Is not life more than … rainment

Since the General Conference came out with their recommendation on the dress question (as published in the May/June 1999 Sabbath Watchman) I have had several discussions on the issue with different people and have found differing thoughts and ideas on the issue. Why make such a strong statement? Why make such an issue out of the dress question? Is it really necessary? After all Sister White wrote, “There is no need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There is something richer to speak of. Talk of Christ, and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the Word of God will drop off. It is only labor in vain to pick leaves off a living tree. The leaves will reappear. The ax must be laid at the root of the tree, and then the leaves will fall off, never to return.” Evangelism, p. 272. So why are we making it such a big issue? Or are we?

In the December 1999 Messenger I wrote a few paragraphs regarding the dress question in conjunction with the decision of the General Conference. What I regret failing to mention was the context of this statement. In context it reads: “We should first work for the people’s conversion and also do more missionary work within the families by visiting homes and writing articles about the subject of dress reform. .” Then followed the statement I quoted in the December issue. For those who have not read it, I quote again, “It was clarified that the baptism of women who do not understand their obligation to abstain from wearing pants should be postponed until a better understanding is achieved.” Since that time I have done some thinking and studying over the issue and I wanted to address the subject in a little more detail. Why do we keep repeating some issues over and over again? Could it be because God’s people have turned a deaf ear to some of these issues and therefore they need to be re-addressed?

First of all we must mention that dress reform is not an issue for women only, it is also an issue for men. Worldly men today dress immodestly at times and God’s people cannot follow their example. The biggest disagreement I have seen though is on women’s use of pants. Is it acceptable attire for the Christian woman or is it not?

Perhaps I could begin by speaking of my own experience on the issue. I grew up wearing dresses and pants in my early years. By fourth grade I had decided that I preferred to wear pants most of the time. It was not really much of an issue in my household. I wanted to dress as everyone else at school. It was not until I was in my final year of’high school that I made a change. It was a change that I made – not because I felt that it was my religious duty to wear pants, I had other reasons. I grew up in an age where everyone liked to wear his or her pants tight. (Today we see the opposite extreme – young people sometimes like to wear their pants so loose they are almost falling off). Well the summer before my final year I had put on some weight and my pants simply did not fit anymore. I was perplexed. What should I do? Should I go and purchase a whole new wardrobe of pants? I went out one day to the shops, but it was such a hassle that I decided to forget it. I had a closet full of dresses that I wore to church every Sabbath; why not start to wear them to school? I did just that and I found a remarkable difference. The teachers and students showed me more respect automatically. The teachers treated me on an equal level instead of placing me on a lower level. I could sense the fact that the teachers spoke to me on a more mature level than many of the other students and also there was a difference in comparison to their attitude towards me in previous years. I rather appreciated the respect. I went through that final year and occasionally would take note of how many other girls were wearing dresses. Some days I did not see one single girl. Did I feel like I was out of place? Not once! This was a decision that I had made on my own – not one that was forced upon me against my will. I could see now that this was God’s appointed way. I just wish I had made this decision earlier in my life. We are to look and act differently than the world in a respectful manner.

I have often written about my experience in my work place over ten years ago. I worked in the office of a warehouse and was the only one wearing a dress. Everyone else dressed in his or her usual worldly manner. Automatically, the boss seemed to show me more respect and one day when we were alone in the office (it was lunchtime and the others had gone to lunch) he simply asked me how he could find happiness. He was wealthy but not happy. Why would he ask me? Was I different from the others in any way? I had hardly ever spoken to him and I had not been there as long as most of the others. In fact I had not spoken to him about my faith at all – all he was going by was what he saw and he saw a difference, which prompted the question. As I have said in the past, I gave him a copy of Steps to Christ before leaving. These are some of the experiences that I have come through in my belief that the wearing of pants on a regular basis is not appropriate attire for a woman who professes to be a follower of Christ. Although this may have been my experience, I do not encourage mothers of today to allow their children to make their own decisions on dress when they are young. It is not safe and your children may not choose to go the way 1 went Too often I have seen young people go the other way. I have often thought of those years prior to my final year of high school and thought regretfully of the wrong influence I exerted. I cannot change the past, but hopefully I can encourage others not to follow my footsteps.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that will judge people from their outward appearance. There are times I have been out shopping and noticed the dress of other people. I notice them especially if they are dressed nicely. If they are not, I pretty well don’t notice them at all. Is this wrong on my part? Yes, it is wrong to judge a person by the clothing he or she wears, but humanly speaking that is what people do. Therefore what should we do about it? We must dress to be that person who is “different” (without dressing as a scarecrow) so that people will take note and perhaps be drawn to Christ through our example. “The dress and its arrangement upon the person is generally found to be the index of the man or the woman. 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 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.” CG, p. 413.

