The House of Quiet

Hutt News, Volume XXI, Issue 50, 9 June 1948, Page 5

The House of Quiet

THE NEW LOOK (Contributed by the Hutt Valley Ministers’ Fraternal.) The fair sex are generally susceptible to fashion. Irrespective of the cost or obstacles in the way they inevitably become the willing subjects of the fashion kings. Their reaction to the “New Look” is no exception. At first the women rebelled, but are now gradually succumbing to the general trend. The “New Look” will soon be in the category of the “Old.” In America the men are also being drawn into the stream, and what with gold, bronze or Vermillion suitings the streets of American cities may soon be ablaze with colour. Wellington men, however, do not seem to be impressed. According to a recent press statement they are not rushing to their mercers for gold suede sports coats with slippers to match. They may be particular about their clothes. They want them, neat and correct but not 'gaudy. In other words, there is apparently no desire for vain display. Character and Dress

This all raises a very interesting question: Which is the more important—the clothes you wear or the kind of person you are? The old saying that clothes make the man is only relatively true. They may give a certain tone to appearance, but they do not make a man. A well-dressed dandy may be a renegade at heart —a worthless rake, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a viper in fancy dress. On the other hand, the man who never saw an expensive suit, whose whole life has been spent in rough, working dress, may be and probably is a man of the most noble order. Distinctive dress has its place. It is right and proper that one should appear in modest and becoming attire. Dress may even be an index to character, but it can never be substituted for character. It is a wise and timely word that appears in the grand Old Book: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of gold or apparel, but the hidden man of the heart.”

Bible and the “New Look”

The Bible goes to the heart of things. It shows man, not as he may appear before his neighbours, but as he appears before God. It does this irrespective of the dress in which he may be arrayed. It shows, too, what he may be through the transforming grace of God. The prophet, under the searchlight of God, beholds his own attire and in horror cries, “It is but as filthy rags.” But he does not stop there. Accepting the pardoning grace of God he goes on to say: “T will rejoice in the Lord, for He hath clothed me with the garments of Salvation. He hath covered me with the robe of Righteousness.” An example of this transformation is given in the story of Joshua the High Priest related by Zechariah. Joshua appeared before God clothed in filthy garments. But God speaks, and in obedience to the Divine command the filthy garments afe taken away. Joshua is assured of cleansing and pardon, and he is' clothed with a change of raiment. The New Testament prodigal is another instance of this change of dress. When he returns in penitence from the “far country” the first edict the father issues is: “Bring forth the ‘Best Robe’ and put it on him.” Thus he, too, experienced the disappearance of the “old” and the emergence of the “New.” Joshua and (.he prodigal were able to wear the “New Look” because first and foremost they were “New” men. The change had been inward first: they had become new creatures, and now in conformity with their change of heart they are arrayed in this change of apparel. The Garments of Salvation! The Robe of Righteousness! The Best Robe! These are the gifts of God to every soul that comes to Him through Jesus Christ. Christian and the New Look The Christian’s dress should always be distinctive. I do not mean the ordinary attire of frocks and suits, but the inner adorning of a changed character and the outer adorning of a changed behaviour. The disciples had the “New Look,” and the people took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Paul displays an attractive wardrobe for the Christian’s adornment, and he calls upon him to “clothe himself with that new and better self which has been created to resemble God in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Two items from that wardrobe could be noted. One is humility, the other love. These were the distinctive dress of our Lord and Master, and He declares them to be the hall-mark of true discipleship. A third item is mentioned in the description of the Church as the Bride of Christ: “To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. . . .” Humility: Love: Acts of Righteousness! Distinctive dress indeed! The “New Look” which will never grow old! By all means go in for the “New Look” —not merely the adornment of frills and furbelows, but that of a gracious character and a radiant life —spotless garments made white by the blood of Christ’s Cross, and kept white by the sanctifying influence of the indwelling Spirit of God.