Chapter 2—Not to Be Our Present Truth

The dress question is not to be our present truth. To create an issue on this point now would please the enemy. He would be delighted to have minds diverted to any subject by which he might create division of sentiment, and lead our people into controversy.GPDR 14.2

I beg of our people to walk carefully and circumspectly before God. Follow the customs in dress so far as they conform to health principles. Let our sisters dress plainly, as many do, having the dress of good, durable material, appropriate for this age, and let not the dress question fill the mind. ^{1Note: In a letter of counsel written at this time, Mrs. White urged: “Follow the custom of dress in health reform, but do not again introduce the short dress and pants unless you have the word of the Lord for it.”—Letter 19, 1897.}GPDR 14.3

Our sisters should dress with simplicity. They should clothe themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. Give to the world a living illustration of the inward adorning of the grace of God. Place yourselves under the discipline of the living oracles of God, subjecting the mind to influences which form the character aright.GPDR 14.4