How do we as parents get our children to follow the right principles of dress reform? This is a problem that faces many mothers. I have heard of many mothers who have become exasperated in trying to have their daughters wear dresses to school. The converse is also true, I have heard of many girls who have grumbled at the fact that they were “forced” to wear dresses when they really didn’t want to. “Your daughters are inclined, if they see a dress different from that which they have, to desire a dress similar to that. Or perhaps they want something else that they see others have, which you do not feel would be in accordance with your faith to grant them. Will you allow them to tease this thing out of you, letting them mold you instead of molding them according to the principles of the gospel? Our children are very precious in the sight of God. Let us teach them the Word of God and train them in His ways. It is your privilege to teach your children to live so that they will have the commendation of Heaven. . . Let us not encourage our children to follow the fashions of the world; and if we will be faithful in giving them a right training, they will not do this. . The fashions of the world often take a ridiculous form, and you must take a firm position against them.” CG, p. 435. You are the one who purchases their clothing when they are young -you can decide what to purchase.

So, yes it is the parent that should decide on the proper dress of the children, but if we are constantly sending our children to the public schools (where Sister White counseled it was not the proper place for our children in her days – Is it better today? – that is another study that I feel very strongly about also) then what can we expect? We send them to the world to be educated and soon enough the world will not only educate them scholastically but the world will train them in the practical affairs of life also. Often the peer pressure is too great for them. Not only will they want to follow the way of the world in dress – so as to be the same as everyone else, but also many young people have lost their way spiritually in these institutions. There will be a constant struggle in the child’s mind as to who they should follow: 1) the parents guidelines, or 2) what they are learning in school. It would do us well to follow the guidelines set out by the Spirit of Prophecy for the education of our children and we will have much more success in the training of our youth for the Lord.

However, moving back to the dress issue, it is not only a difficulty for young people but many older ones also. Does God love the woman wearing a dress more than the one wearing pants? Not really – God loves everyone equally. When you are at home alone, it matters not what you are dressed like. When you get up in the morning, you don’t have to put a dress on before coming to the Lord in prayer and study. He hears and answers your prayers however you are dressed. Then where does the dress question come in? It becomes important when we go out into society where we are a witness to the world. It would be well for us to dress modestly as often as possible at home though since we must be ready for any unexpected visitors without having to worry about running to our closet when the door bell rings. People will be saved or lost according to our influence whether we like it or not.

If you became an employee of a certain firm and they had a uniform that you were expected to wear, you would wear it without question even if you didn’t like the colour or style. If you went away from your job site temporarily and people saw you, they would know automatically where you worked because often the name of the company is on the uniform. Does Jesus have a uniform for us? Yes, it is called Dress Reform. When we go out in public, people will see us and hopefully, see Christ in us.

“If we are Christians, we shall follow Christ, even though the path in which we are to walk cuts right across our natural inclinations. There is no use in telling you that you must not wear this or that, for if the love of these vain things is in your heart your laying off your adornments will only be like cutting the foliage off a tree. The inclinations of the natural heart would again assert themselves. You must have a conscience of your own.” CG, p. 429,430. “The outside appearance is an index to the heart.” IT, p. 436.

“There are many who try to correct the life of others by attacking what they consider the wrong habits. They go to those whom they think are in error, and point out their defects. They say, ‘You don’t dress as you should.’ They try to pick off the ornaments, or whatever seems offensive, but they do not seek to fasten the mind to the truth. Those who seek to correct others should present the attractions of Jesus. They should talk of His love and compassion, present His example and sacrifice, reveal His Spirit, and they need not touch the subject of dress at all.

“In order to teach men and women the worthlessness of earthly things, you must lead them to the living Fountain, and get them to drink of Christ, until their hearts are filled with the love of God, and Christ is in them, a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Evangelism, p. 272.

“Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure. If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right.” IT, p. 158.

And yes, there are a few times when it is not modest for a woman to wear a dress. In such activities as snow skiing or horseback riding it is difficult. If you are working around the house and climbing ladders it would not be good – or working in such a place that the dress is a hindrance and can cause personal injury. We have to dress wisely and modestly. Most times though it is not appropriate for a Christian woman to wear pants – such as in church, at Bible Studies, or even when we are out casually shopping or visiting with friends. Our influence will tell a great deal in these circumstances. If we look and act like the world or even like nominal Christians, what would draw others to Christ in us? Nothing! If we dress appropriately and have Christ in our hearts then our light will shine. “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 to eternal things, you place a proper estimate upon the things of this life.” T3, p. 376.

