Counsels on Health - Ellen G. White

decency. Because hoops were introduced I did not
lay off my corded skirt for them. Shall I now throw
it aside because the fashion of hoops is introduced?
No; that would be carrying the matter to an
extreme.
I should ever bear in mind that I must be an
example and therefore must not run into this or that
fashion, but pursue an even and independent course
and not be driven to extremes in regard to dress. To
throw off my corded skirt that was always modest
and comfortable, and put on a thin cotton skirt, and
thus appear ridiculous in the other extreme, would
be wrong, for then I would not set a right example,
but would put an argument into the mouths of hoop
wearers. To justify themselves for wearing hoops
they would point to me as one who does not wear
them, and say that they would not disgrace
themselves in that way. By going to such extremes
we would destroy all the influence which we might
otherwise have had, and lead the wearers of hoops
to justify their course. We must dress modestly,
without the least regard to the hoop fashion.
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