The Definition of Covering

What then do I wear? The dress should be a covering with every movement. 

Shoes

“It is true that this style of dress exposes her feet [the reform or short dress] and why should she be ashamed of her well clad feet anymore than men are of theirs? It is no use for her to conceal the fact that she has feet. This was a settled fact long before the use of trailing skirts.” Health Reformer Page 42

Ankles

We cannot, if we would, conceal the fact that women have feet and limbs that were made for use. But in regard to the exposure, this is on the other side of the question. We have travelled extensively the past twenty-five years, and have been eyewitnesses to many indecent exposures of the limbs. But the most common exposure is seen upon the streets in light snow, or wet and mud. Both hands are required to elevate the dress, that it may clear the wet and filth. It is a common thing to see the dress raised one-half of a yard, exposing an almost unclad ankle to the sight of gentlemen, but no one seems to blush at this immodest exposure. No one’s sensitive modesty seems shocked for the reason that this is customary. It is fashion, and for this reason it is endured. No outcry of immodesty is heard, although it is so in the fullest sense. But does the popular style of woman’s dress always hide her feet from the public gaze? See that lady passing over the muddy street, holding her skirts nearly twice as far from the ground as ours, exposing, not only her feet, but her nearly-naked limbs. Similar exposures are frequent as she ascends and descends the stairs, as she is helped into, and out of carriages. These exposures are disagreeable, if not shameful; and a style of dress which makes their frequent occurrence almost certain, we must regard as a poor safeguard of modesty and virtue. But we did not design an exposure of this false modesty in relation to woman’s feet, but simply a defense of the style of dress which we regard, in every way, truly modest. {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 19}

Sandals

We agree that nakedness is between husband and wife only. Observe Solomon here speaking to his WIFE with exposed feet;

7:1 How beautiful are thy feet with SANDALS, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs [are] like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.

“which says Jesus wore shoes not sandals Matthew 3:11.

There are 31 verses on shoes and only 2 verse on sandals.”

“I felt that my flat sandals were just fine because I have seen Bible pictures of people wearing sandals. But according to Curtin University podiatry lecturer Cameron Kippen, in his research on the History of Footwear that dates back centuries, sandals are considered the sexiest footwear of all. They often have S&M overtones, as do shoes that have straps around the ankle. The shoe with the open toe is equated with the low cut neckline of the dress. Mr Kippen said: “Shoes are an extension of our personalities and although the subtleties of their origins may be lost to modern society their implications are ever present.”43 See newspaper insert on page 133.”

Another example is Ellen White… We imagine her wearing sandals?

Moses at the burning bush was directed to put off his sandals, for the ground whereon he stood was holy. So the priests were not to enter the sanctuary with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust cleaving to them would desecrate the holy place. They were to leave their shoes in the court before entering the sanctuary, and also to wash both their hands and their feet before ministering in the tabernacle or at the altar of burnt offering. Thus was constantly taught the lesson that all defilement must be put away from those who would approach into the presence of God. {PP 350.2}

Head Coverings and Long Hair

The Bible defines a principle in the light of Gods form of covering to do with holiness and the position of honour.

1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.
11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.

This covering of a woman is her hair and to do with the glory of Gods form of covering.

1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels.

Because of the woman’s position she ought to have power on her head because of the angels. It is a covering signifying that she is under the power of her husband because of the angels. How does this relate to angels? What do angels have to do with it? Because of Gods form of positioning and the creation he has created, the head of every man is Christ. Who is the head of Christ? The head of every man is Christ and the head of every woman is man.

The angels who are commissioned to do service for God are dependent on the sign to the people they are serving. The sign that this woman is submissive to Gods order is her long hair. When they see a woman with her hair as a covering, then they can see this is the power on her head. This is the indication that she recognises Gods form of government. We live in a time today when women don’t like that very much and the angels can’t work very well with that rebellious spirit. This kind of insubordination has to do with our dress. It reveals the characteristic of the women of modern society.

Limbs

Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
(hoh-zuhn): made from wool, cut on the bias, these close-fitting stockings were the base undergarment for most men. …
http://www.tudorshoppe.com/Merchant2/renaissance_costume_glossary.shtml

The limbs were not formed by our Creator to endure exposure, as was the face. The Lord provided the face with an immense circulation, because it must be exposed. He provided, also, large veins and nerves for the limbs and feet, to contain a large amount of the current of human life, that the limbs might be uniformly as warm as the body. Testimonies Vol 2 page 531,2.

There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs as she should. Women should clothe their limbs as thoroughly as do men. {Healthful Living 124.2}

Very specific were the directions given in regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolic. So the dress of Christ’s followers should be symbolic. In all things we are to be representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the word of God gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel merely for the sake of fashion, that we may appear like the world. Christians are not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive ornaments. {6T 96.2}

The limbs should be clothed with pants, always cut after an approved pattern, made tapering to meet the instep of the shoe. Custom and fashion will have their false standard of modesty, and will feign to blush and appear horrified to see women’s limbs sensibly and healthfully dressed. We wish to have a sensible reason, if it can be given, for this blind opposition to the reform dress. Sneers, ridicule, and contempt, with some may be such convincing arguments that after they have adopted the modest and healthful short dress, when they meet opposition in this form, will retire from the ranks of dress reform, and no more advocate it, or have the courage to wear the reform dress. Sneers should be taken by sensible health reformers, who move from principle, for what they are worth. Ridicule and contempt cannot make one hair white or black. We want reason and intellect to take the field, and the will to be subjected to the control of enlightened conscience. We design to be true to God and to the right. If there are sensible and strong reasons which can be produced against the reform dress, we have yet to meet them. We are open to conviction. Until we see better arguments than, “Oh! it looks so to see women with pants!” “What will people say!” “I would die before I would wear them!” we shall continue to wear the reform dress. {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 13}

There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs as she should. . . . Women should clothe their limbs as thoroughly as do men. {HL 124.2}

We inquire, Why should not women clothe their limbs as thoroughly as men do theirs? {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 11}