The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-30
A Short Sermon on Ladies'
Dress.
BY REV. c. II. STURGEON.


modest apparel, with shamefacedness and SO
briefly Tim. ii SO.
On the 18th of April, in the course Of
an action brought by the Unknown
modesto Madame Resale" against a
gentleman of property to compel him to
pay debt contracted by his wife. it was
stated in evidence, that from $500 to
C., 900 year might be considered a rea-
sonable sum for lady moving in good
society to expend on dress The gen.
tleman's wife, in the witness box, repu-
dated with lofty scorn the idea that the
former amount was sufficient. The lady
is an invalid, has never been presented
at court and is not called into company.
and yet was indebted for millinery to
very large amount.
Is it, then fact that so large a sum is
considered needful for the clothing OF
one human form? Surely, the luxury
of the old Roman Empire is injecting
our beloved country may God grant that
1t may not, in our case, also be sign OF
the decay of the nation. Women should
be too considerable of the needs of the
sick and suffering to spend their Il oney
so wastefully A blanket placed on the
bed of poor old woman would be bet
ter ornament to ladys character than
all the lace dukedom could purchase.
Yes, so it is-but tell it not in Gath-a
lady cannot be dressed under $4,000 a
year
WHAT a contrast in the teaching of the
apostle Peter, in his first epistle at the
third chapter: whose adjoining, let it
not be that outward adjoining OF plating
the hair. and of wearing OF gold or OF
putting on OF apparel; but let it be the
hidden man of the heart. in that which
is not corruptible, even the ornament OF
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight OF God OF great price. For after
this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned
themselves, being in subsection unto
their own husbands" Peter sends the
ladies to a wardrobe better than anv
which the frivolous possess, and to a
jewel-case richer than ever belonged to
the vain and snowy; but alas the mass
of women do not care to adorn them
selves In the right royal fashion. Pride
OF dress is SO childish that one wonders
to zee 1t in grown-up people. The old
proverb speaks of being twice children;
but tops and dandies Of either sex are
always children. Archbishop Leighton
has we'll said at is strange upon how
poor things men and women will be
vain, and think themselves somebody;
not only upon some comeliness In their
face or feature, which, though poor, is
yet a part OF themselves, but OF things
merely without them; that they are well
lodged, or well mounted, or we'll APP
parelIed, either richly or well in fashion.
Light, empty minds are like bladders-
blown up with anything
The only excuse we can think of for
some dressy women, is that they think
themselves very ugly. What deiormity
must exist if it nee IS two thousand
year to cover 1T If these persons
accurately gauge their lack of personal
charms, they must be suffering under a
fearful measure of uncomeliness Why,
ten or twenty families could be reared in
comparative comfort upon the amount
thus expended in wastefulness and as
matters go with the. agricultural laborers
in many of the shires, forty of the fami-
lies owned by Hodge and his companions
including all the father Hodges and their
wives, could be decently provided Tor
upon two thousand year 1t will not
bear thinking of Yet many women
protesting godliness are shockingly ex-
travagant, and can never be happy till
their heads are tricked out with strange
gear and their bodies with fashionable
millinery. They little think how much
they degrade themselves and grieve the
Spirit Of God. A forgiven sinner, decked
out in the Haunting garments OF a world
ling, casts suspicion upon her own pardon
If she had ever been renewed in heart.
would she, could she adorn herself after
the manner Of Jezebel? 1t is hard to
think of a disciple of the Lord wasting
her substance upon personal decoration.
Does the lowly Jesus keep company with
persons who spend hours at the glass,
adjoining, if not adoring their own flesh ?
Can extravaganza and iashionableness be
pleasing to the Lord? No, assuredly
not.
We are not judging that meat hand
someness" which George Herbert says
" doth bear the sway" but we are sor-
rowful when we see those who set them
selves up as examples, and move in a
position where no outward show is
required, going beyond ordinary worldly
women in extravaganza. 1t is the bane
Of society and the disgrace of religion.