The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER.

From one of our correspondents, I. H. we have received a communication on the subject of conformity to the world among Christians, in the article of dress. We shall not deny the importance of the subject, nor condemn the sensibility expressed by the writer. But our views are not precisely his. It is not clear to us that Christians ought to distinguish themselves from the world by a homely or unfashionable garb—by the "cut of the coat," or "the brim of the hat;" but rather, by "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." We have no doubt that a "broken heart" may be found under gay clothing as often as under tattered garments; and that tears of penitential sorrow may moisten the bed of down, as frequently as the mat of straw. The want of modesty in apparel betrays a frivolous mind at the best, and is usually an indication of something worse.

The "of the fashion" is by no means the Christian's place; and we have trembled as much as our correspondent, when we have seen some of those professing "godliness," apparently more solicitous about the adorning of their persons, than the due regulation of their hearts.

Still, the dress of the Christian must be regulated by circumstances. He ought not to appear singular, lest he excite the disgust of those to whom he might otherwise be useful. He ought not to be gaudy, lest he offend his brethren, and cherish a vanity, equally inconsistent with good sense and piety.

We have seen, and we have been ready to weep at the sight—we have seen professing Christians evidently charmed by a feather, and dead to the glories of Heaven! We have seen them more earnestly employed at the toilette than in the closet—more anxious about the position of a curl, or the colour of a ribbon, than about the state of their hearts and their final destiny! We know not whether such professors most deserve contempt or condemnation; but in this we are confident, they will not escape the one from the world, nor the other from God.