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lions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy,
strife, railings, evil suriaisings*-” I fully agree with
your editorial expressions, on the sulj-ct of feet-
The New Testament is dear on this
point; truly it set ms so to we,- for we have the
testimony of oec of the Inspired Apostles or
Princes that Row rules in judgment, gven after
the’ cLuicb was established m her gospel organi
zation, and we have the language and example of
the Ku g that now reigns in righteousness. Both
slowing clearly to my mind that saints ought lit
erally to wash one another’s feet, and that they
were requiie-d and expected to wash one another’s
feet, and did attend to it, unless we take the tftr
reasouable ground that Paul r quired more good
W’utks to be performed by widows that were above
three score years o*d, than be did of other saints.
As to the times and places when the saints should
attend to it, i> seems to me immaterial, if be
fore, or after the communion, or at any meeting
where the brethren and sisters are togethe , and
attend to this self-denying nd pflde mortifying
duty, according to the example of their Lord and
Master, it would be to their happiness, Rfid to His
gloiy. I leave this subject, greatly desiring that
any of the brethren may corresl me, if 1 am
wrong in my conclusions, and also desiring that
peace and biolherly Icve may continue and abound
in the chinch of the living God. I cannot close
this scribble, without giving my hearty approba
tion to the excellent communication of my belov
ed brother, W. M. Mitchell, appearing in the Mes
senger, March 15th, on the text, ‘*Do not ®rr, ray
beloved brethren,” and also your editorial in the
tame Ho., on Jer. iv. 7. These aie sorely suffi
cient to settle the minds of those who have not
heretofore been settled, and fully established iu
the doctrine ot God’s predestination, and absolute
•oveieignty over all Mattie Gqd all.
grace direct his poor and ammlea people in the
way of all truth, that each may esteem other bet
ter than himself, ‘nd progress in humility, to the
edification of the whole church, and to the glory
of his great and holy name, is the earnest desiiv
of your unworthy brother in Christ.
D. W. PATMAN.
Brick Store Ga , April 19. 1860.
Brethren Editors :—lf apoligies were of any
ose, I think that I am due several, but I do not
at this time think them necessary, for I have so
often hinted at, and spoke of the irnperfidious ol
this old man, that y* u have ho doubt come to the
conclusion that these things are so, and I hope
you will all have that sympathy for me, that the
ease will deserve, if you can. I know it is out of
my power for me to older my course, or direct
ray steps, and were it not for an overruling power,
I feel assured that it would not be as well as it is
Wth us. The heart is desperately wicked and de
ceitful above all things, and who can know it, it is
not subject to God’s law, neither iudeed can it be,
until it is the pleasure of God to so work in an
individual as to kill him or her to the love of sin,
and give them a sense of their awfal situation as
SOUTHERN R A EXIST MESSENGER.
a sinner, and manifest his love and mercy to the
vessels of mercy, even after a man or woman has
beeif shown the corruption of the human heart, it
is at enmity with God, and will not be subservient
to his will any farther than it iu his will to ahow
them. But this wicked nature we derive from the
first man Adam, tur raithly progentor. Our
names may not be given us Adam, but we sprang
lYoitt the descendants of Adam. We have parta
ken of his earthly sinful nature, and we are not
able in odtselVes considered to extricate ourselves
from thifi deplofable condition. This is only the
woik of Grd that work's itr his subjects to Will and
to do of bis good pleasure, be hath fto re
spect of persons, that it is bis will to call, justify,
glorify, and save with an everlasting salvation. —
So you see the idea of salvation implies fh*y were
lrst lost, by sin and wicked works, before thev
are in a condition to be saved ;• and ibe best of it
is, the one that has Rif pt Wer, woiks d-flyrent
troin man whose breath is in hi.- nostrils. H.* can
take the king on bis throne, and make him how
with reverential awe, and the brggai from his tat
tered garments, and hungry natural positron, and
give him spiritual food, that will be fw him a well
of living water; and the Ethiopian, and make
him equal in grace, and glorify his love and mer
cy, aud place him on an equality with the earthly
King. So far as his will and pleasure is concern
ed, he will do all bis pleasure, and none need ques
ion his acts to the children of men, he is a God of
purpose, despite all our efforts, and he will in his
own way and manner nhßuifest his love and mercy,
and we should be glad it is so.’ It is well enough
that we cannot have our own way, for then we
would be surely astray. But we pass to consider,
Paul to the Homan’s has said, “ O wretched man
that l am I who shall deliver me froth the body of
’ this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our
Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the
law of God ; but with the flesh, the law of sin.”
