yourselves under the tree." Gen. 18:4. Two angels came
one evening to Sodom, and Lot rose up to meet them, and said: "Behold now,
my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all
night, and wash your feet." Gen. 19:1, 2. By these instances and others we
understand that washing feet was a custom in that time. It was not a law
of God, but people of all nations observed it as a law of health, comfort,
and cleanliness.

In Ex. 30:19-21 and 40:30-32 we learn that God instituted an ordinance or
ceremony of washing feet. This was not the mere custom of washing feet,
but was a Jewish rite and served among other rites and ceremonies to
distinguish them as God's own peculiar people. When the Son of God set up
the kingdom of grace, this priestly ceremony was blotted out and a new
ordinance of feet-washing was instituted. See John 13. This was not the
ancient universal custom of washing feet. That still continues the same as
eating and bathing. It is not the Jewish ordinance, because they were all
nailed to the cross; but it is a humble ordinance the Savior instituted
for his people saved from sin in this blessed gospel day. The Lord's
people love this precious ordinance. Jesus set the example and intends his
own to do as he did. "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 13:14, 15. Jesus
set the example in baptism and intends for us to follow. Mat. 3:15, 16. He
set the example in partaking of his newly instituted supper and intends
for us to walk in his steps. 1 Cor. 11:25.

Since the word _ought_ is used some appear to rejoice in the thought that
it is not obligatory. I, for one, ever since the Lord made me a Christian,
have always been willing and glad to do just what I _ought_ to do. We
scarcely think a man loves God when he refuses to do what he knows he
ought to do. "Ye ought to support the weak." Acts 20:35. "Men ought always
to pray." Luke 18:1. "We ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:11. "Ye
also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14. Let us as professed
followers of Jesus live and do what we _ought_ to do. Happy are ye if you
do, but what shall be the result if you refuse? "Therefore we _ought_ to
give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard." Heb. 2:1.
Will you do as you ought? Because the widow did what she ought she was
recommended t