A few things are necessary to be observed, in relation to your apparel:—­1. All that you have is the Lord’s. You have nothing but what he has given you; and this you have solemnly promised to employ in his service.  You have no right, therefore, needlessly to squander it upon your person.  The apostle Paul, in the text quoted at the commencement of this letter, directs women to adorn themselves with modest apparel; and forbids the wearing of costly ornaments and jewelry.  The apostle Peter also repeats the same exhortation.  The love of finery displayed by many of the females of our congregations, some of whom are professors of religion, is directly at variance with these 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