Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
CURIOUS CEREMONY
FOOT WASHING AS PRACTICED BY
THE PRIMITIVE BAPTIsTS.
In Backwoods Church in Northern
A1abama-An Impressive
Scene.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
Few religious ceremonies are more inter-
esting or more worthy of study in order to
comprehend the true symboical meaning
than that Of foot washing as practiced by
the Primitive Baptists in many parts Of
the south.
Firm in their belief that it was an estab-
lished ordinance of the early church; aus
tere in their discipline. and persistently en-
deavoring to continue the CUSTOM notwith-
standing the fact that it has decreased the
numerical strength of their organization,
these stern old brethren arrange an annual
gathering at a central meeting house in
each district and all the faithful attending
wash one another's feet. Although no dis
paragement or reflection is permitted, Wis
1tors are cordially welcomed to witness the
peculiar ceremony.
A recent occasion of this kind in north
ern Alabama attracted the writer with hun
dredS of other persons. Beneath the bluest
OF skies the Kaleidoscope effect was pleas
ing as we paused near the conveyance OF
several roads leading; into a grove where
nestled a weather-beater log church. On
lower rOadwayS and along the distant
mountain roads as far could see
groups OF people were leisurely approach
ing-whole families in wagons drawn by
mules, some on horseback, few in buggies
and many afoot. The dew yet glistened in
the sunlight of the beautiful Sabbath morn
ing and trees and blossoms were offering
the incense of their perfume to the passer-
by.
Pleasant greetings were exchanged as the
people arrived, many apparently not hav
ing seen each other since the previous year.
Horses were tied to the trees, women shook
the dust from their clothes and some who
had come barefooted over the stony roads
stepped aside in the underbrush to put on
their shoes and stockings.
The younger folks first gathered in
groups. The girls, in gorgeous calicoes and
ruffied Organdies, crowned by lower-be-
decked hats, joyously giggled at the boys,
who passed to them great gourds Of cold
water from the gurgiing spring which flows
from under huge bowider set off from one
OF the foothills Of the Cumberland range.
The women, in sober colors, dark dresses
half covered by Bingham aprons heavy
shoes and huge black calico sunbonnets.
proceeded at once to the sacred edifice amid
its leafy bowers of green GOODNESS.
The First Service.
No bell or clock announced the hour of
assembly, but by common impulse CONVEX
sation ceased and all in silence wendell their
way to the place of prayer. The rudely
framed benches on one side were occupied
by the mothers and children; the other
side were the men, and the middle block Of
the large. low-raftered room was pre-
empted by the young women and their
escorts. No sound but the droning of a
stray bee broke the stiffness until the lining
of a hymn by one of the several preachers
in the pulpit called the attention of the
audience In quavering, uncertain tones,
the leader drawing himself up by degrees
to standing position, began the strain of a
long meter. A tremulous soprano issued
from one of the long black bonnets, and a
stentorian bass caught up the last few
words of the verse Thus encouraged. the
whole congregation was soon engaged in
singing some of the grand old hymns of our
forefa Tiers.