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58 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