to go wash in the River Jordan. He thought the prophet might have given him something noble or daring to do. And even if he did instruct him to dip himself seven times, why couldn't it have been one of the beautiful rivers down home, instead of the muddy, murky waters of Jordan. Perhaps they, like Naaman, will later change their minds, and like Naaman receive the great blessing they long for so much. At least we hope so. Feet washing was evidently practiced quite generally in Apostolic days. You will recall the widow who was to receive the care of the church was among other things conditioned on "If she have washed the saints' feet." There were undoubtedly many opportunities for her to do so, else that would not have been one of the conditions. (1 Tim. 5:9,10.) Those who have never participated in feet washing are not qualified to speak intelligently on the subject. Let him who objects to the service first try it-and then if it does not measure up to Christ's promise that "Happy are ye if ye do them," he will be qualified to condemn the practice. But there are many who have taken part in this service; let us hear from them. The Multitudes that Practice Feet Washing. When the Children of Israel were encamped at Kadesh, they sent over twelve spies to see for certain if the land of Canaan did actually flow with milk and honey, and pomegranates, and all the other good things that were promised them. They had heard from the Lord, as well as from rumors, that it was a good land, but they wanted to make sure by sending over the spies. Upon their return they plucked a bunch of grapes at Eschol that two men carried on a staff between them, just to prove that all the good things they said of the land were true. All twelve came back and said that it was a land truly flowing with milk and honey. That is what not only twelve men-but multitudes are saying about feet washing. They have laid aside their vestures, girded themselves with towels, poured water in basins, and down on their knees in front of another have washed feet, just as Jesus said they OUGHT TO. And they have done this during the good year, 1921. Without a dissenting voice, all that participate in it give testimony that they are happy in doing it, as Jesus said they would be. The Form of Service. Usually it is preceded by the Lord's Supper. "And rising from supper" they gird themselves with towels. The brethren are in their part of the house, and the sisters in their part. Or if the house is small, it is often a separate meeting, one for the men and another for the women. And if you want to know the practice, just read the references above, from the 13th of St. John. Each man washes a brother's feet-not foot. The brethren see that every brother gets his feet washed, and that each washes another's feet. The women likewise. It is usually accompanied with great joy, and blessing. Jesus Himself said in reference to it: "If ye know these things: happy are ye if ye do them." We find that this is positively the truth. I smile sometimes at the inconsistency of man! "That is ridiculous," exclaims one, "to make that a religious service." Brother, we didn't make it. It never occurred to us until we saw it in the 13th of John. If Jesus Himself, our Lord and Master, could stoop and wash His disciples' feet, how much more should we wash a disciple's feet! With these comments we leave you with the 13th chapter of St. John, your Lord and Master, and prayer— and sincerely hope you will soon realize the happiness in being obedient to Christ in ALL THINGS-Even if you don't understand any more about the service than Peter did. Tithing and Giving Tithes Before the Mosaic Law was Established "And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall Under the Law Moses Ordained Tithes as Follows: the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. . . . . . . ....it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit." Numbers 18: 21, 23, 24. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, when ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithes.... and ye shall give thereof the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the priest." Numbers 18: 25, 26, 28. "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flock's; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always." Deut. 14: 22, 23. "At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithes of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: and the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest." Deut. 14:28, 29. Between the Time of Moses and the New Testament "And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and tithes of all things brought they in abundantly." 2 Chronicles 31:5. "Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them, and brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully." 2 Chronicles 31: 11, 12. "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes, unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." Nehemiah 10: 38. "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Prov. 3: 9, 10. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your |