Dress Reform

Dress reform is the system, instituted by the Spirit of God, whereby God’s people could be dressed sensibly and modestly, avoiding the extremes of fashion. From the beginning, dress reform was a part of Health Reform. “To protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress reform was introduced among us. It was not intended to be a yoke of bondage, but a blessing; not to increase labour, but to save labour; not to add to the expense of dress, but to save expense. It would distinguish God’s people from the world, and thus serve as a barrier against its fashions and follies. He who know the end from the beginning, who understands our nature and our needs, –our compassionate Redeemer, –saw our dangers and difficulties, and condescended to give us timely warning and instruction concerning our habits of life, even in the proper selection of food and clothing.” 4 T 634

“In humility and inexpressible sadness Adam and Eve left the lovely garden wherein they had been so happy until they disobeyed the command of God. The atmosphere was changed. It was no longer unvarying as before the transgression. God clothed them with coats of skins to protect them from the sense of chilliness and then of heat to which they were exposed.” SR 46.1

“True dress reform regulates every article of dress worn upon the person. In order to equalize the circulation of the blood, the clothing should be equally distributed upon the person, that equal warmth may be preserved in all parts of the body. The limbs, being remote from the vital organs, should have special attention…

“Our Creator has formed the limbs with large veins and vessels to contain a large proportion of blood, that the limbs may be sufficiently nourished and proportionately warm with other portions of the body.

“But fashion robs the limbs of coverings, and the life current is chilled from its natural channel and thrown back upon its internal organs… The result is, the blood-vessels in the limbs contract because they are not filled and cannot contain the due proportion of blood which nature designed they should, and they are always chilly. Because this chilliness is habitual, it is not noticed by children who are thus unhealthfully dressed.” Health Reformer 01-01-77

A Personal Testimony

Knowing that in Sr. White’s day there was no such thing as synthetic fibers, and that natural fibers are much more healthy for us, I started wearing only cotton next to my skin over ten years ago and I noticed that I felt much cooler and healthier, especially in the hot summer’s heat. And then about 4-5 years ago, as I started to study more deeply into the subject, I noticed that Sr. White talked about always covering the limbs in the heat and cold. So I started in the hot weather as well
as the cold to keep my limbs covered, and again, I have felt a definite improvement in my health–increased comfort and immunity against disease.

In visiting the tropics in this region, I have noticed that most people cover up their skin against the intense sun, which only makes sense, especially as the sun has increasing danger associated with exposure to it.

What other benefits does Dress Reform provide?

One of the aspects of dress reform is moral health, manifested by showing modesty when in the presence of the opposite sex, especially. Today, true modesty is almost nonexistent for sensual malaria is the norm, rather than the exception in society. And this also affects our attitudes, deportment and behaviour toward the opposite sex in the church – have you noticed?

“It is a subject of interest to every soul of us, how we shall keep our vessels unto honor in the sight of a holy God… There is no safety for us when we lie down, when we rise up, when we go out, and when we come in. Satan and evil angels have conspired with evil men and evil women, and the whole energies of the powers of darkness will gather themselves together to lead astray and destroy every soul that is not garrisoned with firm principles of eternal truths…

“The principles of righteousness must be implanted in the soul. Faith must grasp the power of Jesus Christ, else there is no safety. Licentious practices are getting to be as common as the days before the Flood… The weak moral powers of men and women in this age who claim to be commandment keepers alarm me. Everyone needs to arouse and lift up the standard of purity.

“Sanctification – how many understand its full meaning? The mind is befogged by sensual malaria. The thoughts need purifying. What might not men and women have been had they realized that the treatment of the body has everything to do with the vigor and purity of mind and heart!… .Men and women have been bought with a price, and what a price! Even the life of the Son of God. What a terrible thing it is for them to place themselves in a position where their physical, mental, and moral powers are corrupted, where they lose their vigor and purity. Such men and women cannot offer an acceptable sacrifice to God.” In Heavenly Places, pgs. 193-194.

