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2 ASKED AND ANSWERED. BY C. E. W. DOBBS. Should a church discipline mem bers who persist in practicing “foot washing” as a religious ordinance ? A. S. T. We do not believe “foot-washing ’ to be a Christian ordinance, and re gard the observance of it ns such as a pernicious misinterpretation of Scripture. It was an ancient act of hospitality, (Gen. 18 :4; Jud. 19 ;21 ; 1 Sam. 25 :41 ; Luke 7 :44,) made necessary in Palestine by the dry climate, dusty roads, and the fact that sandals, covering only the soles of the feet were worn. Our Lord’s act (in John (3) was no mere ritual ceremony ; it was a real service ren dered for the comfort of his disci ples, who had walked two miles from Bethany to Jerusalem. There is no reason to suppose that Jesus intended to make feet-washing a Christian ordinance, like baptism and the supper. If so, the other evangelists could scarcely have omitted all reference to the act. If it had been understood as establish ing a permanent rite, there certainly would have been some traces of the observance of the practice in the Acts of the Apostles and in the epis tles of Paul and other New Testa ment writers. But there is no men tion of Christ’s act by the other and earlier evangelists, and no trace of such a rite among Christians of the Apostolic age. The reference in 1 Tim. 0 :10 is to an act of hospital ity, and not to an ecclesiastical rite. Had it been a religious ceremony, it would not have been mentioned as entitling widows to any special con sideration. For any Christian peo ple to practice it as an ordinance now, is to pervert the Scripture, and their conduct merits censure. If members persist in such observance, they should be kindly admonished and taught the way of the Lord perfectly. The churches, It seems to us, can no more overlook so shame ful a perversion of gospel teaching, than they can overlook the act of members who should persist in prac ticing sprinkling or infant baptism- Nevertheless, we believe in real “foot-washing I” We think soap and water would boa real means of grace to many. Wesley was more than half right when ho said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.’ Luther, the farce in which the Pope of his day annually washed the feet of twelve beggars, exclaimed : “The people would bo better seined if they were given a common bath, where they might wash their entire body.” Luther was right. I fully agree with you in your ed itorials on the resurrection of Jesus. It is amazing that any one should say that he rose on Saturday even ing ! But there is one text that you have not emphasized, Mark 16 :9, which says positively he rose on the first day of the week. j. m. c. Certainly wo appreciate expres sions of agreement coming from such brethren as J. M. C. They en courage us to continuance in the careful, critical study of the Word of God. We did not care to press the passage mentioned for obvious rea sons. The last twelve verses of Mark's gospel are of doubtful au thenticity, as seen in the Revised Version, and to quote from them would subject the argument to ob jection. Indeed vto have seen in one of the Seventh-day Sabbath journals this objection to the testi mony. Besides they who hold to the idea that the resurrection occurred on Saturday evening, might object to the ordinary punctuation of verse 9, and read it thus : “Now when ho was risen early on the first day of the week he appeared,” etc. In vain we might plead the common punctuation which puts the comma after “week," for one wedded to a theory will go to great lengths in evading any passage which conflicts w ith it. And yet the passage named, critically studied, affords no support to the “Saturday evening” interpre pretation. The word for “was ris en” (amastas) is a particle, second aorist, to which there is no corres ponding English tense. The Greek aorist is strictly the expression of a momentary or transient single ac tion, being thus distinguished from the imperfect, or past tense. The Latin (vulgate) translated the Greek “anastas” by “surgens,” which the Rheims translates by the English present participle ; “But he rising early the first day of the week,” etc. The Greek aorist participle denotes that the rising was previous to the appearing to Mary .Magdalene, but does not determine how long before. It must be apparent to every one that the perfect participle would have better suited the Saturday ev ening theory. The use of the aorist would point to a more immediate past. So we find in Matt. 9:9 j Mark 1 :35 ; Luke 4 :38, 39 ; 15 20; Acts 1:15; 9:18,19, and many other places. Is it true that “Good Friday” and “Easter” were established by the Ro man Catholics ? 