Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1856-01-29
DREIs ss.

character. Il 10 90 10 some extent, In
spite OF tho laws Of fashion. Fashion,
that would cast oil into the ssmo mould ;
compel all to wear mszarine blue dres
sss, ribbons, and even shoes or maroon
or straw color az tho leaders fancy fash.
ion, that would compress all waists into
smaller dimensions fashion, that thinks
all feet little TOO large. say in spite
Of fashion some little Of character 10
still indicated by the dress.
Some wear gay, gaudy colors, which
say that the wearers arc dszzlcd by
some ss yet underlined sense Of existent
beauty, without power to analyze or har.
monize. They can see things that are
paIpable, and painfully apparent. but
are all unconscious Of little delicacies,
Of nicer shades.
Others wear the most unobstrusive
colors without trimming or ornament.-
The language Of this dress is suffering,
sympathetic or personal, or present or
prospective. 1t says the wesrer cannot
look upon the beauties Of nature, can.
not hear the music Of the spheres, can.
not feel the positive life, while sin, suffer.
ing, and death are abroad in the earth |;
all the beauty is dimmed, every flower is
stained by the tear ofsorrow, every melo.
day is drowned in the groans Of agony,
all life is in the presence Of death. 1t
is the dress Of prayer.
Others wear dark, strong fabrics, and
these tell Of work; ofhops, energy. and
determination. They assert present
power, are able to remove evils, and in
hope and faith thoy apply themselves
cheerfully to work.
Others again wear the delicate, the
gossamer, the beautiful; and these tel
Of rest. 1t may bo the child.like repose
in our Heavenly Fathers power, wisdom
and love. The storms Of life may dark.
en-, and the boat may be fearfully lash.
ed by the furious waves /; but this says
"my fathers at the helm" The groans
Of The sick end suffering may reach their
ears, but this dress expresses all Of con.
fdence in the Great Physician. They
hear the prayer Of starving Humanity,
knowing that il they ask bread they
shall not be Knocked with stones, il they
ask fish they will not be offered serpents.
Oh I! the trusting, loving faith Of the
beautiful dress gs
Then the tight, oppressive dress tells
OF the slave unconcious Of bonds or II
awaking to consciousness, the fearful
want Of power to break The fetters, the
unfitness for self.reliance and freedom.
The close, thick dress tells Of se'
cretiveness, want Of confidence, SUSPECT.
on, fear, Disappointed.
The open child.like dress tells Of in.
nocence, candor, honesty; and so oi
every style Of dress when worn in con-
formity with the fancy or taste OF the
wearer.
What we ask is, that dress may be al.
ways the true expression Of, may cor
respond with. may be adapted 10 the
character Of the wearer. 81. a.
Whe can tell how painful to me j;
some oppressive evil that like a great
cloud obscures the light, casts on mt
its shadow, and banishes Joy from my
heart +? How painful must be the con
trast to me il am compelled BY Others
to say, by my dress, am joyous ant
gay, while my heart sighs weary ant
sad. ']r' e
Who will ask me 10 wear the fragile
the gossamer, when The hard rough worl
Of life surrounds me, when must girt
myself for the fight? who can tell hov
much need the protective strength o
the amor Of mail ''' i#
i Who can tell how sweet my rest il
| the All.Fathers love Who dare asl
mo to wear the somber and dull whel
my spirit is radia mt with light, bedecke'
with jewels Of lovel
II none can tell how hopelessly dee
is my grief, how difficult and severe m
labor, how joyous and light my life {
trusting love, who can decide what
shall :? decide what to me is true or false
Who shall say that must not do wit
all my might what no hands find to do
. or say I do not serve while stand an
) wait /? MARY A. ToRBET.
Tvs nm Tho cvclo nc historv thar nYt