Communication from Bro. Cottrell.
By R. F. Cottrell
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am much pleased with the article in No. 1, on the subject of dress, and would recommend it to the careful attention of the remnant of God's people. This may be thought a subject too trivial to demand much attention, but since it is of sufficient importance to be noticed by the apostles, and recorded for our instruction, no one should esteem it unworthy of their attention. And had the people called Methodists heeded the advice of Wesley in this matter, to the present day, the world would still have had the benefit of one Christian attribute which, like all others, is now almost extinct in the world. And they would feel its rebuke, that is, all that are not too far gone in folly to feel the effects of divine truth. Pure religion cannot be recommended to any rightly disposed mind by a conformity to the customs of the fashionable world. On the contrary, the plainness of those who hold the truth is a powerful argument in its favor with every enlightened and honest seeker. Souls have been won to the present truth by it, who had become so disgusted with worldly conformity in professors of religion, that they could hardly have received the other evidences of the work of God, had this been wanting. Our land is full of Bibles; and even the wicked have sense enough to know that it is wrong for those who profess the Christian religion, to do as they do themselves. The article referred to draws the dividing line in the right place. At the very point where economy and utility end, extravagance and folly begin. The question is not, What degree of pride may a Christian innocently indulge in? ALL pride must be laid aside. The principle involved is the same, whether we expend, for pride, one cent, or one hundred dollars. The evil commences where the first cent is expended, or the first stitch taken beyond the demands of utility. It may be objected that this view of the matter is ultra. That it is avoiding one extreme by going into another. That we ought to take a medium between the two extremes. Do you mean to say that we should be half as proud as the proudest? Where then is the middle ground of which you speak? If it is not half way to the summit of fashion, will you be so good as to define the proper boundary, so that none may mistake it? The position which is here recommended is clearly definable. The first step beyond the useful transcends the limits. If this is not right, please define your position. There is one ornament which we all desire—the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Let us lay aside all pride and be diligent to obtain that ornament. But in regard to outward ornament, let us discard it wholly, not in part, and the Lord will bless us in so doing, his work will move forward, and we shall make advancement towards that high and holy position which the remnant must occupy, when they will have done with all pride, and become a peculiar people, zealous only of good works. This position we shall occupy before we are ready for the coming of Jesus. May the Lord help us to realize the importance of this and every other Christian grace, that we may be ready to stand with the Lamb upon mount Zion. R. F. COTTRELL.
Coughdenay, July 27th, 1855.