Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Power of Example 269mingle with the world, partake of their spirit, dress, talk, and act likethem.Read 1 Timothy 2:9, 10: “In like manner also, that women adornthemselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (whichbecometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Also 1 Peter3:3-5: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaitingthe hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let itbe the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, eventhe ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God ofgreat price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also,who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto theirown husbands.”The power of example is great. Sister A ventures to wear smallhoops. Sister B says: It is no worse for me to wear hoops than for SisterA, and she wears them a little larger. Sister C imitates the example ofSisters A and B, and wears her hoops a little larger than A and B, butall contend that their hoops are small.Parents who would teach their children the evil of following thefashions of the world, have a hard battle. They are met with: “Why,mother, Sisters A, B, and C wear hoops; if it is wicked for me, it isfor them.” What can the parents say? They should set a right example [279]before their children, and although the example of professed followersof Christ causes the children to think that their parents are too carefuland severe in their restrictions, yet God will bless the efforts of theseconscientious parents. If parents do not take a decided, firm course,their children will be borne down with the current, for Satan andhis evil angels are working upon their minds, and the example ofunconsecrated professors makes the work of overcoming far morelaborious for them. Yet with faith in God and earnest prayer, believingparents should press on in the rugged path of duty. The way of thecross is an onward, upward way. And as we advance therein, seekingthe things that are above, we must leave farther and farther in thedistance the things which belong to the earth. While the world andcarnal professors are rushing downward to death, those who climb thehill will have to put forth efforts or they will be carried down withthem.