St. Paul also and St. Peter had
both of them cautioned the women of their own times, to adorn themselves
in modest apparel, and not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array. And the former had spoken to both sexes indiscriminately
not to conform to the world, in which latter expression he evidently
included all those customs of the world, of whatsoever nature, that were
in any manner injurious to the morality of the minds of those who
followed them.
By the publication of these sentiments, George Fox shewed to the world,
that it was his opinion, that religion, though it prescribed no
particular form of apparel, was not indifferent as to the general
subject of dress. These sentiments became the sentiments of his
followers. But the society was coming fast into a new situation. When
the members of it first met in union, they consisted of grown up
persons; of such, as had had their minds spiritually exercised, and
their judgments convinced in religious matters; of such in fact as had
been Quakers in spirit, before they had become Quakers by name. All
admonitions therefore on the subject of dress were unnecessary for such
persons. But many of those, who had joined the society, had brought with
them children into it, and from the marriages of others, children were
daily springing up.
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