Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-01
SUNDAY READING
THE SECTION ON DRESS.

From the Nashville Christian Advocated
Our readers are aware that the section mot
the general rule) on Dress has been elimina-
ted from the Discipline by the General Con-
ference They may not object 10 our giving
them the history Of this Protean canon.
The original form Of the section on Dress,
In the Large Minutes Of the British Con-
ference is as follows:
"OUEsrIoN l6. Should we insist on the
Band-Rules, particularly with regard to
dress?
ANSWER. BY all means. This is no time
TO give any encouragement 10 superiority Of
apparel. Therefore give no band ticket 10
any till they have left off superfluous orna-
ments. In order to this, ]. Let every as
sistant read the Thoughts upon Dress at
least once a year, in every large society. 2.
In visiting the classes, be very mild, bet very
strict g. Allow no exempt case, not even
Of a married woman. Better one suffer than
many. T. Give no tickets 10 any that wear
high heads OF enormous bOnnets.'
At the organization Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in America, in 1874, sew
eral changes were made in this rule. The
question reads thus:
60. IS. Should we insist on the rules
band" is omitted, and the last items read,
Give no ticket to any that wear calashes,
high heads, enormous bonnets, rufBes, or
rings"
in the Large Minutes" Assistants "
are advised
Vigorously, but calmly, enforce the rules
concerning needless ornaments, drains, snuff,
and tobacco. Give no band ticket 10 any
man or woman who does not promise 10 leave
them Off"
As some Of the American fathers were
fond Of the filthy Weei, while they eXecrated
enormous bonnets," they patronizingly
lifted the embargo from the former, and
omitted the clause "Give no band ticket to
any man or woman who does not promise
10 leave them Of" This was done in 1884.
In 1892 the words, 81 not eve Of married
woman were cancelled. In 1896 the an
swer was made 10 read as follows
q" BY all means This is no time to give
encouragement 10 the superfuity of apparel.
Therefore receive none into the Church till
they have left of superfuous ornaments.
In order 10 this, I. Let every one who has
charge Of a circuit or station, read Mr.. Nes-
ley's Thoughts upon Dress at least once
year in every society. 2. In visiting the
classes, be very mild, hit very strict. 3.
Allow Of no exempt case; better one suher
than many a. Give no tickets TO any that
wear high.hsads, numerous rutles or rings"
At the General Conference Of the Meth0-
dist Episcopal Church, South, held in St.
Eouis 1850, the Committee on Revisal re-
ported favorably in regard TO a resolution Of
MesTs. Doty and Gloss providing for the
expunction of the words, 'in order to this"
the figures 1, >, 3 4, and all after 4. The
Conference closed before final action was al
ON this Report, but it was adopted Al the
General Conference held in Columbus Ga,
1854.
At the General Coierence held in Nash
vile, 1858, j. LUSH and L. PEARCE offered
a resolution calling for the expunction of
the Section on Dress-which was not adopt
ed. J.. PEARCE and c. X. MARSHALL moved
20 cancel the words, "theroiore receive none
into the Church till they have left off super
duOus ornaments" and all after the word
society-whereupon on motion OF J. STACY,
the subject was indefinitely postponed. But
rs the Committee on Revisal subsequently,
reported in favor of its expunction, J. STACY
moved an amendment, which was adopted,
and inserted in the Discipline, as follows:
% Shall We insist on the rule concerning
dross?'
a. Byall means This is no time TO give
encouragement 20 supertiuity Of apparel.
Therefore lot each preacher in charge direct
the attention Of those committed TO his care
20 the general rule on this subject, and to
the Holy Scriptures on which 1t is based;
mildly yet earnestly urging them to keep
the same
At the late General Conference there was
no opposition to the expunction Of this sec
ton. Il seems % be generally believed that
fs,r 4.f II, Inpa
any good. while sometimes il has been the
occasion Of mischief
In the directions given 20 the Band SoCie-
ties, December %, l77I there are the fol-
lowing items
a. 10 pa'rn nothing, H0, not 20 sluc ljc."
g. To wear no needless ornaments, such
as rings, earrings necklaces, lace. rufles.
80. To use no needless solfindulgcncc,
such as taking SNUFF, or tobacco, unless prescribed
By a physician
In 1892 the portions we have italicized
were omitted In 1854, at the Conference
held before the Christmas Conference, at
which the Methodist Episcopal Church in
America was organized, the following min
ME was adopted
%. H. How shall we prevent superhui-
~ in dress among our people
A. Let the breaches carefully avoid
every thing Of the kind in themselves, and
speak frequently and faithfully against it in
all our societies"
The impossibility Of enforcing sumptuafy
laws on such q subject as dress, is sufficiently
obvious. BY what definite standard shall
the matter be adjusted Who is TO decide
what is superluous What docs Mr.. IVES
LEY mean, IN the General Rules, by the
putting on of gold and costly apparelF'
What do PAUL and PETER mean in the two
great classical passages on this subject !
Timothy Il. 9, 10; Peter iii l-62 BY
whose standard Of taste, judgment and con-
science must Christians be governed-their
own or others-tRe authority Of the Bible
being recognized by all as supreme?
it is obviously the business Of pastors 60
discountenance all extravaganza, foppery, !
and vanity, as well as neglect and slovenli- |
ness in dress; and surely they can and will |
discharge their duty In the premises, with
out the specific, ambiguous and ever chang
ing legislation on the subject which seemed
so much 10 trouble and ombarrass our faith
ers in the ministry.