New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-05-28
Communicated
Moral Reflections No, f.:,
VIM. V. TURNER,
State Agent Alabama Labor Union.

"Werc there not ten cleansed: But where
are the nine:" And 1t came to pass, as He
| went 10 Jerisale,n, that lie pascal through
the midst OF Samaria and Gailee. And rs
lie entered into a certain village, there met
Him men that were lepers, which stood alar
off; and they lifted up their voices and said:
Jesus, Master, have mercy Oh us. And when
lie saw them, He said unto them, go show
yourselves unto the priests. And 1t came to
pass that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, turned back, and, with loud voice,
gloriiied God"
The lepers believed Christ's word, and
Immediately put their faith in practice by
prompt obedience. They had not been
healed when they started, but were made
clean on the way.
we learn here very important and in
| structive truth in regard to a sinners coming
| to Christ for salvation. He is not to wait
till he knows his sins are forgiven-his lep-
rosy cleanscd; but he is to obey Christ in
Immediately doing His will, as it may be
made known to him by His providence and
the teaching of His word. The evidence of
His salvation will he seen in His life. As in
the case of the lepers, they did not wait till
they were healed, but at once Obeyed Chrst's
voice, and the healing followed.
Submission and obedience ever accompany
genuine faith, and reciprocally strengthen
and confirm each other Submission to
Chrst's will is faith obedience to his COM
mand is faith ; and these fruits, where they
exist, are inaubtable evidences of faith.
''Show me the faith without thy works, and
will show you my faith by my works."
We learn another lesson from this miracle
Of healing. Ten were cleansed-Only one
returned to give thanks unto God. SO in
human life. Of the multituJes that arc daily
the recipients of Gods bounty, how few give
Him tribute of gratitude and praise for His
| constant and unwearied goodness: They
| are upheld by His power they are clothed
and fed from His bOuntiful hand; the morn
ing and the evening rejoice over them in
abundant mercies; and yet, like the nine
lepers, they turn not back to give thanks
to their adorable Benefactor. And as it is
in regard to the subjects of the common
blessings of our Heavenly Father, how few
of those who receive special farors at the
hand Of God? Restoration to health from
disease, deliverance from great trouble, pro-
lection in great peril, or sudden elevation,
it may be, to wealth or honor, how few of
such acknowledge the hand of God, and give
Him worthy praise?
And again: Of nominal Christians those
who have professed to have been brought
from darkness to lght-from the bondage of
Satan to the liberty of freemen in Christ
Jesus-to have been cleansed from the fatal
leprosy of sin, and snatched from eternal
death. how few have any abiding sense in
their hearts of gratitude and love to Him who
has enlightened their minds, broken their
bonds, cleansed their souls from guilt, and
lifted them up from their darkness, pollution,
and moral ruin to light and purity and eter-
nal life
The true Christian will ever exclaim with
David: "What shall render unto the Lord
for all His benefits 2" And cry out with
Paul "Lord, what wilt thou have me to
do?" "A, A.
WASHINGTON Cry, February 20, 1874.