But they occasioned parents to be more vigilant over their children in
this respect, and they taught the society to look upon dress, as a
subject connected with the christian religion, in any case, where it
could become injurious to the morality of the mind. In process of time
therefore as the fashions continued to spread, and the youth of the
society began to come under their dominion, the Quakers incorporated
dress among other subjects of their discipline. Hence no member, after
this period, could dress himself preposterously, or follow the fleeting
fashions of the world, without coming under the authority of friendly
and wholesome admonition. Hence an annual inquiry began to be made, if
parents brought up their children to dress consistently with their
christian profession. The society, however, recommended only simplicity
and plainness to be attended to on this occasion. They prescribed no
standard, no form, no colour, for the apparel of their members. They
acknowledged the two great objects of decency and comfort, and left
their members to clothe themselves consistently with these, as it was
agreeable to their convenience or their disposition.
A new aera commenced from this period. Persons already in the society,
continued of course in their ancient dresses: if others had come into it
by convincement, who had led gay lives, they laid aside their gaudy
garments, and took those that were more plain.
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