0. A. Carr. “Easter” is not a gospel term, for the word in Acts 12 :4 repre sents the “passover,” and should have been so translated, as it is everywhere else, and in the Revised Version. Whether the Episcopa lian authors of our common version purposely introduced “Easter” in this one place, in order to give semi- Scriptural authority for the name, cannot be determined. At all events we know- the word is misleading, and the Revision wisely rejected it. There can be no question that “Eas ter” is derived from Eostre, the ■ name of a goddess worshipped of old in Britain. So „the eminent Church of England authority, John Henry Blunt, informs us. The ven erable Bede so declares, and he lived sufficiently near the time of idolatry to be able to speak with cer tainty, and no writer has given greater diligence to insure accuracy. Blunt says : “Our Easter, therefore, may be considered to have displaced the British festival of Eostre, on the well-known principle of Christian antiquity, whereby the material structure of God’s House was built upon the site, and often with the materials of idol temples, and popu lar festivals were adapted to the Christian calendar. Even pagan customs, so that they were innocent, were allowed to continue.” While this is true of “Easter” as a name, it is also true that long before Brit ain gave the name, the resurrection of Jesus was annually celebrated. 'Die custom can be traced back to the second century. It is specially mentioned as a custom as early as A. I). 154, but the date of of cele brating was not uniform. The Council of Nicaea (A. D. 325) fixed it on the Sunday following the full moon which happens on or first after the vernal equinox. This period coincides with the Jewish Passover which we know to have been the season of our Lord’s death and res urrection. As the vernal equinox ' invariably falls on Mjirch 21, it' is comparatively easy to tell when “Eas ter” comes. “Good Friday” is the day of the crucifixion, and was ear ly observed as an annual fast day. We cannot say these days were es tablished by the “Roman Catholics,” unless we are willing to grant to the Catholic Church an antiquity to which she is not entitled. The Church of Rome had not put forth her claims to universal dominion in the early period, in which wo find the customs commonly observed in the ehnrehes. Sometimes good brethren make a similar mistake in attributing the origination of infant baptism and affusion to the Roman Catholic Church. The truth is that both existed a century or two be fore that church put forth her im pious claims. There is no New Tes tament authority cither for or against the custom of annually cele brating by special services the Lord's resurrection, though every Lord’s day commemorates that glorious fun damental fact of Christianity. THE CONCORD ASSOCIATION. The session of this body which closed Monday 10th inst. was beyond doubt the best ever held. The in troductory sermon by Rev. W. J- Speairs was striking and forcible, the preacher bringing out some origi nal and unique thoughts in an elo quent manner. The former officers who for a long time have faithfully performed their respective duties were re-elected, W. J. Speairs Moderator and J. W. Brown Clerk and treasurer. Bro J. G. Gibson was on hand and upon invitation of the body made a strong address upon missions and at night preached a powerful sermon. Bro T. C. Boykin Sunday-school evangelist was present to represent Sunday-school, missions and our de nominational literature. There were a number of visiting brethren from other associations. On Sabbath morning 9 o’clock the Sun day-school report was made by Rev. A. J. Coalson. It gave a very en couraging account of the work in the Association 1 All the churches have Schools except one. Earnest addresses were made by several brethren. The preaching at 11 a. m. was done by Rev. S. L. Harris at the Baptist Church and Rev G. W. Colquitt at the Methodist Church, both able sermons. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY. OCTOBER 20. 1892. At 3 p. m. the mission report w r as read by Rev. Edgar Jewell who made an impressive address, follow ed by other brethren including the Moderator. The preaching at night was by Rev. T. C. Boykin at the Baptist Church and Rev. E. Jewell at the Methodist Church. At 9 a. m. Monday, the business of the Association was resumed, and carried on with unusual harmony, earnestness and promptness, thanks to the good sense of the moderator and zeal of the brethren. At 11 a. m. by special request, Rev. T. E. McCutchin, preached an earnest ser mon. It was a real treat to be among the Concord brethren, and to enjoy the hospitality of the people of Douglassville. The contributions were at least double than of any proceeding year. During the Ses sion of the body about $l4O, was pledged to assist Rev. O. Williams in