Newspaper Page Text
ttnto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. —Titus. Here, doubtless, all ordinances are
classed in good woiks. Hut to return to the two
‘points referred to by the Apostle in estabhsing
them in the churches of the Gentiles. And let it
be remembered that there is no account of their
introduction, but as God’s people were to walk in
good work*, and to be Zealous of them, we allow
that the Apostles, being God's ministers, sent forth
by file Iloly Ghost, introduced these things prop
trlv. Haul t'o the Corinthians, 1 Epistle, 11th
Chapter, and 2d verse, says, “Be ye followers of
rile, even as l also am of Christ. Now, I praise
you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things,
#nd keep the ordinances as I delivered them to
you.” The word ‘ordinances’ here, l understand to
allude to all tbe good woiks which the Lord had
ordained that his followers should walk in, and be
faalous of, aud does not allude, as some contend,
to baptism and the Lord’s Supper for in the
21st and 22d verses, same chapter, he says, “ Fo r
fu eating, every one taketh before another, his own
supper, and one is hungry, and another is drunk
-41. What! have you not houses to eat and drink
in ? or despise ye the church ot God, and shame
them that have not ? What shall I say to you? shall
I praise you in this ? I praise you not.” Now, it
ia certain, to my understanding that the Lord’s
Supper is not included ip tue ordinances referred to
in the 2d verse, that he praised them for keeping,
s be had delivered to them —for he says, emphat
ically, that he praised them not for the manner in
which they were partaking of it, and then explains
to them how he had delivered it to them. Then if
tfe© word ordinances , as I do, referred
to all good worsts ordaiued of God to be observed,
then we can believe that feet washing had been
taught them among other things. Paul, tfhen he
reh-rs to feet washing in his Epistle to Timothy,
doubtless referred to it as a good work which had
been fairly taught, and gives it as one of tbe evi
dences of the grace of God producing obedience.
In speaking of widows, indeed, which 1 understand
to mean those who have no trust or confidence in |
the lies!), desolate, but whose trust is in God,
gnd blameless in good works, he says, well report
ed of for good works. If she have brought up
children, if she have lodged straugers, if she have
washed the saints’ feet , if she ha/e-relieved the af
flicted, if she have diligently followed every good
work.
Now it is evident that feet washing was observ
ed as a Christian duty, which was doubtless the re*
*ult of apostolic teaching, whether we call it an
ordinance or a good work, and no account is given
wh* re it is riot lending, as well new as at the first. I
1 do not remember where any good work or ordi
nance, in-tit tiled by our Lord, to-be observed by
his dhoiple*, has ltoen abrogated, or repealed.—
gay* someone, “ I be! t ve f et washing a duty, and
I wool 1 lke to do it, lost lam at a io.-s to know
when it ought to hi done,” ineii l would sav. |
Come as nigh doing it in like manner, as the L ml j
institut'd it, a* you can. \/hen you rise irom j
Fupper. lav ashia your garment, tak- h towel an li
gird yourself, pour water m a basin, and wushj
SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER.
your brother’s feet; remembering that though you
perform this duty literally, the commandment is
spiritual, and the reward is spiritual, hence wor
ship God in spirit, do all to the glory of God,
knowing that all he has told you to do, is for his
glory, and your good. Do it in the same spirit
that you received baptism, or partake of the Lord’s
Supper ; that is, that God’s name may l>eglorified
in your body and spirit, which are his.
Brethren Editors, if this will not crowd out
more important matter,- let it have a place in the
Messenger, and oblige,
Yours to seive, &c.,
JAMES J. DAVIS.
Campbell Cos., G*., March 5, 1 BGO.
Brethren Editors —Will brother James P.
Ellis be so good as io publish, for me, some pleach
ing appointments of nine days’ tour, commencing
at Antioch, Stewart county, on the I7ih of April,
(Tuesday,) and day by day, so as to land me at
Walnut Grove, Randolph county, on Wednesday,
the 25th, and oblige, your loving brother in tribu
lation ?
ABNER BELCHER.
N. B. —I wish every day’s appointment to be at
a church in the upper boundaries of the Harmony
Association, as I war.t to know the health of the
churches, and flatter myself that I shall have the
company of brother James F. Ellis, with as many
of my preaching brethren as can break Csesar’s
chain.
