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None can deny thin being done and commanded •f the Savior to iris Apostles. How tlren could they teach baptized believers to observe all things mriita?.oever ‘Olmstlmd commanded tlrem, if they <iid not, teach them to observe washing one anoth er’s feet as Cluist had done to them ? If Christ had washed their feet literally and commanded’ them to do the same, and then commanded them to teach Christians to observe a*l things whatsoever he had commanded them, could they carry out that command without teaching feet washing?— But we are told that there is no mention made of it as heing p-noticed by the churches only whew Paul mentions it in l Tim. v. 10. Even this case shows that it was a practice to “wash {he saints’ feet,” and well understood 4*y them. Had it not been a practice well iknown, and well •a-cdetstood, what could Timothy have learned by this hare mention of it ? “If she have lodged si rangers, if she have washed the saints'’ feet.” We see that wash ing the saints’ feet is mentioned by Paul in distiwc tion from the act of hospitality in lodging stran gers. While we should not be forgetful to enter tain strangers, whether sasnts or sinners, the wash ing one another’s feet is confined to the saints. It washing feet is simply an act of hospitality for the comfort of travelers, then we should wash sinners feet also, for we are .to do good unto all men as we have opportunity, but especially unto the house hold of faith. I cannot view that though John wrote after the other Apostles were deed, that the g >spel church was compelled in all the doctrine and order of the gospel without his gospel, the three Epistles he wrote and the. Revelations. 1 give as lull credit to what he wrote at that late date, as though the oth er Apostles had mentioned the same things in ev ery Epistle they wrote. But we a*e asked why Paul did not say something about feet washing when he spoke of the supper in 1 Cor. xi. It will be observed that Paul was endeavoring to reform an abuse in reference to the communion thahad obtained among the churches. When they came together “ ooe was hungry and another was drun ken.” This was eating and drinking for “self gratification,” not discerning the Lord’s body.— He explains the true nature of it to them. But in reference to feet washing, he simply mentions it as a matter well understood, and which perhaps had ot been neglected or abused, and therefore needed no further mention from him. The lull mention of it was reserved for the Apostle J>>hn to leave oi record. What the Apostles taught tb churches: by word, even before John wiote, was as binding on them as what they had left on record. Ilenc , Paul ad monishes them by letter “To stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been tang it whether hi/ word or our epistle .” 2 Thess. ii. 15. Ileie, it seems to me, is “conclusive evidence” thai before John wrote in reference to feet washing the other Apostles had established somethings by word that weie not in their Episiles to the churches, and if J ini cid not after that time mention those things in his writings, then, we cannot know anything about what things they were taught “by word.” Paul also commands his brethren in tlte name of southern baptist messenger. the Lord Jesus to withdraw from every brother that walked disorderly and not aftertne traditions which he received of us.” 2 Thess. iii. 6. [i mat tered not whether this tradition was received orally by word or by their .letters, it was -disorderly to walk contrary to it. Having now in some degree, relieved rev mind. I will draw to a close. I have uot written for the sake of contention or strife. Those who cannot agree with vno -on the sulgect certainly have the right to disagree. lam not disposed to judge >or set my brother at naught, “ To his own Master he standeth or faUeth.” I do not know that I'shall ever again Teel inclined to write upon this subject. It any tiring is discovered by any brother in wbatl have wiitten that is contrary to the Scriptures, or •contrary to the -letter or Spirit of the gospel of Christ, 4 shall esteem it as a gteat kindness for such brother to point it out to me. You need not he afraid of wounding me hv trying in a Scriptu ral wav to-correct my e*rors. Those who will take this liberty f este* m as my best friends, and true friends of the cause of Cod. Willi unabating love. fur the cause of truth and for aM who love our L *rd Jesus in sincerity, 1 remain your Brother in the bonds and afflic tions of the Gospel, W. M. MITCHELL. Morgan Cos., Ga., Dear Brethren Editors —Since the l'4ih No. of the current volume of the Messenger lias come Jo hand, I have read the of mv dea; broth •> er West on the subject of Fasting, tny mind has been occasionally exercised on the same sul j.