hese passages of
Scripture. But, if the Bible had been entirely silent on the subject, I
cannot see how Christians could reconcile so much needless expense upon
their persons with the spirit of benevolence which the gospel breathes,
when so many millions of precious souls are perishing without any
knowledge of the only way of salvation, or while so many around them are
suffering from penury and want. This is certainly contrary to the spirit
of Christ. He who, for our sakes, became poor; who led a life of
self-denial, toil, and suffering, that he might relieve distress, and
make known the way of salvation,--could never have needlessly expended
upon his person what would have sent the gospel to the destitute, or
supplied the wants of poverty. Extravagance in dress is, therefore,
obviously inconsistent with the Christian character. But, no precise
rule can be laid down in relation to this matter. It must be left to the
sober judgment of Christians, and a sanctified conscience will readily
discern the bounds of propriety. By asking yourselves two or three
questions, whenever you think of purchasing a new article of dress, you
may very easily decide upon the path of duty. "Do I need this? Is it
necessary for my comfort, or for my decent appearance in society? Can I
glorify God in wearing it?"

2. _Your time is the Lord's._ You have no right to waste it in useless
attention to dress. One of the greatest evils of the present extravagant
modes of dress is, that so much precious time is consumed at the toilet.
I have already shown the value and importance of time, and the
obligations of Christians to spend it in the most profitable manner. I
need not here advance any new arguments to show that, if you spend any
more time than is necessary in the adjustment of your apparel, you sin
against God.

3. _It is the duty to pay some regard to personal appearance._ A
Christian lady, by making herself a _slattern_, brings reproach upon the
cause of Christ, instead of glorifying God. The apostle enjoins upon
women to adorn themselves with _modest_ apparel. Modesty signifies
_purity of sentiment and manners._ When this idea is applied to dress,
it immediately suggests to the mind a neatness, taste, and simplicity of
dress, alike opposed both to extravagance and finery, and to negligence
and vulgar coarseness. The exercise of a refined taste, in the
adaptation and adjustment of apparel, may also be justified by the
analogy of nature. Look