Brother Beebe, please publish the above in the
Messenger, and oblige, A. B.
From the Signs of the livies.
Big Woods, La., Jan. 27, 1800.
Brother Beebe : —After finishing the business
part of my letter, I hope it will not bw out of place
to say a few words to the saints that are scattered
abroad. We are informed in the Scriptures that
in oldeu times they that feared the Lord, spake of
ten oue to another. I believe that it is still the
desire of his children, even in this age of the
world, to speak to one another, to talk of the good
ness of their Heavenly Father, the manifestations
of Lb loving kindness, the wonders of his grace,
tbe glories of that kingdom that shall be possessed
by the saints of the Mw*t High God forever and
ever. By nature, however, they are children of
wrath, even as others, and continue in the lovt
stnd practice of sin, till God, who commanded light
Uj shine out of darkness,shines in their hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ, then it is that
they have a discovery of self, of the exceeding
jsiufultiLss of sin, of their in! nd corruptions, as
well as their entire dependence upon God lor J.fe
and salvation ; as well as all the accompanying
blessings {hat fl >w from the same, fuuntian ; for
in him are hid all the treasures of wiMiom aim
knowledge. I’ t*v look to Jesus as the anthot and
P
finisher of their fai.h ; the sun of nghtemi h<s>
arises with healing in Ids wmg-u By loth they
view Clirbt ;-s their Iboplic’, lVe*4 an * Nmg—
Timm rh hia blood thev have redemption and li e
O 4
forgiveness of sms, according to the riches of his
grace; his blood cleanseth us from all sin'. There
is but one fountain that can wash the sinner’s guilt
away. \Ve might dwell upon ■ihe riches of bis
grace ; how all abounding is that grace to all the
heirs of promise; it takes their feet from the mire
and clay, and sets them upon the rock of eternal
ages, the sure foundation, the tried stone j where
sin hath abounded, grace did much more abound.
Yes, grace abounds, not only in the triumphs at
all tile children of God, in tin's world, over the ad
versary of sou Is, and the enemy of God, but it
shall abound in their everlasting triumph through
Jesus Christ our S vior. Through grace abound
ing, lin y are made partakers of the Inheritance of
the saints in light; that Inheritance, we are infoiit>-
ed, is incorruptible and undefiled, and fadeth not
away. The heirship of the saints is established it
eve) lasting covenant; that covenant is ordered and
sure in all things, not couditiouaj nor d-p endeufc
upon contingencies, as the Artnihian would have it;
for the Lord says, I will put my laws into In til
mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will
put my laws into tl eir miud, arid write them
their hearts ; and l will be to them a God, athey
shall be to me a people. Tuen let the weary trav
eler look to Jesus, in whose hands is all power ifc
heaven and earth ; who verily was foreordained be
fore the foundation of the world, to give eternal
life to as rnanv as the Father had given him. Th*
life of the Church or body of Christ is but on
life, called divine or eternal life; that life has eve*
dwelt in Christ, who is the head of the body, and
i& given to the chuvclt-bv virtue of her utwn to Chri&t*
her head. For ve are dead and ybur fife is bid with
* V •
Christ in God, and whn he who is out life shall appear
then ye shall appear with him in glory. Then was
shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect ? Iti
God that justifieth ; surely there is none to con
demn. But our Savior has said, “In the world y#
shall have tribulation ; but in me ye shall haf*
peace.” It is through much tribulation they must
enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The saints of God
have to pass through many sorrows, tempta
tions and afti ctions, but they shall be brought
through more than conquerors in the end. ‘‘When
thou passest through the waters I will be with
time ; arc! through the rivers, they shall riot over
flow’ thee ; when thou walkest .through the fit e, thou
shah not be burned, neither shall the flame kmdk
upon thee. Let. the saints of God take courage,
•'seeing that they have these exceeding'great arid
precious promises. May the Lord k* ep us humbV.
and cause his children to reahz* from day to car,
that they are living upon his bounty.
Brother Beebe, do with this as you think Lest?—
a : i will be r>gbt.
Y urs, in hone of eternal life through Jems
Christ our Lord,
\\r yt V) vnv• -y n
* . NT. i Luii i\ o.
“ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable‘for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for ins ruotlua in righteousness. That the man of’
God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished. unto all
good works."—fi. Tim. nil IG, 17.
43