The Story of our Health Message

Mrs. White’s Remarks on Dress

Concerning the view given her at that time, Mrs. White wrote: SHM 121.2

“I saw that some professed Sabbathkeepers spend hours that are worse than thrown away, in studying this or that fashion, to decorate the poor, mortal body. While you make yourselves appear like the world, and as beautiful as you can, remember that the same body may in a few days be food for worms. And while you adorn it to your taste, to please the eye, you are dying spiritually. ... I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. When the exterior is hung with ribbons, collars, and needless things, it plainly shows that the love for all this is in the heart; unless such persons are cleansed from their corruption, they can never see God; for only the pure in heart will see Him.”—Ibid., 134, 136. SHM 121.3

Thus for a time were set forth general principles that should govern the Christian who seeks to follow the in-injunction of the apostle against the “love of the world.” The first word of opposition found in our denominational literature against a specific style of dress is in the Review and Herald of August 5, 1858, where Elder J. Byington makes the following innuendo in the form of a question and a conclusion: SHM 122.1

“Are sleeves which are largest at the little end, and round tires like the moon, or hoops (Isaiah 3:18), articles of dress that are modest apparel? 1 Timothy 2:9. If so, let them be recommended to the church generally.” SHM 122.2

Only four ladies, apparently, ventured to respond to the question, with its implication. All these were agreed in condemning the first style, and three agreed that the wearing of hoops was a practice “unbecoming women professing godliness.” SHM 122.3

The fourth, however, expressed her opinion that the hoops were unobjectionable, and might be “recommended to the church generally in this season of the year, when used with moderation.”—The Review and Herald, September 23, 1858. SHM 122.4

In the latter part of 1861 Mrs. White said of this oddity: “Hoops, I was shown, were an abomination, and every Sabbathkeeper’s influence should be a rebuke to this ridiculous fashion, which has been a screen to iniquity.”—Ibid., August 27, 1861. SHM 122.5

Hoops continued to be frequently denounced in the church paper, both by ministry and laity. The general stand of the church against them is reflected in a letter from a lady correspondent who wrote of her experience in accepting the message. At a tent meeting she asked one good sister if she could be an Adventist and continue wearing her hoops. A negative reply caused her to assert that she could not become a member if that were the case. However, after hearing a lecture on dress by Elder Waggoner, she decided that she “could lay them off forever if it would be pleasing in the sight of the Lord.” Ibid., April 28, 1863. SHM 122.6