The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-15
YESTERDAYS PULPIT TOPICS
DR.. Reuben Jeffrey Draws Appropriate
Lessons from the Story of Naaman.
Rev. ]. Il. Corning, of Terre Haute, at May
flower Congreg ational-F ifty-Two New
Members Admitted to the Tabernacle.
THE STORY OF NAAMAN.

DIR. Jeffery's Evening Sermon at the First
Baptist-Progress of the Revival.
The story of how Naaman was cured of lep
rosy, as found in III Kings v, was applied by DR..
Jeffery, of the First Baptist Church, in his SER
mon last night, to the plan of salvation
Naaman, one Of the Syrian Kings great captains,
was afflicted with the dreadful disease, which
was then. and is STILL common in the East. All
the eminent surgeons Of the time could not cure
him, but little servant girl told the King of a
prophet in Israel who could cure Naaman.
After a great deal of negotiation the prophet
Elisha came along and told the leper
to dip seven times in the waters of Jordan.
At this Naaman became wroth, and
he exclaimed, Are not ALBANIA and Pharpar,
rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters
of Irael2' But he followed the prophets direc-
ticns and was cured. He doubted the efficacy of
the waters of Jordan. The cure was too simple.
That is the story and it carries with it two les
sons. First, il shows the facility with which
every one can do good. The little girl could not
tell the process Of the cure, but she knew of
man who could Herein rests the responsibility
OF the ministry and Of every Christian They
cannot tell how the change of heart and life is
effected except that the Holy Spirit above car
do it. We can tell the glad tidings Of salvation
through Jesus The little girl never had the
leprosy, and knew nothing from personal ex-
perience of the dread disease We, however,
know of the leprosy sin, and how we have been
cured.
Naaman was wrathful in his interview with the
prophet because he had become prepossessed
with an idea as to how he was to be cured. He
supposed that on account of his position there
would be a great deal OF form and ceremony
that it would be great event. and because the
prophet simply directed him to battle seven
times IN Jordan he was disappointed. His idea
belonged to the innate tendency to delight in
sensation. There are people who even look upon
much of, and there are those who
propose to be converted at
particular time. in particular way, and in
particular place. All this is desired that scene
possessed idea but rarely does God lead to its reali
cation. When We come to Christ all conceits
must be laid aside, and the soul and purpose of
life be surrendered to Him. This prepossession
of how we shall be converted is senseless. 1t is
like the fancy OF rich man who refuses to take
medicine doctor prescroes because it is not
wrapped IN particular kind of paper
Again Naaman expected great popular ex
element would attend his case on account of
the pomp and ceremony of priesthood. But
his recovery depended on nothing of the kind.
The spirit of God is tied to no methods, no sur
roundings. The enc great essential of salvation
is the complete surrender of ones self to the
voice of God. 1t is mistake to attach efficacy
could be saved without baptism. The grace of
God acts Independently of that ceremony. One
may never see drop of water and
yet be saved. The fact that one
is converted gives him right
to baptism. He is entitled to it when the spirit
of man lies at the feet of Jesus. 1t was not the
dipping seven times in the waters of Jordan that
cured Naaman. He might have walked through
them time and time again, and yet failed in re-
covery. 1t was his submission to the will of the
prophet and the faith wrapped it that cured
him. Men say they have been baptized, con-
frmed, and even immersed, but the one great
question is, has there been with all this change
of hearth Baptism is merely public declara-
ton, outward sign that we have accepted
Christ and been known unto him. It Is just as
we shake hands with friend to show our glad
ness at meeting him.
The Doctor impressively enforced the lessons
thus taught by an eloquent exhortation to those
who had not been cured of sin to accept the
offerings of Christ At the close of the services
eight converts were baptized. Special meetings
will be held at this church on Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Friday evenings, and at P. NJ. on
Wednesday and Friday the pastor will meet any
one In his study who desires religious instruc-
tinn