One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill and the barber replied, “I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.” The florist was pleased and left the shop. Then when the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a “thank you” card and a dozen roses waiting for him at the door to give to his wife. Later, a policeman came in for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill and the barber replied, “I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.” The policeman was happy and left the shop. Then when the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a “thank you” note and a dozen donuts waiting for him at the door for his children to enjoy. Later a Scotch man came in for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill and the barber replied, “I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service.” The Scotch man was thrilled and left the shop. Then when the barber went to open up his shop the next morning, there were a 12 Scotch men lined up for a free hair cut!
In England, when major court cases are tried, judges and lawyers are still required, by law, to wear those white wigs (judge’s wig costs about 3,000 pounds and lawyer’s wig costs around 500 pounds) not including the price of a short haircut so it fits on the head. But now all this is being challenged by English lawyers of African or Carribean background. They argue that the white wigs are culturally insensitive to blacks because of their colour (white) and their fit (forcing their dread-locks hair to be shorn). And Parliament is now debating whether to scrap the almost 400 year-old law.
All of which begs the question, Where did the wearing of wigs come from in the first place? And the answer is sin, plain and simple. Let me explain,
For most of the 1500s, long hair was the fashion style (with a thick, full flock desired). But then came syphilis, the sexually transmitted disease you get from committing fornication and/or adultery. And it was the worst epidemic in Europe since the Black Death, resulting in hospitals being clogged with syphilis patients. The treatment used was mercury (as an applied ointment, breathed-in vapour, bathed-in solution, internal douche, swallowed pill, etc.) But one of the biggest side-effects of mercury exposure was on the head. Suddenly bald patches began to appear until over time the scalp was completely bald. (Not the look you want when hair fashion was like biblical Absalom.)Now it’s one thing to be bald as an old man, but it’s quite another thing to be bald as a young man. It said morally, you had not been a good boy. And two of the worst playboys at the time were King Louis XIII of France and King Charles II of England.
So the idea of wearing wigs to cover up their sexual sinning came into being. Royal officials were turned into hair collectors (going out with money to pay men in prison and women in poverty for their locks – blonde got more than black and curls got more than straight). And royal wig-making suddenly became a new and lucrative trade. Now if kings started wearing wigs, then everyone else wanted to wear wigs, too (syphilis or no syphilis). This included the likes of Bunyan, Watts, Whitefield, Wesleys and King James, etc. (As a matter of face, the term “bigwig” came from the larger the wig you could afford, the more successful you were.)
But one day it was decided that mercury was not the best treatment for syphilis. And so – no mercury (no hair loss) and no hair loss (no need for wigs). However, the British liked the idea of wigs and their association with royalty, money and power. And so they continue there, at least for the time being.
The bottom line? I just wanted you to know that your pastor (and others in the church follically-challenged) got their bald heads the old-fashioned way, having kids.
HAIR HUMOUR
Life isn’t perfect, but your hair can be …
Great hair doesn’t happen by chance, but by appointment …
I have a new hair style, it’s called, “I tried” …
Not a hair dresser, but a hairapist …
Alexa, do my hair.
I Peter 3:3
Whose adorning, let it not be that out-ward adorning of plaiting the hair.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.