Your ShelfYour Projects

A Plain Duty

8%

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 22, No. 3.

Read the full edition

A Plain Duty.

By A. S. Hutchins

SAID JESUS, ‑If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.– John xiii, 14, 15.
Notwithstanding the ordinance of feet-washing is thus clearly enjoined upon the followers of Him who condescended to wash his disciples' feet, yet pride and prejudice have found what are said to be ‑unanswerable arguments– against its observance.
Says Peter, ‑We ought to obey God rather than men.– Acts v, 29. And John says, ‑Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.– 1 John iv, 11.
A query here arises, Is love to God and love one to another enforced in stronger terms in these texts, than the above ordinance is, in the language of the Saviour?
Who would think of giving the texts last quoted an interpretation which should only require the Christian to have humility enough to love God and his brethren, without ever calling this love into exercise?
‑By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.– 1 John v, 2, 3.
Here we see that love manifests itself by obedience, by doing the will of God. Thus it is with Bible humility; it is not dormant, but active; ‑Serving the Lord with all humility of mind.– Acts xx, 19.
Some denominations have in their infancy and humility practiced feet-washing as a gospel ordinance, which have years since laid it aside. Among these are the Free-will Baptists. Many years after their rise they observed it to some extent.
Speaking on this point their historian says, ‑It was claimed by those who entered heartily into this observance, that it was often among the most precious seasons of their experience.–
This agrees with the declaration of the Master, ‑If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.–
Alas! that man should have forgotten that ‑the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.– John xiii, 16.
A. S. HITCHENS.