-ct, but fear lest feelings should be excited, has hin dered me hitherto from saying anything further on this subject J bat as fear should not dtter from a faithful discharge of duty, [ fee I disposed to ri>k a few thoughts in reply to brother West. Arid in the first place I would say to him that I am well pleased at the brotheily manner in which he gives his opinion, and that it was his undoubted privi lege to give his views. And I hope to so order my expressions that neither he nor any other of God’s dear children will be hurt with my remarks, though they may differ with me in opinion. We are not only admonished to “ follow after the things that make for peace,” but also “the things wherewith one may edify another.” Brother West says “ I have concluded that it (that is Fasting.) whs a ceremony under the law, and never was en joined on the Gen ile church so as to be b riding on it, and that after the death and resurrection of Christ they no doubt attended to it as a legal eere monv, for we read th*t they were ailcealous of the law.” Acts xxi. 20. And then refers for further proof to the reply of the Apostles and Eiders at Je rusalem to the Gentile churches who had been taught that “ixcept they be circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved,” in which tiny said nothing about fasting. Now if this re ply proves anything in relation to fasting, it really seems to prove it to be a religious duty acktiowl edged both by Jews and Gentiles, and therefore, no necessity to say any thing about it, this was not the question, nor any part of it, neither could it be f as Christ had before settled it in the established order of his kingdom, for He bad told them that the lime should come when they should fast, tfnd directed them particularly how they should do, acd how they should not do when they fasted. Matt, vi. 17, 18—ix. 15, and surely if their fasting was o be observed as a law requisition, the time for it was then present, or he erjjoined on his disciples the yoke of the law from which all the subjects of hisk’ngdom are made free, consequently no other just conclusion can be -drawn, only that it is to b# observed as the will of him whose right it is to give laws to his spiritual subjects. Again, if the reply referred to embraced (as it seems to doj'all that the believing Jews required of the believing Gentiles, which had been observed as a law requisi tion, and as fisting was practiced amongst the Gentiles, as is evident from the reading of the 14th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, it appears evi dent that both esteemed it as the order of tbeir di vine Lord and Master. Again, if the disciples fast ed as a law requisition or legal ceremony; wbex Barnabas and Saul were set apart to the woik to which the Holy Ghost called them, and when the same Barnabas and S >ul ordained elders in every church (even ol the Gentiles.) with fasting and prayer. Acts xiii. 14. Where is precept or ex ample for such p-actiee found in the law ? If Elders were ordained under the law with fasting and prayer where is it found! Where is fasting and prayer er joined by the law as spoken of by Paul to the Corinthians ? I Cor. vii. 5. Paul to lhe< hureh at Phillippi, iii. 17, says, “ Brethren be ye followers together of me, and mark them that walk so as you have us for an example.” Now if the Apostles are not, to be followed in all they done religiously, we are utterly at a loss in what to follow them , and in what not; and it is high time that a Scripture standard was reared lest we miss our way, or if it be set up and we have not been enabled to see it plainly that we be more perfectly instructed in the way of the Lord. 1 now stop on the subject of Pasting for the pres ent, having in some degree relieved my mind, though I have only said but little of the abundance that might be said on this important subject. I am aware that many dear brethren besides those who have written on the subject, differ with me, but I fell it my privilege to give my views. If I am wrong, [ hope the Lord may enable me to see my error. lam conscious I have written nothing with design to give off-nee to any, hut hope I onlv labor to pruino e tiie cause of truth in honor to the cause of God. Before closing, as many dear brethren have given their views through the Messenger differing from the uniform practice of all the churches of the old order of Btpusis of the south on the subject of Feel Wa-hing, I j ist say that both churches and ministers are united, and are universably practicing it, and would as soon give up the practice of the L nd’s Supper or Baptism as Feet Washing.— Viewing it as plainly commanded as they are, therefore it is vain t-r any to think of moving them from their position by any thing that they might 53