securing an education, and S3O for the indigent ministers fund. It is highly gratifying to know that the Concord is making such rapid prog ress in every way. At its present rate of advancement it will, in a few years, rank among the leading asso ciations of the state. An interesting feature of the As sociation was the sale of a beautiful quilt made by the ladies of the Douglassville W. M. S. It was bought by Dr. T. R. Whitley for $25. which wiil be turned over to the Atlanta Baptist Orphans Home. This Society organised by the wri ter last May has raised nearly S6O during its short existence. A reso lution was ■ unanimously adopted recommending the organization of W. M. Societies in all the churches of the association. T. C. B, SMALL OPPORTUNITIES. There is always a more or less strong temptation to neglect small opportunities for doing good. In our pride we deem them to srnallo for our practical consideration. Na aman’s servant hit the point very finely when he asked his master this question: “If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?” The small thing requiring attention, was too small to suit Naaman. But the small opportunities for doing good are more numerous than the large ones are. Read this from Mr Spur geon: “We must be careful not to despise small opportunities.” Some ftime ago, I had been very ill. On Sunday morning, feeling a little bet ter, though weak, 1 managed to get down stairs. My wife said to me: Do you think you could read a chapter in the Bible to the servants and any who might come in?’ I told her I would try. About twenty came in and I read a chapter and explained it, though hi great weakness. My second gardener went home and said to bis wife: ‘Why, I under stand the Bible when master reads it. His wife said: ‘Do you think he will do the same thing next Sun day?’ ‘ Perhaps, if he doesn't get well.’ In the course of the week be was converted. Next Sunday his wife came, and she and one of her friends were converted.” Who can begin to measure the result of the use of those two small opportuni ties? Not only were three persons directly converted at that time, but they were made living witnesses of the power of the gospel, whose testi mony and influence have been affect ing other hearts, and perhaps through them have been led to Christ. After all, shall wo call such opportunities small? Is it not true that what we often call small is wonderfully great in God’s hands? We may call them small, if wo will, only let us not despise them. There is nothing too small for us to do, if by it we may use it for the emanci pation of a soul from the bondage of death. A sinilo may win a soul to Christ- A word of cheer may lift a sad heart into the region of hope and courage. A grasp of the hand may lead one to the bosom of God. C. H. Wetherbb. Written for the Christian Index, Our little association (the Roswell) has just ended a very pleasant ses sion at Willeo church, two miles west of Roswell. The ten churches, composing the association were well represented. We met on Saturday and adjourned on Monday even ing. All day Sunday we spent in preaching, singing, praying and tak ing collections for misions. Bro. T. T. Twitey’s sermon at eleven on missions, was good having the three p's, “Pith, Point and Power.’’ May God bless him. We looked for some of you Index brethren but you did not come. However, you were well.represented,both on the floorand by our committee on publi cations. We also looked for Bro. Gibson and other brethren but we got along without them. I suppose they were at other places where they were needed more. I desire to call especial attention to the re port on missions written by Bro. N. F. Cooledge of Norcross, which will appear in our minutes. I think it is one of the very best papers that has, yet been read on that subject. Our little Association is composed of ten small and poor churches, oc cupying a very poor belt of country up and down Chattahoochee river. This section has been sadly neglected by our boards. I have frequently re ferred this matter to them but to no purpose. But, notwithstanding the poverty of the people, these churches will send up for missions this year, something near sixty dollars. It would have delighted you to see the little boys and girls going through the vast throng of people with their bricks, working for Bro. Black at Oklahoma. I would suggest to the brethren of other Associations who favor the plan of meeting in the week and leaving out the Sabbath, that it is a mistake. I think the Sabbath should bo included, and that it should be the day of the occasion, when the people should come together, bring ing their offerings unto the Lord. How fitting. The people feel betteri and are better satisfied. W. J. Wooten. Norcross, Oct. 13th, 1892. Written