The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
RETRENCHMENT.

RETRENCHMENT.
At the suggestion of a distinguished Pro-
fessor in one of our Theological Seminaries,
and from my own convictions, will call the
attention of our Christian brethren and sis
ters in this day of disgusting parade and
extravaganza, to the necessity of more plain
ness and frugality in dress and equipage, as
we'll as in eating and drinking, that we may
save money not only to support the gospel
at home, but to send it speedily to the
heather, in obedience to the last command
of our blessed Lord But why should We
spend our time or breath in opposing fashion,
when all the world goes one way and wan
ders after the beast? But there may be
chosen remnant who will hear the voice of
conscience and the word of God During
our horrd war we seemed for time to re-
pent and reform; but our righteousness was
like the morning cloud and early dew. If
we could do well then, when Gods hand was
heavy upon US, with plain fare and apparel,
why not now when the sun of peace is shin
ing upon US? And surely sentiments of
gratitude should have some weight with a
Christian people.
We are not writing now for the drunken
and profane, the proud and imperous, the
gay and the giddy, but for serious Chris
tians, who are said to be "a peculiar people"
And while we admit that the Bible does not
specify exactly what portion of money and
time Christians shosallaa2 spend in decorating
and feeding their dying bodies, we learn
from the example of John the Baptist with
coarse raiment and hard fare, and of Christ
in the manger and his voluntary poverty, as
we'll as from numerous Divine precepts upon
the subject, that Christians should be dis
tinguished for plainness and simplicity in
their style of living. 1t is written in our
Bibles, {" Whether ye eat or drink, or what
soever ye do, do all to the glory of God"
III we are lAucSu) NC VIII hofO
some regard to the word of God. But our
zeal in business, and hustle to repair our lost
fortunes, and our zest for politics, leave us
little time to search the Scriptures. If we
wish to know the truth and do our duty, why
should we require more specific and explicit
rule than the passage we have presented for
all our department, sentiments, and plans!
When we buy or sell, give or receive, labor
or rest, eat or drink, let US ask ourselves, Is
it for the glory of God and the good of
men? Let US ever feel that we are bought
with price, and we are not our own.
Again Paul says "Be not conformed to this
world but be yc transformed by the renew
ing of your mind" DIR. Doddridge has it,
"Be not conformed to the sentiments and
customs of this vain and sinful world. The
sentiments are the notions or opinions of the
ungodly, and the customs are their fashions
and habits. Blu. man or woman may ac-
cidentally and innocantly fall into their
fashion from necessity, while they need not
adopt their ridiculous antics And while we
would urge Christian gravity upon all, we
would make some allowance for the natural
levity and hilarity of young people.
But We are abiding to the silly changes
that are made almos. ,ith eysfy changing
moon to keep up constant excitement, and
encourage merchants in the North at oul
expense. And from what country and class
of people do our fashions in dress and man
ners almost invariably come? 1t is vel
known that We are constantly apiug the
French, the most atheistical and dissolutt
people on the globe, and even in Paris few
real ladies look upon them as signs of loose
morals, and stand aloof. "Thus our poor
befooed girls, says one who knows, the
offspring of virtuous Virginia mothers, il
their determination to be fashionable art
sometimes betrayed into the dress and man
ners of harlots." These facts ought to b,
better known by our good fathers and moth
ers, who feel for the welfare of their children
in time and eternity. Some would say it j
not a subject of sufficient Importance to re
quire sermons or lectures But let US hea
the word of God and not the whims of mer
, and women. Paul knowing this frail ten
dency says, "In like manner also, that wo
men adorn themselves in modest appare
t with shamefacedness and sobriety; not wit
e braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costl
5 array" And Mr.. Newton says, "Wome
t who profess godlineSs and who have the car
: of young persons of their own sex, are pei
t haps in no point more blameable than in tn
f example which some of them set, and tn