We do not want to discourage new souls coming to the truth though. The dress question is a difficult question for many people and we don’t want them to think that God is not with them because they haven’t adopted the dress reform yet. How will we win them to God’s ideal? Not by force or censure. The best way is by our example. If the women in our churches wear the proper dress in every circumstance, the new souls will see how it is possible and even becoming for a woman to dress modestly and simply, being separate from the worldly fashion. When they fully surrender their hearts to the Lord, this issue will be a joy to follow, because they love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul. It is our duty then to show patience towards them, realizing that it might be a little costly to purchase a new wardrobe if they have not been dressing for the honour and glory of the Lord for many years. It would behoove us to help them, not only spiritually, but also practically in any way that we can in helping them to obtain the necessary clothing in order to live up to the standard of the Lord.

Those in the church who refuse to follow these guidelines set out by the General Conference are not to be pushed down and rebuked, but they should be counseled in regard to the fact that they may not only lose their own souls, but the influence they are exerting on others could be very harmful. I have often seen in other church organizations women attending Bible studies or prayer meetings in pants and it did not seem appropriate. It is my desire that we would not follow the customs of the world, but show that we are different – God’s peculiar people.

Especially is it required of the wives of the ministers and missionary workers to be leaders in their example. “I saw that the wives of the ministers should help their husbands in their labors and be exact and careful what influence they exert, for they are watched, and more is expected of them than of others. Their dress should be an example. Their lives and conversation should be an example, savoring of life rather than of death. I saw that they should take a humble, meek, yet exalted stand, not having their conversation upon things that do not tend to direct the mind heavenward. The great inquiry should be: ‘How can I save my own soul, and be the means of saving others?’ I saw that no half-hearted work in this matter is accepted of God. He wants the whole heart and interest, or He will have none. Their influence tells, decidedly, unmistakably, in favor of truth or against it. They gather with Jesus, or scatter abroad.” IT, p. 139.

So does that mean our dress will win the favour of God? Not if our hearts are far from Him. We must be very careful to avoid the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees. They were hypocrites. They looked good on the outside but were full of “dead men’s bones.” Without Christ our outward show of Christianity will have no effect on others.

The Lord wants all of us, but we have to start with the heart. As we direct people to Christ their hearts will be melted with love for their Master and no duty that He requires will be too difficult to take up.

“There is a dress which every child and youth may innocently seek to obtain. It is the righteousness of the saints. If they will only be as willing and persevering in obtaining this as they are in fashioning their garments after the standard of worldly society, they will very soon be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and their names will not be blotted out of the book of life. Mothers, as well as youth and children, need to pray, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.’ [Psalm 51:10.] This purity of heart and loveliness of spirit are more precious than gold, both for time and for eternity. Only the pure in heart shall see God.

“Then, mothers, teach your children, line up on line and precept upon precept, that the righteousness of Christ is the only dress in which they can be admitted into heaven, and that robed in this apparel they will be constantly doing duties in this life which will glorify God.” CG, p. 417, 418.

So when we look deeply at the decision that was made at the General Conference session last April, we are not to look at it as some arbitrary, dictatorial rale. No, in fact if we study the issue (as I am sure they did before making the decision) we can see that this is God’s appointed way. We are to teach and encourage others to follow in this way, not because the church made a rule, but because it is the way the Lord wants us to be as His representatives. We are His ambassadors to the world. When we become Christians does not Christ have a right to inform us as to what He prefers us to dress like? I believe that if we have the Spirit of Christ in us, we will follow this way and we will have enough love in our hearts that we can counsel others in the right line. As long as we present Christ in the law, the law will be magnified in the hearts of those who seek to follow Him.

“Talk of the love and humility of Jesus, but do not encourage the brethren and sisters to engage in picking flaws in the dress or appearance of one another. Some take delight in this work; and when their minds are turned in this direction, they begin to feel that they must become church tinkers. They climb upon the judgment seat, and as soon as they see one of their brethren and sisters, they look to find something to criticize. This is one of the most effectual means of becoming narrow-minded and of dwarfing spiritual growth. God would have them step down from the judgement seat, for He has never placed them there.” CG, p. 429.

“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 humble worshippers, 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.” MYP, p. 354.

“All matters of dress should be strictly guarded, following closely the Bible rule. Fashion has been the goddess who has ruled the outside world, and she often insinuates herself into the church. The church should make the Word of God her standard, and parents should think intelligently upon this subject. When they see their children inclined to follow worldly fashions, they should, like Abraham, resolutely command their households after them. Instead of uniting with the world, connect them with God.” T5, p. 499.

So let us not make the dress question our entire religion, but let us put it in right perspective and let the Lord lead us to a higher standard than we have perhaps followed in the past. In the General Conference decision there was a lifting of the standard for which we can rejoice. This decision straightforwardly encourages church leaders and all of those who bear responsibilities in the work to ensure that the standard is uplifted in theory and in practice in the love of Christ. The youth today have a saying, “What would Jesus do?” In this article I have striven to follow that worthy example, and may we all seek to do the same. Remember that we cannot force people to follow the right principles. We can only present the truth and try to lead them to Christ by our words and example, leaving the conviction to the Holy Spirit.
AMEN