for the Christian Index, SOME THINGS IN ALABAMA. This is the harvest season of asso ciations, and there is much running to and fro of the representatives of our denominational work. But the meetings are so numerous that these fail to reach all the associations. Would there not be better results in the end if these representative breth ren would visit the undeveloped as sociations rather than the strong and well developed ones, and there by educate them in denominational enterprises? It would not be so pleasant to the flesh, nor would they perhaps return home with as much funds. But in the developed bodies funds can be gotten any way, and whatever stimulation might be given to the others would be that much gain. r tfill be in pasto rates when matters quiet down. Eu fala and Opelika are yet unsupplied, though sometime has passed since vacations occurred. Dr. Purser who was called to Opelika, has not yet answered definitely. It is thought he will go to New’ Orleans, now that his Brother John F. has resigned at Troy. There has been such talk for some time. Among the churches around Birmingham there has been changing. The ele gant Southside house is finished, dedicated, and occupied. Bro. Wood has resigned at Bessemer; Lee at Pratt Mines; Henderson at Wood lawn; Giles at Avondale; and per haps others. Bro. Staton's death left his field unoccupied. Bro. Lee has been called to Woodlawn. Do not know if Tuscaloosa has secured a successor to Bro. Ramsey since his removal to Charlestown S. C. Bro. Burr resigned at Columbia to take charge at Dothan. It is said that Bro. Hubbard who supplied at Ist Montgomery for Bro. Eager while enjoying his vacation, will take Columbia. Bro. J. L. Jones, death has left the pleasant field of Brundidge and Newton vacant’ There arc other vacancies existing. Thompson at Huntsville, Cott Smith at Scottsboro. Brewer at Alexander City, with a probability of more changing. So it seems that the wave of unrest is upon the churches as well as political circles, and change is the order of the day. Let us hope, however, that things will soon settle down, and then move forward more grandly than ever before. Or it may be that this is the beginning of the day of trouble such as has not been, when men’s hearts will be failing them because of the things coming upon the earth to bo followed by that glorious day for which Christians have long beei praying. Who knows? But all is well, for God reigns. G. E. B. Written for the Cristiau Index. West Plains, Mo., Sept. 22,1892. Enclosed you will find my second article for publication. I have been so hurried for time that I have not bestowed the labor on the article I would like to have done. In addi tion to a busy pastorate. I have been making several associations in the interest of State Missions, also writ ing up these for the state paper. I will attend the general Association the 18th, of October and if you de sire one to furnish a brief account of same for your paper. Please let me know and I will do so. Hoping you success in the work of furnishing to the people a good religious paper I remain yours. Fraternally. F. P. Davidson. ©he Smitdixii-Gchaal the GOSPEL PREACHED AT ANTI OCH. Lesson for Oct. 30th, 1892. Scripture Lesson: Acts 11:19-30. Motto Text:—“A great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” V. 21. INTRODUCTTOn. Antioch is about 300 miles from Je rusalem, outside of the contry of the Jews. It is a place of great import ance, ranking third among the cities of the Roman world. “It was famous for the beauty of its position and the splendor of its buildings, and infa mous for the profligacy and fraud, sorcery and effeminancy of its peo ple.” While distinctively a Roman city it had a considerable Jewfish population, ahd among these Jews many had become Christians. Our lesson shows how the Gospel is preached to the Gentiles in Antioch, and how many of them turn unto the Lord. Through Peter a door has been opened to the Gentiles as shown in the conversion of Cornelius. The early part of this chapter show's how Peter defends himself at Jerusalem upon the charge of going in unto the Gentiles. While he is bringing the brethren at Jerusalem to see that the Gospel is meant for all alike, things are being made ready for its wide diffusion. Antioch is to become the great centre of missionary operations. From this place Paul is to set forth on each of his great missionary journ eys. EXPLANATORY. I. Beginnings of the work in Antioch.