The Story of our Health Message

Adoniram Judson’s Appeal

And so it was also with most Seventh-day Adventists from the earliest days of their existence as a separate people. Although neatness and durability of dress were regarded as in harmony with the mind of God, unnecessary adornment was shunned as being sinful. From time to time articles appeared in the Review and Herald counseling simplicity in dress, though the consideration of the matter from the standpoint of health was for some years subordinated to the thought of the Scriptural injunctions against pride and display. In 1855 the editor of the Review and Herald inserted as a leading article the pronouncement of John Wesley on dress in his “Advice to the People Called Methodists” (July 10, 1855); and “Judson’s Letter on Dress” appeared in 1859. In this letter Adoniram Judson had appealed, from his mission in Burma, to the ladies of the home churches, because of the difficulties and embarrassments created when the Christian natives of Burma, having discarded their ornaments, would see similar decorations worn by the wives and daughters of those who came to his field as missionaries. SHM 120.4

On May 27, 1856, at a conference of believers in Battle Creek, Michigan, a very solemn message was given for the church through the Spirit of prophecy, deploring the “conformity of some professed Sabbathkeepers to the world.” It was pointed out that these “have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as possible, and yet go to heaven.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:131. SHM 121.1