Soak beans overnight in 2 quarts of water. Next morning rinse beans and put in the 5 quart dutch oven with 8 cups water. Start on high heat. If you forget to soak the beans overnight, put beans in a 5 quart dutch oven and rinse in 2 changes of water draining well. Put beans back in pot and add 2 quarts or water and the baking soda. Boil on high till beans come to surface (5-10 minutes). Pour off water and rinse beans in cold water. Put beans back in pot with 8 cups of water. Put on high heat until boiling, then reduce heat to medium. Add seasonings. Cut sausage into ½"-¾" slices. Add to pot. Cover pot and crack lid slightly, cook over medium heat 2-2½ hours stirring occasionally. Your beans are done when most have broken up to form a gravy but some are still whole and all are tender. Salt and pepper to taste before serving. (Don't salt and pepper beans before cooked because the sausage may have enough salt and pepper in it to season the whole pot!) Serve over hot rice as a main dish.