—Vs. 19 21. It has been 4 or 5 jjears since the martyrdom of Stephen. The persecution of that time had gcatttered the disciples far and wide, and as they went they preached the Gospel. It has already been noted how the Gospel had thus become established throughout Judea and Samaria. Here we find some going as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch. Phenicia is a long narrow strip of country on the coast of the Mediterranean, including the cities of Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus is a large island in the Mediterranean sea some sixty miles from the coast. Antioch is the capital of Syria,- 300 miles from Jerusalem, and having a population of about 500,000. Cyrene was an important city on the coast of Africa. It was men of Cyprus and Cyrene who first preached at An tioch, and not the Apostles. We do not know whether they had heard of the conversion of Cornelius or not, but for some reason they preach to the Greeks in Antioch as well as to the Jews. -‘The hand of the Lord was with them, as it is always with with those who faithfully do his com mandments. A great number be lieved and turned unto the Lord.’’ Believed and turned. Their faith was of that kind which impels to ac tion. True faith works by love. 11. The work at Antioch in spected, Approved and aided. vs. 22-26. When the church at Jerusalem heard of what was done at Antioch they were jealous, and at once or dered an investigation. Their jeal ousy perhaps sprang more their strict Jewisn prejudices than from zeal for the Lord’s honor. The work of such investigation was one of rare delicacy and difficulty. It is important that be who goes on this Mission shall find out, not what will suit himself, or please those who send him, but what is true and pleasing to God. No man is found better suited for this than Barnabas. He sees things as they are, discerns the grace of God working among them, and rejoices. He exhorts and encourages them to cleave to to the Lord in whom they have believed, “He was n good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith.” It is a rare goodness that recognizes and apprecictes goodness wherever it bo found. His goodness gave him power to do good in Antioch. “Much people was added unto the Lord.” Then, that he may further help these people, he goes to seek and bring Saul, and together they labor at Antioch for a whole year with the most gracious results. 111. Practical Results from THE WORK AT AnTIOCU. VS. 27 30. Prophets who come to Antioch are enabled by the spirit to foretell a famine that shall come, and spec ially afflict Judia. This tidings of suffering touches a responsive chord in these new Christian hearts and they determine to send relief. Who can tell how far the cordial spirit shown by Barnabus W'ent in beget ting a like spirit toward* the Judian Christians? What a practical test | we have of the genuine faith and piety of these new Christians in that they were so ready to give of their means to relieve distress. These gifts furnish the very best report Jhat can be carried back to Jerusa lem to show the real nature of the work that has been done. SUGGESTIONS. 1. Persecution drove the Chris tians from Jerusalem and scattered them far and wide. They had to abandon their homes, but they took their religion with them. Surely our religion is the one thing we ought always to take w ith us. It is the only thing we can take into the future life. Let us takeit into our bus iness, into our pleasure, into our homes, on our jourdeys, wherever we go. Not the Apostles only, but all the disciples were witnesses for Christ w here they went. 2. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch, v. 26. “Are we Christians? Then we ought to think and speak and act, in everything, as become Christians, and to do nothing to the reproach of that worthy name by which we are called; that may not be said of us which Alexander said to a soldier of his own name, that was noted for a coward, ‘Either change thy name or thy manners.’ ” 2. “Every man according to his ability.” v. 29. Here is the scriptu ral law' of beneficence. Every one should help. Each man’s ability is to be the measure of his service. Temple, Texas, Oct, 11, 1892. Our State Convention has just closed its annual session at Belton. The Venerable R. C. Burleson D. D. L. L. D., President of Baylor Uni versity was elected President of the Convention. The attendance was not so large as was expected, still it was a repre sentative body, and it was a very excellent meeting. The very best spirit prevailed throughout the en tire .session, and all denominational interests received a fair share of attention. We had the pleasure of w elcoming for the first time several new men, among whom was Dr. A. W. Lamar who once was a pastor in Georgia. Dr. Tichenor of the Home Board was with us, and made a ringing ad dress on Sunday night, on home missions. Neither of the Secreta ries of the Richmond Board was with us, but Foreign missions re ceived a full share of the considera tion of the body. Dr. J. M. Frost of the S. S. Soard made a splendid address