By María José Morán
Modesty continues to be a controversial topic. While, sure, it is not the most trivial of issues, it is one several people have mixed opinions about. Modesty controversies, however, have been present for a long time, at least within the Adventist Church.
If we go back to the 1800’s and analyze some of Ellen G. White’s writings, we see a strict and strong emphasis on modesty. More specifically, women’s modesty. Several of her writings, in fact, reflect that. In some cases, the examples mentioned are a response to church members’ letters, and some are just her interpretation of modesty according to the Bible.
As presented on the timeline, there are some very specific “requirements” such as the statement that anything above the knee is deemed too short, and the ideal length is around eight or ten inches above the floor.
Ellen White also presents strong resistance about what was commonly known as the “American Costume.” According to the Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection at the University of Missouri, the American Costume is part of the dress reform, which started in 1824. This movement was intended to empower women, to a certain extent, through their clothing. This is when a lot of clothing layers were removed for women’s comfort. As a consequence, women started to wear short dresses that eventually became widely accepted to what we know today.
In her writings, and throughout the years, Ellen G. White expresses her opposition to the shortened length of the skirt. On several occasions, such as in Testimonies for the CHurch in 1868, Ellen G. White emphasized the importance for the Adventist Church and for the Seventh-day Adventist woman to stand out from secular practices.
In some of her later writings, however, Ellen G. White expressed that no “sisters” were convicted of the Seventh-day Adventist dress reform. An example is shown in 1885 in Manuscript Releases vol. 5 she expresses that although this is not the tradition, it would “have proved a blessing.”
The interesting fact about this timeline is the mindset change seen throughout Ellen G. White’s writings. Although the writings are not necessarily drastic in nature, it reflects the eventual acceptance of a certain kind of dress. These writings have impacted the way in which we currently address the issue of modesty.
Quoted Works:
- Review and Herald, 1867
- Testimonies for the Church, 1868
- Manuscript Releases, 1885
- Letter to Brother J.H. Haughey, 1897
- Child Guidance, 1904