The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-05-04
From the Christian Standard,
FASHION. -aFf

|
+ In the Christian STANDARD, Feb, II,
was this idea: s.That the day may
come, when culture and labor will
shake hands together, and taste and
religion kneel down together. >
Thanks to Marie Radcliffe Butler. Her
article did my heart coed. We should
| like to shake hands with her, while
the heart resolved to labor for that
day when glad fruition shall be the
recompense for laboring against the
thralIdom of fashion. Her heart, too,
/ has felt the mockery of style, especial
ly the turning of the house of God in
to mimic show. How dare Chris
tan woman follow every fashion, at
the sacrifice of health, ease, sound
sense, or the good that she might do.
Oil where has the lady gone with the
modest apparel, the meek and quiet
spirit? We see naught but gaudy
costly array Say, sweet Lords day
morning, have you witnessed one of
these stylish Christians. in retirement,
GO and for one hour watch with Christ
asking him to make their souls pure
through his mercy and love; asking
his aid to fit that heart to receive the
truths of the holy word, that Christ's
kingdom might be a temple within,
until that perfect man in Christ Jesus
should be attained ? All! we fear
there have been lips that touched the
" sacred memory thatsb no time for
prayed in the closet, alone with God.
The worshippers thatlook well to ''the
latest from Paris" have they, perhaps,
procured 1T at any expense. to worship
Christ in No, the goddess Fashion
has had more kneeling about her altar
than ever had the holy child Jesus
Oh! humanity, how thou hast forgot
ten thy savior. 49,. -. ,.aststts ~ ...
Well may the Christian hearted rwo-
man cry out for joy,tff.s The chain is
broken, we will be free" to choose for
our apparel and homes that which will
make us happy, true. noble and good;
in dress we will no longer mar. God 8
plan of symmetry and true grace. BE
ye not conformed TO the world, but
be We transformed in the reviewing of
your minds. France has fully person
iffed heavens meaning of this qrogld.
How very few women of means. have
bravelv withstood the tide of fashion
that has been swept over to Us from
Paris. A Transformation has taken
place, yet not as God meant; for he
gave us physical laws as well as spir-
itul. Laws for our body are sacred,
like those of the soul but by disobe-
dience. what are we? a deformity in
the sight of our Maker. Fashion has
done what she could to weaken all our
powers. Away with the long, trailing
dresses, the tightened, slender waist,
the high-heeled shoes, the Grecian
bend, the false hair; these lhings have
very nearly finished the, work of
crushing the life out of humanity, di-
minishing body and soul. Why are
women cursed with weak backs The |
trailing dresses, the frightened waists,
may answer; the Greeian bend and
igh-heeled shoes have distorted the
whole plan of a sure STEP. an upright, |
noble frame. Surely, the Grecian bend !
never gave its wearer the appearance
of a high, exalted soul, full of grand |
resolve. The style of hair worn, that
gave woman donble-headed appear
ance--this weight heating the seat OF
the nervous system-made sad havoc /
of quiet nerves. Surely, God is not |
homes? Gods laws were outraged. |
Fashion has outdone Herod slaying /
the innocents. Don't blame Provi- /
denee that babes arc born to die in |
their infancy. Murderous fashion has
been robbing womanhood of one of I
its noblest charms, the capability of
becoming a true, womanly mother. /
Gladly raise q true standard of reform
where good Judgment shall dictate for
the coming woman" q dress that is |
sensible, beautiful, natural, and I
healthful. Courage! brave women,
you who desire TO use the open door
of usefulness. Il. AGNES CLARK.