We see that Paul had this warfare to contend
with, and lie felt that being left alone without anv
strength of his own, in a spiritual point of view
he could cry out, O wretched man that he wa> !
the question was very important that he asked,
but the answer is appropriate, I thank God, (not
enough to thank him alune, bu>) through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Could he have thanked God.
had he no evidence of his interest or identity in
y
him as Savior? So then, with the mind I my
self, serve the law of God, that is, I think the
mind of Christ in him, by his (Christ) II .ly spirit
He then says, but with the fl-sh. (or old man) the
ibe law of sin. lie could give a very cleat
and lucid illustration of the two natures, ol
he old man and bis deeds, and the new
man and the happy contrast between the
two. tne one earthly from below, the othei
heavenly from above. But the question may b
asked, could Paul always testify to these truth ?
We think his k.owle ge and his goodness and
tender mercies was far from him, before he was ar
. rested ia his mad career, and shown bi situation
ass sinner, and as soon as he was shown by an
eye of faith, what it was to know God, he could
with propiiety say, 0! wretched man ! taking a
view of bis life, and the manifest display of God’s
power. He had enough to make him exclaim,
wretched man ! He could exrlaimit then, and it
is so with all God’s children, taught by his
spirit. No wonder they exclaim* thi*
language, to think they have been so far from him
by sin and wicked woiks, now brought nigh by
his death, resurrection,,and- ascension upon high,
far above alii principality or power, life, or di atb,
or any other creature. Then ts we are his by re
generation- and adoption,, wa ctm well- enough
praise God for redeeming grace, and dying love.
.Tongue will fail* us to tell of his uncreated glory,
the fountain is inexhaustible, it is a well of living
waters, springing up unto eternal life. Then,bless
the Lord !Oh my soul! and forget not bis benefits.
I wish that I could w ite more to be understood,
but I will have to be content with the ability that
God hath given me, if indeed he hath given to*
any. I have one request to make of all G<>d\s chil
dren, that is for them to pray for me, that I be led
not temptation, and may J live in such a tnaa
ner, that I may not wound, the cause, or bring re
proach upon bis holy name. May I not be led i
forbidden paths,, but tway I be kept by his power,
now and evermore.
Yours- to serve in troth,
I>. F. P. MONTGOMERY.
Montgomery Co*., Aia., April 19, 1859.
Brother Beebe :— I should like to address th*
breihren and sisters, and readers of the- Messenger y
in an article of some length, but fearing 1 might
‘ flfenc! some of those little ones I desist. However,
I will say to you, that I desire your views or opin
ion .poU communion, or hr®, Purington’s view?*,-
It is written, “ As often as ve do this, ye do shew
forth my de-th, and as oft*as ye do it, do it in re
membrance of m~.” Ac. The question is, how
often should we commemorate the death of our
Savior, by coming around his table, to partake a
it were of his broken body, and shed blood. W#
have divers opinions in reference to the matter in
•his section of country. I would like to have hro.
Owen’s opinion, but as it seems like asking too
much of him, I will be much obliged to you, or
• >ro. Purington, for your views. You can gv#
them without incumbering the columns of the Me #-
senger with this scribble.
1 am as ever your unworthy brother,
WM. E FREEMAN.
Russell Cos.. Ala., March 26. 1860.
Brother Beebe —l have for some time wanted
to say something to you and the brethren and sis
ers about what I hope the Lord has doue for my
soul. 1 was born in this county Nov. 23rd, 1842,
and raised by religious parents. My in >ther took
great pains to instruct her children, though it had
hut little impression upon me in religious matters.
I have had strious impressions, however, at times
about what would become of me ever since I can
recollect, but they would soon wear off. When it