Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Mrs. White’s Testimony in 1867

In this same year, 1867, Mrs. White published Testimony No. 11, containing an article entitled “Reform in Dress,” which restates at some length what she had written before. Her reason for doing so, as she explains in the opening paragraph, is that some did not seem to have understood her position, and that some who did not wish to believe what she had written had sought to make confusion in the church regarding it. In this testimony (No. 11) she takes note of a report that was in circulation that she wore the American costume, and that that style of reform dress was the one being worn by the sisters in Battle Creek. Her vigorous comment was: “I am here reminded of the saying, that ‘a lie will go around the world while truth is putting on his boots.’”—Testimonies for the Church 1:463. EGWC 150.2

She explained again the objectives she had in view in recommending the kind of reform dress that she did. She counseled her sisters to be neat and give proper attention to dress, even the dress that they wore in ordinary house work when only their family saw them. Said she: EGWC 150.3

“Sisters when about their work should not put on clothing which would make them look like images to frighten the crows from the corn. It is more gratifying to their husbands and children to see them in a becoming, well-fitting attire, than it can be to mere visitors or strangers.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:464. EGWC 150.4

Having made general observations about the kind of reform dress that she considered proper, she continued: EGWC 150.5

“The above-described dress we believe to be worthy of the name of the reform short dress. It is being adopted at the Western Health Reform Institute [Battle Creek Sanitarium], and by some of the sisters at Battle Creek and other places where the matter is properly set before the people. In wide contrast with this modest dress is the so-called American costume, resembling very nearly the dress worn by men. It consists of a vest, pants, and a dress resembling a coat and reaching about half-way from the hip to the knee. This dress I have opposed, from what has been shown me as in harmony with the word of God; while the other I have recommended as modest, comfortable, convenient, and healthful.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:465. EGWC 151.1

Note Mrs. White’s repeated indictment of the “American costume.” But this was the costume worn by Miss Dr. Austin, who, according to the charge, persuaded Mrs. White to adopt it! That Mrs. White did not adopt that costume, even in a “slightly modified” form, seems transparently clear from the evidence. EGWC 151.2