Declining Apparel
In memory of the great Baptist evangelist Vance Havner—since this sounds like something he would say—I observe on the careless attire of a good many churchgoers that they may like to sing about Jesus accepting them "Just As I Am" without thinking too much about being completely made over once accepted. For some bad reason during my youth, "Give of your best to the Master" ceased having anything to do with how one appeared before the altar of God. My guess is that all the informality was cooked up by members of the comfortable classes who wanted to impress by the appearance of holy poverty while knowing nothing of how actual poor people dress for church.
S. M. Hutchens is a Touchstone senior editor.
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