se not less so to other people. Sisters, dress so
that a modest man will not feel embarrassed in your presence.
Apparel should be modest as to cost. It should not be what the Scriptures
term "costly array." It is well to buy good material, and for such we must
pay a good price, but this is not what the Bible means by "costly array."
It means not to be extravagant. We should not waste money, but make the
best possible use of it.
Some have thought it wrong to try to make our clothes becoming. This is
not the case. The Bible says "that women _adorn_ themselves in modest
apparel"; that is, their apparel should be such as adorns or becomes them,
so long as it is modest clothing. It should be adapted in cut, color,
etc., to harmonize with the complexion, size, and height of the person. We
owe it to ourselves to make a good appearance. To make ourselves
outlandish in any way is neither wise nor right. It is violating modesty,
and this is not consistent. It is only when we make a proper appearance
that we can have a proper influence, and so be effective for God.
God delights in modesty in dress, in words, in actions--in all things.
Pride and show are an abomination to him, and if we conform to him in our
inner life and character, outward conformity will naturally follow; but if
inward desire runs out after that which is immodest and gaudy, if the
heart desires to display upon the person gold and jewels and finery, it is
because it does not conform to the image of God's Son, but to the world.
TALK TWENTY. BAPTIZED WITH FIRE
John the Baptist said, when speaking of the work of the coming Messiah,
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." The symbolic
tongues of fire which sat on the believers on the day of Pentecost
represented a very real something which from henceforth would be
manifested in their lives. It is not my purpose here to enter into an
explanation of the Baptist's words. I wish to speak only of the fervency
which fire represents as it should characterize our lives. The life that
has in it no fervency has little or nothing of God. The soul that is
vigorous in God is a soul full of power. We need to be "on fire" for God,
and there are three ways in which this fervency should manifest itself.
A Burning Love.
We need a fervent love. It is the foundation, as it were, of all Christian
fervency. If our love lacks fervency, it lacks the vital element that
makes it effective. If our love
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