Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-09-26
MORAL REFORM
From the Advocate of Moral Reform,
o N ID H Z $ $
ye do, do all to the glorv Of

Whatsoever ye do do all TO the glory of God"
Since the moral reform enterprise has
been engaging the attention of the COM
munity, many Of its friends have been
anxiously inquiring into the various Gus
toms and habits of society, to discover. if
possible, their bearing upon this all i'm
portant cause.
The more extended the investigation,
the more evident is it that cerg mGnv of
the customs that obtain very extensively
in society. are but the rils of vice. little
streams that wend their way through the
peaceful wales Of virtue and loveIiness, to
the deep, dark reservoir of unminpled
pollution and wretchedness.
Among the various shrines at which
the eager multitude worship, none seems
to obtain so large share of homage from
I all classes and all people, as that OF fash
ion in dress. Much has been said and
written by the advocates of moral purity.
upon the evils of extravaganza in dress.
Good has doubtless been accomplished by
the efforts already made in this depart-
ment of reform. Much, however, vet re-
mains to be effected Will not the friends
of virtue investigate the subject, and give
the public the results of their investiga-
tons? Will they tel US, if there are
any reasons. why the plain, positive com
mands of Scripture should not be obeyed,
:" Let your women adorn themselves in
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
isobriety, not with broidered hair, and gold
and pearls, and costly array." Is there
any reason why fashion should dictate to
the daughters of the land their modes Of
dress, the form of every article they wear
Are there any reasons why they should
refuse to consult sound sense, true gentiIi
ty, good taste. and above all, the word O
God, and consult with implicit confidence
the ever varying tyrant, iashion2 But
SO it is, all these are neglected, and fash
ion holds almost omnipotent sway owe
the great mass of females in our country
What will not young lady sacrifice /,
; obtain a fashionable appearance He
time, her money, the energies of her i'm
mortal mind, her health, her life. Tn,
picture is not overdrawn, for it too offer
" proves the price of her riftne and he
soul
Those who have engaged in persona
labors in the cause of moral reform, know
: full well where love of dress has led ma
Z nv Those who have listened to falie
! woman's tale of woe, have often seen tha
: this was the great temptation by whicl
she was first led astray, and robbed of tn
b. priceless gem of virtue. This is whs
re has led thousands to the "house of he
1t whose steps take hold on DEATH" an
Is whose dwelling is but the anti-chambe
;: of hell. 1t would seem that to a pure, r,
to fleeing mind, the origin of the great ma.
ID of fashions so assiduously followed by ii
lot multitude, would be sufficient to Diet,
,ly from any disposition tofollow them. W
ir- have been told in the" Advocate th
nd they are coined in tie houses of infan
lso in Paris and London Respecting mo
Ids things, the sources fr3m which they en-
IT'S aRate go far towards establishing the co
vi diality of their reception. Why not let
md be 10 then respecting fashions! IF 1
- fountain is totally corrupt, will not i
the streams be also2 We should be slow
en- pay our devoiions, Een sacrifice our Ii,