The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-04
Snndap 82eadira
FEET WASHING.
PEPLY TO PHILIP 40. FOUR

4
many bold assertions without proof in
his last article that we must conclude
that be is wounded
! will first give some attention TO some
of bis bold assertions:
l. He says il has not been his iuten-
ton TO prove anything, pro or con. r-la
tive to feet washing. Strange, indeed
that he would propose 10 write series
of articles and have them published in a
newspaper, especially OH controverted
theological subject, without intending
to prove something. If lie does not
want to prove anything, why appeal to
the Book? / cannot Think ''P." can
make our readers believe this assertion.
2. He charges Inc with braging or hav-
ing written in windy bragadocia style.
l will leave our readers to Judge as to
the style of my writing. l wonder if
| my friend remembers who it was that
went to one of his near neighbors and
called their attention to an article writ
ten by some one over the signature of
''Philip," under the caption of ''Feet
Washing" and spoke of it as an liable
| production? Was there anything in this
which has the appearance of braga-
| docia style?
3. He continues to assert that feet
washing existed as a custom from Abra-
ham to Christ. That it was and still is.
custom for individuals to wash their
own feet, have never denyed, but do
most positively deny that it has ever
been the custom (habitual practice) for
the host or their servants to wash the
feet of their guests. Jesus did not wash
his disciples feet in conformity with an
Old Jewish custom. | want this dis
tinctly understood. When we see the
proof that Christ did wash their feet
merely as custom and family Gus
tom, we will yield the point, but we
must have something more than asser-
tions, or we shall continue to deny it
even in the face of cps" Dare you
deny it?
4. l am sorry to hear p. assert what
he and all others who are acquainted
with the matter knows to be incorrect,
that is, that our practice of washing the
Saints feet as a church ordinance insti-
tuted by the Saviour, will not stand the
light of Gospel truth. He knows very
well that we boldly preach and practice
it wherever Churches of God are found.
No one but himself could ever think
that | had attempted to hide anything
touching our faith and practice during
this discussion. As he has taken the
lead in the discussion of this question,
him and reply. | ain fully persuaded
that he has not pursued the same course
he would have done if no one had made
reply. l am aware there is a distinc-
ton made by theological writer's of the
highest authority between positive and
moral duties. In moral duties we can
see the reason why they are commanded,
because they are suited to our nature,
and to the relations which we sustain to
the Author of our being and to others
around us. Positive duties rest upon
the express will of the law giver We
are not able to observe the reason of
their performance previous to their en-
actment. We now propose TO give the
essential elements of a divine monu-
mental institution. Their essential ele-
ments are:
1. Divine institution, i. e. law re
quiring a certain thing to be done, and
thus making it obligatory upon us.
q Have recognized subjects
3. Have corporal elements, that is,
something material, the presence of
which is necessary in order that the
command be obeyed-thus, water, bread,
wine, etc.
4. Formal observance law requir-
ing not a moral act, which has many
forms, but one which requires particu-
lar act to be performed and not a moral.
5. Have a design, j. e. it must repre-
sent something.
6. 1t must be performed, not for its
own sake, but for the sake OF that which
it represents.
z. Perpetuity and univerSality-so as
to extend it universally in time and place
in the church. That the ordinance of
washing the Saints feet has in it the
essential elements of di vine and mon
umentaI institution, can be clearly dem
onstrated.
Now, as p. admits that he is always
ready to practice what Jesus commands,
and to wash the Disciples feet as He cid
it, but thinks it should be practised in
private and, not in the public as
sembly, we will wait and see whether he
can prove his position. We practice
feet washing not to cleanse the feet of
filth, but because Jesus has given us the
example and command to do it. Does
''P" meet with the disciples in public
assembly shortly after they have eaten
hearty meal at home, and administer
to them the bread and wine when they
are not hungry? If so, is he not about
as inconsistent as those who wash the
disciples feet when they may have
washed them before coming to the
House of Godl Was not the Lords
Supper instituted in just as private
manner as feet washing!
Respectfully, SINCERITY.
JOHN SUNDAY, an old Indian Chief,
and we'll known Methodist missionary
among his own people, has just died, at
the age of eighty years. He began his
missionary work over forty years ago
During twenty-five of these years he
labored among his own tribe-the Ojib-
ways. He once visited Great Britain in
| the interest of Methodist missions in
Canada, where he attracted considerable
attention, and was presented TO the
Queen.
A METHODIST minister of the Church
South recently visited the Hon. 4. II.
| Stephens at his home in Charlottesville,
Ga. He found him reading Sunday
School book and perfectly resigned, and
| ouiaf1v awaifinu his ond Thouob po+ a