on his special work, and received a cordial welcome and was encouraged with the future prospects of this work. Dr. B. Griffith of Philadelphia was visiting Texas with reference to the location of a branch house of the American Baptist Publication Society and gave us a brief call in passing. He was kindly received. Dr. E. C. Dargan the new seminary professor made his first visit to Tex as and won all our hearts by his gen ial manner, and our admiration for his splendid abilities as a preacher by his grand sermon at the Baptist church on Sunday morning. While -we had so many things to make us feel happy, yet all of us were made sad by the absence of two of our brethren Dr. J. H. Strib ling and Charlie Campbell, wdio had crossed over the river to rest in the bosom of our Father. Georgians do not know’ a great deal of our belov ed Stribling, but he was the most universally loved man in our Texas ministry. A man of great power as a preacher, pure in his life, sin cere in his friendships, he was hon ored and loved by all who knew him. Charlie Campbell was known and loved in Georgia, but he was no less loved and honored in Texas. He had but a short time before his death been made President of our State Mission Board, and bad taken hold of the work with a vigor and ability that indicated his fitness for the position, and that there would be a strong and aggressive administra tion of that department of our work in his death we have lost one of our strongest men, and the writer a personal friend. We missed these brethren, from our meeting which cast a shade of sorrow over the Con vention. A memorial service was held in honor of their memory, which was very tender. Taking into consideration the fearful de pression that prevails everywhere in money matters the work of the year was a grand success, and we have great reason to be thankful to God, for His continued blessing upon us. Just a word about Georgians in Texas. In the extreme North is J. A. Ivey pastor at Sherman. He is succeeding splendidly, and is now building an elegant new house of worship. In the Southwest at Pearsall is W. J. Collins a splendid man and succeeding well. W. J. Brown is at Cleburne enga ged in preaching to country church es. He is a man of splendid ability and is moderator of Alvarado Asso ciation. There are a £reat number of others. Carswell at Gonzales, Choice at Kilgore. Wingo at Bryan. Luther the Corresponding Secretary, of our S. S. Board, and Supt. of that work in Texas, Hanks at Abiline in the far west, Dyer in the Pan Handle, all doing well. Time and space for bid that I write any more now. W. R. Maxwell. The Bowen Association has just closed a most pleasant and we hope profitable session.Harinony and broth erlylove prevailed. Two changes are worthy of notice. One was the time of meeting. By a large majori ty it was decided to meet on Tues day hereafter instead of Friday. There was considerable opposition to the change and it was discovered that the opposition, to a great ex tent, came from brethren who had intimated that they would leave the following morning (the vote was taken Saturday) for their homes. When an exposure of this fact was made, the inconsistency was so glaring that the opposition yielded at once. (The brethren who ex pected to leave Sunday morning were requested to rise and more than half -of the delegation arose.) The writer blushes as he records this, but the matter is reported in the hope that other associations which cling to the old custom and suffer as this one did may profit by our experience. The other change alluded to in volves the process of organizing. It will be remembered that the first services after assembling, is the in troductory sermon. After the sermon is intermission,after intermission the tedious and often protracted service of reading church letters. When these are finished,then comes the organiza tion. On this occasion,when the body was called to order, the clerk had a correct list of all the delegates pres, ent and actually called tha roll and did not fail in a single instance to have the initials of the brethren right on his list. Once or twice he called out “M,” when he should have said “W,” but it was right on his list. Another brother had ready a list of the churches and under each church name in a nut shell the stat istics, the contributions and any in teresting facts reported. This was read and the whole proceeding con sumed just 20 minutes. The body had the substance of the letters be fore it and was ready for business. Bowen. AVER’S Sarsaparilla J sgsi xM I tw Cures Will Cure You. A Reliable Woman w.wite.l in every County to eMablish a Coroe- I arlnr for the sale of Dr. Nichol*' Celeratl Eh Spiral Si ring Corsets and Clasps. 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