Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Reform Kept in Proper Perspective

Mrs. White kept the whole matter of dress reform in proper perspective. She refused to let it become a dominant subject in the church. Listen to her words: EGWC 153.1

“None need fear that I shall make dress reform one of my principal subjects as we travel from place to place. Those who have heard me upon this matter will have to act upon the light that has already been given. I have done my duty; I have borne my testimony, and those who have heard me and read that which I have written, must now bear the responsibility of receiving or rejecting the light given. If they choose to venture to be forgetful hearers, and not doers of the work, they run their own risk, and will be accountable to God for the course they pursue. I am clear. I shall urge none, and condemn none.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:523. EGWC 153.2

In line with this was the counsel she gave to certain sisters whose husbands were opposed to the reform dress: EGWC 153.3

“Sisters who have opposing husbands have asked my advice in regard to their adopting the short dress contrary to the wishes of the husband. I advise them to wait. I do not consider the dress question of so vital importance as the Sabbath. Concerning the latter there can be no hesitation. But the opposition which many might receive should they adopt the dress reform, would be more injurious to health than the dress would be beneficial.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:522. EGWC 153.4

It is difficult to see how she could have presented more judiciously a reform program—and how greatly the current fashions needed reforming! She did not permit this program to overbalance other and more vital considerations. EGWC 153.5

In her statement on dress reform in the Review and Herald in 1867 Mrs. White is explicit that it is one of the minor things: EGWC 153.6

“The dress reform was ^* among the minor things that were to make up the great reform in health, and never should have been urged as a testing truth necessary to salvation.”—October 8, 1867, p. 261. EGWC 153.7

Mrs. White made this statement about the minor place of dress reform while she was in the midst of promoting that reform. She did not make this statement as an afterthought, in a lame attempt to explain why that particular dress reform was abandoned. In fact, her statement concerning the minor character of this feature of reform provides the proper setting in which to consider the matter of the abandonment of a particular style of reform dress. EGWC 154.1

As late as 1873 Mrs. White made this brief comment on dress reform in connection with an extended discussion of the Health Institute: EGWC 154.2

“The dress reform is treated by some with great indifference, and by others with contempt, because there is a cross attached to it. For this cross I thank God. It is just what we need to distinguish and separate God’s commandment-keeping people from the world. The dress reform answers to us as did the ribbon of blue to ancient Israel.”—Testimonies for the Church 3:171. EGWC 154.3