Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-07-20
/ Religious Hurricane.

BLACK PERSONA D9fDNr1c Dance.
For the Fayetteville Observer
NASHVILLE, July IL, 1871.
Editor Obserper-I am Just
home from a jaunt to Maury
county, where there is a congrega.
lion OF the faithful known as New
Prospect. 1t is made up of col
pred christians of the vicinity,
who have organized, as their
preacher IAN educated negro) says,
Gas a spiritual force militant to re.
sist the devil and all his works in
this portion of Tennessee where
sin has always abounded." They
mean business, and are determined,
as they constantly sing,
ITO die in the service ob de Lord. Lord. Lord;
To die in do service OBJ de Lord"
THE CAUSE OF THE EXCITEMENT.
A few weeks ago this commune
ty became greatly excited upon the
Iscriptural rite or commandment
| of foot.washing. Their beloved
pastor had issued an edict that
the members OF the society should
| all be ready on the second follow
ing Sunday to carry out :he re.
ceipt of their Divine Master and
wash one snother's feet. An en-.
ergetic minority of the congrega-
ton vehemently opposed such a
proceeding; but a majority went
with the pastor. The minority
pushed their views with such force
and pertinacity thatthe whole COM
munity soon became divided into
toot-washers and anti.foot-washers.
The foot-wsshers were led by the
pastor; the anti-foot-wa were
headed by "a white brother with
large feet and long heels. The
discussion finally became SO fierce
that it was agreed the two parties
should meet Saturday, and have it
out in public, and settle whether
the footwashing should or should
not come off the next day.
CRUSHING TIE ANTI FOoT.wASHERS.
At the appointed time a large
concourse assembled in the meet
ing house. The white anti,foot-
washer led off by saying that
there was 10 authority in the BIZ
bic for any such rite as foot-wash-
ing. In reply to this the pastor
turned to the thirteenth chapter
of John, and read the first seven
teen verses, wherein is described
the memorable scene of the Saw
Jour waShingthe disciples feet, and
in which the Lord says: elf |
then, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet, We ought also
to wash one another's feet; for
have given you an example, that We
should do as / have done to you"
This was a crusher on the white
brother. It stunned him, and
caused all bis followers at once to
come over to the side of the foot
washers. But the white brother
finally rallied and said it was well
known that the scriptures had
been manipulated, and changed
and altered by interruptions per-
sons, until it was difficult to tell
what was scripture and what was
not.
ANOTHER CRUsHER.
"Why," said be, "don't you
know, my friends, that the Bible
Society, and all the christians all
over the world are calling for a
new and corrected translation of
the biblei That shows it is.-
That shows the bible has been
tempered with, and that about
foot-weshing has been stuck in by
some designing person. When
we get new and corrected version
that will oil have to come out! I"
This statement rather staggered
the ioot-washers, but the black
pastors common sense was equal
to the occasion. Holding up the
bible, he said to his white oppo-
nent:
"See here, my brother, do you
believe in this book7"
A dead silence fell upon the ex-
cited multitude, and all eagerly
awaited the white brothers reply.
The white brother evidently didn't
zee his way clear, and hesitated
and looked uneasy. The pastor
perceived his advantage, and still
holding the bible sloft, asked in
resounding tones:
"My brother, do you believe in
this blessed book 7"
The white brother, being thus
hard pressed, coughed, blew his
nose and finally said:
81 believe in all that is correct
in tina. book--in all that has not
been altered or tempered with"
"Can you tell me which parts
have been altered or tempered
within asked the colored pestor.