LECTURE ON DRESS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 17, 26 October 1871, Page 3

LECTURE ON DRESS.

The third of a series of Wednesday evening lectures was delivered by the Rev. J. Buller in the Wesleyan Church, Grahamstown last evening. There was a very good attendance. The rqv. lecturer said he proposed to lecture upon “Dress” from a Christian standpoint. He was not going to enter into an exposition of the mysteries of the toilet or to invade the province of the milliner or tailor, but to review the subject in its religious light. A -man’s religious character was not to be judged by the cut of his coat, and there might be as much vanity under the plain garments of the Quaker as under the most fashionable attire. Comparisons had been made between the early and modern Methodists in this respect to the disadvantage of the latter, but they must take into consideration the alteration of circumstances. A rational conformity to prevailing custom was quite a different thing from an excessive indulgence in matter of dress. John Wesley spoke to his congregation in ■very plain and strong terms in reference to dress, and if we follow the stream of Christian history, we shall find the ancient fathers -and modern divines aiike condemning fashion as Wesley did, who said fashion' was the tyrant of fools, and advised his flock not to wear garments of gaudy colours, or made in tke height of fashion. The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Christian ladies-of Corinth, warned them against golden ornaments and costly attire, and St. Peter and others spoke to the same effect; but in respect of dress, time and place and circumstances must be taken into consideration, for singularity in dress was as much to be avoided as its opposite extremes. For a lady to wear simple and modest apparel was always in good taste, and was in conformity with the teaching of the Bible. The motive of every action was the great moral quality by which it should be judged, and a dress indicative of good taste, and a meek and quiet spirit, was most suitable to every religious and sensible person, whether man or man. Yanity -was at the root of fashion, which, unfortunately, was often exercised at the expense of health.. light lacing was productive of deformity, and often of premature death, and the ridiculously small bonnets worn by ladies often brought on neuralgia and induced sunstroke. The ugly things called “chignons ” might be some protection to; the head of the wearer, but if the ladies knew where the material came from, they would perhaps not be quite so fond of this species of adornment. High-heeled boots also were productive of lameness and discomfort, and whenever lie saw them worn he felt as if he would like to have a knife to cut them down with. He thought that a corset-maker and a coffin-maker should be married. (Laughter). A simple yet elegant attire was as often seen in a cottage as in the mansion, and it was a high compliment that was once passed upon a lady, that she was so well dressed that it could not be recollected what she wore. A vulgar display was always in bad taste, and a sensible and religious man or woman will always avoid it, and dress well, but simply, and let the sweetness of the mind pervade the person, the -clothing, and the habitation. It was said by Ruskin that whilst there were such things as poverty and nakedness in the land, splendour in dress was a crime. A person’s means and his rank and station must be taken into consideration, as well as his age. Extravagance was always to be avoided, and no Christian man or woman would dress at the expense of the tailor and milliner, and leave their bills unpaid. All who venerated the name of Wesley would do well to follow him in matters of dress, for it was said of him that he was always elegantly attired, yet in the most simple and least ostentatious manner. _ The rev. gentleman concluded a very interesting and instructive lecture by stating that on ..Wednesday next lie purposed to lecture ['on the very important aud interesting subject of “ Marriage.”