THERE is no evidence in Scripture, or in any early writing, of any such practice as washing feet, in time of worship, or associated with worship, either public or private, as a religious rite, an ordinance, an act of devotion, or in any other way. There is no intimation that the washing of the saints’ feet alluded to, I. Tim. v. 10, was a religious rite, or an ordinance connected with worship, any more than lodging strangers. It is put down in the list of “good works,” and not religious rites or devotions.
In like manner, the feet washing mentioned, John xiii. 1–10, was not in time of worship, nor at the time of the Passover, but “before the feast of the Passover,” and after supper, or “supper being ended,” he “rose from supper and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself.” This was not in public at all, but in the private circle. It was not in a meeting, nor in time of worship at all, but after a common meal. The washing of feet was not a new thing with them, nor were any surprised at feet washing, for it was common, and a necessity. That which was new about it, was for the Lord and Master to wash the servants’ feet. Had the order been for the servant to wash the Master’s feet, there would have been nothing new to them in it. But they were abashed at the idea of their Lord and Master washing their feet. With this view, Peter said, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” The Lord responded, “What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.” Peter persisted, not against feet washing, but against the Lord washing his feet. “Thou shalt never wash my feet.”
If washing the saints’ feet had been a religious rite connected with the communion, how could Paul have omitted it, when giving that which he received of the Lord? See I. Cor. xi. 20–34. He says, “I received of the Lord that which I delivered to you.” He then proceeds to tell us what it was. See I. Cor. xi. 23–25. This was instituted on “the same night in which the Lord was betrayed.” The occasion of the feet washing (John xiii. 1–10) was not on “the same night in which the Lord was betrayed,” but “before the feast of the Passover.” The feast of the Passover was over before the communion was instituted. We think the following is true in regard to the matter: That the feet washing was before the Passover, and the institution of the communion was after it; that two days intervened, and that the two things done were also at two places, the one at one place and the other at another. The washing of feet did not occur at the same time nor in the same place of the institution of the communion, nor is there the least evidence that it ever was practiced in connection with the communion in the primitive church, nor is there the least authority for it.
We have never witnessed anything of the kind, but we have been informed repeatedly that where they practice this ceremony now, they only wash one foot of each person. We would like to know where they get this. It is not in John xiii. 1–10.
[SUCCESS TO GOOD MEN.]
WE desire to see every man succeed who is for the “right way of the Lord,” and hope the Lord and his people will hold up the hands of every such man. We know the Lord will hold up the hands of every such man; never leave him nor forsake him; but will grant him grace and glory, and withhold from him no good thing; and we know, too, his people, when they have time to reflect and the means of knowing before them, will stand by the good and true, the sincere and faithful. They will let religious adventurers pass, and turn their backs on them. They want no charlatans under the garb of religious teachers. Be good and true, faithful and honest, sincere and sound, in the true sense, and there is no danger of the people getting to think you are unsound.