The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-04-23
Written for the JeGerSOnian.
GFeet Washing.n

Inasnuch as there are persons more
or less numerous III nearly all the re
ligious parties or denominations who
regard ''feet washing" as very import
ant Christian duty, and as some have
gone so far as to elevate it to the dignity
of divine ordinance, thus placing on
an equality with Baptism and the LORDS
Supper | have concluded to write
series Of articles for your readers, in
which propose to examine the subject
thoroughly and impartially. In this IN
vestigation the Scriptures will be the
standard to which shall appeal and by
which every issue must be determined.
And trust your readers will go with me
into this examination, free from all bias,
prejudice, and everything else that may
hinder an honest conclusion from the
premises. With these preliminaries
invite the attention of your readers to
the practice of washing the feet in Pa
triarchal times.
Washing the feet is undoubtedly a very
oldest forms Of oblation known among
men. The presumption is that washing
| the feet and hands, and perhaps the face,
were among the first things praetieed by
| the human race. There was a necessity
| for this. There was a time when the
feet, in all probability, had not protec-
ton; not even the sandals, which were
/ invented and introduced at n very early
period in the worlds history. And then
| both for cleanliness and comfort they
required daily washing. This remark
will also apply to the feet which were
constantly liable to be sOiled by daily
| use. After the invention and introduc-
| ton of sandals, they were not suited to
secure the feet and ankles from dirt.
Hence washing the feet on entering a
house was an act both of respect 10 the
company and Of refreshment to the trav-
| eler.
In Genesis XVIII. ii, we read Of the
Lords appearing toAbraham in the dusty
plains Of Mamre as he sat in his tent door
in the heat of the day. He looked, and
three men stood by him. He ran to
meet them from the tent door, and
bowed himself toward the ground
Abraham was a grand and noble servant
Of God, and mot forgetfnl to entertain
etrons.r-1' p a. Paul teaches ~ nov And
he said, my Lord, If now ! have found
favor in thy sight, pass not away, pray
thee. from thy servant" ''Let a little
water, pray you, be fetched, and wash
gotr feet and rest yourselves under the
tree" These were angelic visitors, and
il NAV be that Paul alludes to this case
when he speaks Of entertaining angels
unawares."
We are not informed whether Abra-
ham himself, or one Of bis servants,
washed their feet; or whether they
wa he'd their own feet. But the prOba-
bIlity is from the known character Of
Abraham that he performed this act Of
hospitality and alTee;ionate regard. At
/ first. it IS presumed, he did not know his
guests were angels, and hence the whole
transaction presents a life-like picture Of
that hospitality to strangers, for which
nowned. Washing the feet was a part
Of the eHteTtGjnBteHt, and ia this ease it
is probable that Abraham washed the
Ieet Of angels. In chapter 18th we learn
that two Of these angels visited Sodom,
and Lot, like his noble Old uncle Abra
ham, urges them TO come III and tarry all
night, and wash their feet.
When Abraham sent his servant to look
out a wife for Isaac, Laban ran out to
meet him, gave him hearty welcome,
and water TO wash his feet, and the
mems feet that were with him. See
Genesis XIV. 81 %, and XxxIv- q
1t will be observed from what we have
seen. that feet-washing was not a reliJ-
ious yraetjce. Not one 80 regarded it.
Washing the hands arose 70 the dignity
OF a ritual observance, and the Pharisees
laid down special rules as to the times
I anu ulD4fo VI AtN penn AAA-AAANNs 4S-S -~~N
washing did not rise to the dignity Of a
ritual observance, this departure from
its original design being introduced in
modern tlmes. It held a high place
among the acts Of hospitality. IL was
purely an act Of hospitality, praetieed,
perhaps, by all, and having no religious
Specification whatever, beyond it, being
a good work. Such a token OF hospital
ity is still praetieed in oriental countries
1t is important to remember this fact
as it viii have a bearing in the final
summing up OF the argument In my
next / will see what is said about feet
washing in Jewish times
Respectfully, &c,
PHILIP.
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