learn nothing from the history of the past? There are few who
understand their own hearts. The vain and trifling lovers of fashion
may claim to be followers of Christ; but their dress and conversation
show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. Their lives
betray their friendship for the world, and it claims them as its own.
How can one that has ever tasted the love of Christ be satisfied
with the frivolities of fashion? My heart is pained to see those who
profess to be followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, so eagerly

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seeking to conform to the world’s standard of dress. Notwithstanding

their profession of godliness, they can hardly be distinguished from
the unbeliever. They do not enjoy a religious life. Their time and
means are devoted to the one object of dressing for display.
Pride and extravagance in dress is a sin to which woman is
especially prone. Hence the injunction of the apostle relates directly
to her: “In like manner, also, that women adorn themselves in
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided
hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women
professing godliness) with good works.”

Reformation Needed
We see steadily gaining ground in the church an evil which the
word of God condemns. What is the duty of those in authority in
regard to this matter? Will the influence of the church be what it
should be, while many of its members obey the dictates of fashion,
rather than the clearly expressed will of God? How can we expect [356]
the presence and aid of the Holy Spirit while we suffer these things
to exist among us? Can we remain silent while the teachings of
Christ are set aside by His professed followers? These things bring
grief and perplexity to those who have the oversight of the church of
God. Will not my Christian sisters themselves reflect candidly and
prayerfully upon this subject? Will they not seek to be guided by
the word of God? The extra time spent in the making up of apparel
according to the fashions of the world should be devoted to close
searching of heart and the study of the Scriptures. The hours that
are worse than wasted in preparing unnecessary adornings, might
be made more valuable than gold if spent in seeking to acquire right
principles and solid attainments. My heart aches as I see young ladies
professing to be followers of Christ who are practically ignorant of
His character and His will. These youth have been satisfied to feed
on husks. The glittering tinsel of the world appears more valuable
to them than the eternal riches. The mental powers, that might be
developed by thought and study, are suffered to lie dormant, and
the affections are undisciplined, because the outward apparel is
considered of more consequence than spiritual loveliness or mental
vigor.
 322 Messages to Young People

The Inward Adorning

Will the followers of Christ seek to obtain the inward adorning,
the meek and quiet spirit which God pronounces of great price,
or will they squander the few short hours of probation in needless
[357] labor for display? The Lord would have woman seek constantly
to improve both in mind and heart, gaining intellectual and moral
strength that she may lead a useful and happy life,—a blessing to
the world and an honor to her Creator.
I would ask the youth of today who profess to believe present
truth, wherein they deny self for the truth’s sake. When they really
desire an article of dress, or some ornament or convenience, do
they lay the matter before the Lord in prayer to know if His Spirit
would sanction this expenditure of means? In the preparation of their
clothing, are they careful not to dishonor their profession of faith?
Can they seek the Lord’s blessing upon the time thus employed? It
is one thing to join the church, and quite another thing to be united
to Christ. Unconsecrated, world-loving professors of religion are
one of the most serious causes of weakness in the church of Christ.
In this age of the world there is an unprecedented rage for plea-
sure. Dissipation and reckless extravagance everywhere prevail. The
multitudes are eager for amusement. The mind becomes trifling and
frivolous, because it is not accustomed to meditation, or disciplined
to study. Ignorant sentimentalism is current. God requires that every
soul shall be cultivated, refined, elevated, and ennobled. But too
often every valuable attainment is neglected for fashionable display
and superficial pleasure. Women permit their souls to be starved and
dwarfed by fashion, and thus they become a curse to society, rather
[358] than a blessing.—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1881.
 Chapter 122—Idolatry of Dress

The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. It must not be taken

over into the new life. In most cases, submission to the gospel
requirements will demand a decided change in the dress.
There should be no carelessness in dress. For Christ’s sake,
whose witnesses we are, we should seek to make the best of our
appearance. In the tabernacle service, God specified every detail
concerning the garments of those who ministered before Him. Thus
we are taught that He has a preference in regard to the dress of
those who serve Him. Very specific were the directions given in
regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolic. So the dress
of Christ’s followers should be symbolic. In all things we are to be
representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect should be
characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the word of God
gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel merely for the
sake of fashion,—that we may appear like the world. Christians are
not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive ornaments.
The words of Scripture in regard to dress should be carefully
considered. We need to understand that which the Lord of heaven
appreciates in even the dressing of the body. All who are in earnest
in seeking for the grace of Christ will heed the precious words of
instruction inspired by God. Even the style of the apparel will
express the truth of the gospel.—Testimonies for the Church 6:96. [359]

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 Chapter 123—True Adornment

Demoralizing extravagance prevails everywhere, and souls are

going to ruin because of their love of dress and display. The life
of nine tenths of those who are devotees of fashion is a living lie.
Deception, fraud, is their daily practice; for they wish to appear that
which they are not.
Nobility of soul, gentleness, generosity, are bartered away to
gratify the lust after evil things. Thousands sell their virtue that
they may have means for following the fashions of the world. Such
madness concerning the changing fashions of the world should call
forth an army of reformers who would take their position for simple
and plain attire. Satan is ever inventing fashions that cannot be
followed except through the sacrifice of money, time, and health.

Following the World

Having before us the picture of the world’s demoralization upon
the point of fashion, how dare professed Christians follow in the path
of the worldling? Shall we appear to sanction these demoralizing
fashions by adopting them? Many do adopt the fashions of the world,
but it is because Christ is not formed within them, the hope of glory.
Luxurious living, extravagant dressing, is carried to such an extent
as to constitute one of the signs of the last days.
[360] Pride and vanity are manifested everywhere; but those who are
inclined to look into the mirror to admire themselves, have little
inclination to look into the law of God, the great moral mirror. This
idolatry of dress destroys all that is humble, meek, and lovely in the
character. It consumes the precious hours that should be devoted to
meditation, to searching the heart, to the prayerful study of God’s
word. In the word of God, Inspiration has recorded lessons especially
for our instruction....
Devotion to dress takes from the means intrusted for works of
mercy and benevolence, and this extravagant outlay is robbery to-

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ward God. Our means have not been given to us for the gratification
of pride and love of display. We are to be wise stewards, and clothe
the naked, feed the hungry, and give our means to advance the cause
of God. If we want adornment, the graces of meekness, humility,
modesty, and prudence are suited to every person, in every rank and
condition of life.
Shall we not take our stand as faithful sentinels, and by precept
and example frown down indulgence in the dissipation and extrav-
agance of this degenerate age? Shall we not set a right example to
our youth, and whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, do all
to the glory of God?—The Review and Herald, December 12, 1912. [361]
326 Messages to Young People
 Section 13—Recreation and Amusement

[362]
There is a distinction between recreation and amusement.
Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen
and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and
occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body, and thus
enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life.
Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure,
and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are
required for useful work, and thus proves a hindrance to life’s true
success.—Education, 207.