We most cordially agree with you in deploring the sad conformity to the world as exhibited in the dress of many professing Christians. It is most sad, and evidences but too plainly the bent of the heart, the tone of the mind, and the moral condition of the soul. We are often deeply pained in looking round at assemblies of Christians gathered for the purpose of showing forth the Lord's death, to mark the style of dress, the fashionable appearance, so unlike what one would expect to find on the persons of those who profess to be dead to the world.
It is not, we may truly say, that we desire to see Christians adopting a certain costume or livery; or that we should like to see them slovenly in appearance. Far from it; we love neatness and simplicity—" modest apparel "—moderate, suitable attire. It may perhaps be said that many take their place in the Christian assembly who have been accustomed all their lives to dress elegantly and they never think of such things. This we can quite understand, and make allowance for; but, at the same time, we feel called upon to offer a word of warning to Christians on the subject of conformity to the world in dress and other things. It is a subject which demands serious attention. We believe that where the heart is true to the Lord, the word of exhortation will be received and acted upon; the Lord knows we offer it in love. May He act on the hearts and consciences of His people by His word and Spirit, and give them to carry themselves alight in these things, that His name may be glorified in the deportment, walk, and appearance of His people.
" I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that "ye.....be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."-Rom. 12:1, 21I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1‑2).
Oh! the importance of being faithful in the "little," for he that is faithful in the little is faithful also in much.
Oh! the happiness of " abiding " in Christ, being near to Him 1 Oh, the misery of distance and estrangement The more intimate I become with Him, the more sensitive to anything that comes between Him and my soul, even to a hair's breadth.
The finer the machinery, the more easily is it disturbed in its action: a single hair will suffice to obstruct the action of a watch. So the closer, and finer, and purer my relations with the Lord, the more intolerable is anything that can interfere with my enjoyment of those relations. But, blessed be His name, He is ever ready to receive, to restore, to "heal" and to " lead;" He is the one magnet of unfailing attraction to which His own ever turn-my own only "refuge and portion."