Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

not wrong to wear small hoops.” No one has ever heard me say this. After seeing whatI have in regard to hoops, nothing would induce me to give the least encouragement toany to wear them. Heavy quilts and hoops are alike unnecessary. He that framed usnever designed that we should be deformed with hoops, or anything to look like them.But God’s people have so long been led by the inventions and fashions of the worldthat they are unwilling to move out independent of them. When I study the Scriptures,I am alarmed for the Israel of God in these last days. They are exhorted to flee fromidolatry. I fear that they are asleep and so conformed to the world that it would bedifficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. Thedistance is widening between Christ and His people, and lessening between them andthe world. The marks of distinction between Christ’s professed people and the worldhave almost disappeared. Like ancient Israel, they follow after the abominations of thenations around them.From what has been shown me, hoops are an abomination. They are indecent; andGod’s people err if they in the least degree follow, or give countenance to, this fashion.Those who profess to be God’s chosen, peculiar people, should discard hoops, andtheir practice should be a living rebuke to those who wear them. Some may pleadconvenience. I have traveled much, and have seen a great deal of inconvenienceattending the wearing of hoops. Those who plead necessity on account of health, wearthem in the winter, when they are a greater injury than quilted skirts. While travelingin the cars and stages, I have often been led to exclaim: O Modesty, where is thy blush!I have seen large companies crowding into the cars, and in order to make any headway,the hoops had to be raised and placed in a shape which was indecent. And the exposureof the form was tenfold more with those who wore hoops, than with those who did not.Were it not for fashion, those who thus277