“It is not a time when marriage should be regarded in the light of felicity. It is uncertain business. More misery than happiness is the result; and yet marrying and giving in marriage is as it was in the days of Noah. There seems to be no restraint; but passion and impulse have controlling power, and youth seem to be bewitched with love-sick sentimentalism. For this reason rules and regulationsare highly essential…. and anyone who regards these restrictions as unnecessary has not spiritual discernment, and will prove a hindrance rather than a help.

“Many seem to think these precautions are not essential, and their deportment pleads for greater liberty than the law of God allows them. It is an imperative duty to preserve the soul from impure thoughts and unholy actions…

Sensuality is the sin of the age. But the religion of Jesus Christ will hold the lines of control over every species of unlawful liberty; the moral powers will hold the lines of control over every thought, word and action. Guile will not be found in the lips of the true Christian. Not an impure thought will be indulged in, not a word spoken that is approaching to sensuality, not an action that has the least appearance of evil.” 18 MR 294

The Importance of Dress Reform

Aren’t we reformers reformed enough? I mean, won’t we lose our youth if we place too many restrictions upon them? Well, I don’t know about you when you were a youth, but when I was a youth and coming to the truth from the world, I was very glad for Christian standards and the things that made us different from the world, because I was tired of the things and ways of the world. And the Christian young people I speak to today, that are sincerely seeking for the ways of the Lord, don’t look for how little they can do in upholding Christian standards, but rather seek to come just as close as they can to “every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.”

“Many who call themselves Christians are mere human moralists. They have refused the gift which alone could enable them to honor Christ by representing Him to the world. The work of the Holy Spirit is to them a strange work. They are not doers of the word. The heavenly principles that distinguish those who are one with Christ from those who are one with the world have become almost indistinguishable.The professed followers of Christ are no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, its selfishness. The church has gone over to the world in transgression of the law, when the world should have come over to the church in obedience to the law. Daily the church is being converted to the world.” COL 315.3

An older brother in the truth tells of being sent to pick up our people from train stations at conference time years ago, and how he never needed a description of the people, because our brothers and sisters in those days dressed so different from the world, that they could easily be spotted. Would that be true of our mode of dressing today?

“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.” 1 Tim. 2:9, 10.

“The children of Israel . . . were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God’s peculiar people. {See Num. 15:39, 40.} The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel for examples. If God gave such definite directions to His ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of His people in this age come under His notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of His people. Pride is rebuked in His Word.” OHC 271.2

Development of the Reform Dress

Controversy over dress is nothing new as it was going on even in the First Century, apparently, as the Apostles wrote in their epistles to the churches about properclothing, especially for women. It is no different for God’s people today. Could this be one of the simple means that God will use to cause a shaking amongst us?

In Sr. White’s day, after she had first ?introduced the Dress Reform in the 1860s and it was not well received, then the world did adopt a much more modest and healthful mode of dress than the hoop fashion, so she didn’t push anything more about dress reform until later in the 1870s.

“We are nearing the close of this world’s history. A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the Word of God, in regard to the plainness of dress. This should be our burden. But it is too late now to become enthusiastic in making a test of this matter. The desire to follow Christ in all humility of mind, preparing the heart, purifying the character, is by no means an easy work. Our sisters may be assured that the Lord has not inspired them to make a test of that which was once given as a blessing, but which by many was hated and despised as a curse.

“The reform dress, which was once advocated, [THE “REFORM DRESS” ADVOCATED AND ADOPTED IN THE
1860’S WAS DESIGNED BY A GROUP OF SDA WOMEN IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE A HEALTHFUL, MODEST, COMFORTABLE, AND NEAT ATTIRE IN HARMONY WITH THE LIGHT GIVEN ELLEN WHITE, WHICH WAS MUCH NEEDED AT THE TIME. IT CALLED FOR LOOSE-FITTING GARMENTS HUNG FROM THE SHOULDERS WITH A HEMLINE ABOUT NINE INCHES FROM THE FLOOR. THE LOWER LIMBS WERE CLOTHED WITH A TROUSERLIKE GARMENT PROVIDING COMFORT AND WARMTH. SEE STORY OF OUR HEALTH MESSAGE, PP. 112-130.–COMPILERS.] proved a battle at every step. Members of the church, refusing to adopt this healthful style of dress, caused dissension and discord… But a more sensible style of dress has now been adopted which does not embrace these objectionable features. The fashionable style of dress may be discarded and should be by all who will read the Word of God.” 3 SM 253

Today, obviously the world is in much worse condition than it was then, and we much more need this standard to be uplifted as a people professing godliness.

“Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be ?saved: For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. 9:27,28

Because we know that God will cut His work short in righteousness and no,righteousness does not work from the outside in, but the inside out. When we accept the cross of Calvary in our hearts though, the changes will be seen in our attitude, behaviour and yes, the way we dress. The way we dress is an index to the heart.

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or 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.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

“Lovers of fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. The outside appearance is an index to the heart. True refinement does not find satisfaction in the adorning of the body for display. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. Simplicity of apparel always makes a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. A refined, cultured mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. In the sanctified heart there is no place for thoughts of needless adornment.” OHC 273.2

“Question.–Does not the practice of the sisters in wearing their dresses nine inches from the floor contradict Testimony No. 11, which says they should reach somewhat below the top of a lady’s gaiter boot?

“Answer.–The proper distance from the bottom of the dress to the floor was not given to me in inches… But three companies of females passed before me, with their dresses as follows with respect to length: ‘The first were of fashionable length, burdening the limbs, impeding the step, and sweeping the street and gathering its filth; the evil results of which I have fully stated. This class, who were slaves to fashion, appeared feeble and languid.

“The dress of the second class which passed before me was in many respects as it should be. The limbs were well clad. They were free from the burdens which the tyrant, Fashion, had imposed upon the first class; but had gone to that extreme in the short dress as to disgust and prejudice good people, and destroy in a great measure their own influence. This is the style and influence of the ‘American Costume,’taught and worn by many at ‘Our Home,’ Dansville, N.Y. It does not reach to the knee. I need not say that this style of dress was shown me to be too short.

“A third class passed before me with cheerful countenances, and free, elastic step. Their dress was the length I have described as proper, modest, and healthful. It cleared the filth of the street and sidewalk a few inches under all circumstances, such as ascending and descending steps, et cetera.

“As I have before stated, the length was not given me in inches…” 3SM 278

Not Compulsion, But Individual Conviction

“It was not my duty to urge the subject upon my sisters. After presenting it before them as it had been shown me, I left them to their own conscience. Reformatory action is always attended with sacrifice. It demands that love of ease, selfish interest, and the lust of ambition be held in subjection to the principles of right. Whoever has the courage to reform must encounterobstacles. He will be opposed by the conservatism of those whose business or pleasure brings them in contact with the votaries of fashion, and who will lose caste by the change…

“Much unhappy feeling was created by those who were constantly urging the reform dress upon their sisters. With extremists, this reform seemed to constitute the sum and substance of their religion. It was the theme of conversation and the burden of their hearts; and their minds were thus diverted from God and the truth. They failed to cherish the spirit of Christ and manifested a great lack of true courtesy. Instead of prizing the dress for its real advantages, they seemed to be proud of its singularity. Perhaps no question has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the dress reform…

“God has been testing His people. He ?allowed the testimony concerning dress to become silent, that our sisters might follow their own inclination and thus develop the real pride existing in their hearts. It was to prevent the present state of worldliness that the reform dress was recommended. Many scorned the idea that this dress was necessary to preserve them from following the fashions; but the Lord has permitted them to prove that pride was cherished in their hearts, and that this was just what they would do. It is now shown that they needed the restriction which the reform dress imposed.” 4T 636-639

“We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.” 1SM 122.3

God will have a people willing to live by every word that proceeds from His mouth even to the way we dress. Sensual malaria has taken over the world and we must make a decided stand against it. Reform is progressive and the time has come for a thorough reformation to take place.

God wants us to dress in accordance with His will, especially as this is meant for our health mentally, physically and morally Not to make a test out of it, or urge it upon others, but to show from our attitudes, words and actions the blessing involved with true dress reform.
AMEN.

Jerry Eaton, Australia