The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-01-02
The Power Of Dress.

There are few things the influence
Of which ara more absurdly overrat-
ted than dress. There are persons
who seem to think that their well be-
Ing In this life depends upon their
dress; that position, respect and
friends will be lost II they are not
dressed in the latest and most be-
witching style. Hence. With many,
dress becomes the chief end OF exis-
tence. The care and burden OF their
life is dress. Wealth. health, and
life itself. are sacrificed at the shrine
Of this idol. With them life Is one
long ~dress parade" and they seem
to think IL for single hour they
were to venture out from the envi-
roning walls Of fashion they would
be likely to be forever dish ,nored
aud disgraced In the eyes OF those
whose good opinion they must es-
TEEN and hence are all their lifetime
subject to bondage
: They greatly overestimate tn :
power OF dress. The hold which
dress has on sympathy. the affection
and the respect Of mankind Is CON-
paratively slight. The man who lie
charmed by q new suit OF clothes,
loses his enthusiasm when the cloth
es grow old; the woman Who thinks
TO enchain the hearts OF her admirers
by q show of silks and satins. purple
and 6us linen, will find eventually
that she has made terrible mistake.
There Ia nothing 10 satin that binds
rho soul; there is no genuine perma-
nent attraction ir silks and furs, In
f1ounces and furbelows. What meu
and women are attracted by 10 per-
sonality. vigor. intelligence, health,
strength and grace. Ribbons and
ruffies form a very poor substitute
for these essential and important
things. That man or that woman
who has the wisdom that maket til the
face TO shine" the intelligence that
CLEANS in the flashing eye: the cul
ture that shows Itself in the we'll
ehiselsd features; the physical vigor
which accompanies good digestion.
good health andgood spirits: the pow
or to do, and to endure: courage,
faith. devotion. honesty. goodness aud
Goodness, finds in these the forces
which link hearts together, and which
forge bsnds that even death irself
cannot break. Compared with these.
Q few ribbons strung about an empty
head: few silks and laces hung up
on an enfeeb.ed form: the latest style
Of dress. with all its gaudy and taw-
dry belongings. wrapped about
scrawny aud devitalized frame. Is
very poor substitute for the honest
countenance, the beaming eye. the
ringing laugh, the ready wit. the
Dympathetic tear, the gentle grace
which wins and retains the hearts OF
those around. The life 10 more than
the meat. and the body more than
the raimeDt. Let the soul be renew
ed by the grace OF God: let the mind
be cultivated by patient and intelli-
gent study let the sympathies have
their play In acts OF kindness and
goodwill let the heart find its anchor
age In the faith and love OF Christ:
Lot physical health be maintained in
VS. native vlgor and with all Its at
tractivs comeliness: and. while
strength ard activity will afford am
pie means and opportunities for rea-
sonable attention to apparel. Jet pow
erty itself with its rags could not hide
the grace and lovellnes OF one who,
possessedof true nobleness OF soul.
had sought first the inward adorniag.
and thus won beauty fairer than
that OF fashion. more durable than
that OF dress.-The Christian.