would not have been so much astonished, and also manifested so much reluctance upon that occasion. When the Saviour presented the basin to Peter, he immediately observed, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Whereas, if Christ had been in the habit of so doing, it appears reasonable that he (Peter) wonld not have made any inquiry about the matter-but as being performed by the Lord, whom he held in the highest esteem and veneration—it was said to Peter, "what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." From these words, Peter fully discovered his Lord's intention, and at once refused-"Thou shalt never wash my feet;" I acknowledge thee to be my Lord and Master, and thus viewing thee in that light, how can I consent that thou shouldst wash my feet? The Lord gave Peter to understand, that an objection to his will, would be an objection to his having any part in him; "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Peter took the admonition, and with great fervency, besought the Lord not to defer the matter because of his obstinacy, in as much as he was now willing, not only to have his feet washed, but also his hands and his head, signifying that he might exercise his power over every part of his body.

I have said that Feet Washing hath a spiritual import. In the first place, I believe it represents that brotherly chastisement, which the children of God are sometimes called upon to exercise one towards another. Christ told his disciples, that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. As long as we are in the flesh, we are liable to err and to commit tresspasses; therefore, the Saviour saw proper to instruct his church how to proceed, so as to reclaim and restore offenders: (see the 18th chapter of St. Mathew's Gospel) from which it is plain, that it is not the will of our Heavenly Father, that one of his children should fall a prey to the great adversary of

souls. Peter tells us, that our adversary, the devil, goeth about, continually, like a roaring lion, seeking whose soul he may devour. It is certain, that the best christians are liable to be tempted. The Saviour himself was tempted, and showed us how to proceed when tempted; (read the 4th chapter of Mat.) and should we, through weakness, or neglect of duty, be led to violate our holy calling, in committing a tresspass against a brother, it becometh us to acknowledge our fault and ask forgiveness. Christ instructs the offended what course to pursue, so as to gain his disobedient brother: "Moreover, if thy brother shall commit a trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, and if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. "Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone." From this we learn, that it is the duty of the offended to go and reason the offence with his disobedient brother. It is to be done privately-between thee and him alone. At this place, we cannot be too cautious-and, oh! how often do we err, or neglect our duty, in complying with the above. Instead of proceeding immediately, we permit the offence to take such a deep root in our hearts, and blaze the matter abroad, and that to the great hurt of both parties. We ought, at all times, to possess a great concern for the prosperity of every member, particularly towards those of our brethren who are in danger of going astray.

Now, Feet Washing represents that course which we are to pursue. For instance-You observe, that in order to wash a brother's feet, you must bend or stoop yourself; and, secondly, your brother gives his feet into your hands, and then you can wash them. In like manner, to gain, or have a brother cleansed from his trespasses, we must go in love and with great humility, and apprize our brother of his conduct, expostulating in an

humble manner with him, and by so doing, it may be, that your brother will receive the admonition, and give himself into your hands, so that you can wash him from his trespasses, which is accomplished whenever a reconciliation takes place. Whereas, it may be, if you had not humbled yourself—that is, bent or stooped before your brother, he would not have acknowledged his fault -that is, given himself into your hands, (in order to forgiveness,) so that you might forgive-that is, wash him.

Secondly, Feet Washing represents that state of purification through which the believer must pass, so as to be received at the coming of Christ; for then it is, that he (Christ) will send his angels with a great sounding trumpet, and they (his angels) shall gather his elect together, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. The believer may be said to have entered upon a state of purification at the time of his adoption into the family of God. He is now a branch in Christ, the true vine, and must now be careful and produce such fruit as will terminate in his soul's salvation. John, v. He must abide in the truth all the days of his life. Christ hath said, if the truth makes you free, then you shall be free indeed. It is by and through the word and Spirit of God, that we can arrive into a state of sanctification. John, xv. "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." xvii. 17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

Feet Washing must be observed before supper-for every time the believer attends to this institution, he must call to mind, that now, in this present time, he must equip, or qualify himself, having the wedding garment of righteousness, so that he may be found in a state of readiness at the coming of his heavenly bridegroom, and enter in with him to the marriage,

CHAPTER XIII.

THE HOLY KISS.

It is the duty of brethren to salute one another with an Holy Kiss. The inspired apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, xvi. 16, hath given the law for this practice: "Salute one another with an Holy Kiss" -and in i. Cor. xvi. 20: "Greet ye one another with an Holy Kiss" and likewise the apostle Peter hath commanded the observance of the same: ii. Pet. v. 14. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity." The literal observance of this command, is simply to touch with the lips; and I will venture to say, that we have not, in the Bible or Testament, a plainer command of any thing, than that of the observance of the Holy Kiss. The apostle does not say when or how often we shall salute one another. From this I take it for granted, that it ought to be frequently observed. Whenever brethren give one another the right hand of fellowship, at times of meeting for divine service, and when a member is received by Baptism-that is, upon his coming up out of the water, those upon the shore or bank ought to give him the right hand of fellowship, accompanied with the salutation of the Kiss; and especially when we observe Feet Washing, and just before we celebrate the communion, this can be done in an orderly manner, so as to cause no confusion. Whenever brethren wash and wip a brother's feet, he ought immediately to give the right hand, accompanied with the salutation of the Kiss; and after the Lord's Supper has been partaken of, and just before the celebration of the Communion, it ought again to be observed -which can be done without causing any interruption.