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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