Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

suit, to be worn when attending service in God's house.
While we should not conform to worldly fashions, we are not to be
indifferent in regard to our outward appearance. We are to be neat and trim,
though without adornment. The children of God should be pure within and
without.
Especially should the wives of our ministers be careful not to depart
from the plain teachings of the Bible on the point of dress. Many look upon
these injunctions as too old-fashioned to be worthy of notice; but He who
gave them to His disciples understood the dangers from the love of dress in
our time and sent to us the note of warning. Will we heed the warning and be
wise? Extravagance in dress is continually increasing. The end is not yet.
Fashion is constantly changing, and our sisters follow in its wake, regardless
of time or expense. There is a great amount of means expended upon dress,
when it should be returned to God the giver.
The Influence of the Mode of Dress
The love of dress endangers the morals and makes woman the opposite
of the Christian lady characterized by modesty and sobriety. Showy,
extravagant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer and
awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder. God sees that the ruin of
the character is frequently preceded by the indulgence of pride and vanity in
dress. He sees that the costly apparel stifles the desire to do good.
Simple, plain, unpretending dress will be a recommendation to my
youthful sisters. In no better way can you let your light shine to others than
in your simplicity of dress and deportment. You may show to all that, in
comparison with eternal things, you place a proper estimate upon the things
of this life.
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