The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Practical Duties Taught by n study of the
international sunday school Lesson APP
pointed for March 5, 1891. . HI, 5i1-14.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures IS
Indicated AbOye.l
SUBJECT: EAAMAS HEALED OF LEP ROSY.
/. Data.
The only account we have Of Elisha curing
Naaman Of leprosy is that which is our present
lesson. Our Savior once referred TO the case,
thus indOrsing this historic incident (SE
Luke, 4:27.) We have additional interest in
the lesson. knowing the case engaged the attsn-
ton of Christ, and was sufficiently important
to call for mention In his teachings.
Q Tine
We date this cure B. c. s94. Jehoram, the
King of Israel, had been ruling two years
Three years before this lesson, Naaman slew
Ahab. (See l XII. %: 81 Jshoram was the
son OF Ahab. u Hi, BID IL is not likely
Naaman had been long afflicted. We cannot
suppose him leper when he YAhquishsd tn Q
army Of the King Of Israel.
3 Places
!. The residence Of Benhadad and Naaman
was Damascus, the Capital OF Syria. 1t Is mis-
takenly said Abraham founded the city. IL is
counted the oldest city in the world. 1t 10
called "The Eye Of the East; also, 1.-THE
Pearl of the East" A popularity about Da-
mascus IS. that it still continues a stirring
growing city. The population is now about
10000. Other great cities have ceased to be
significant, and in many cases are mere ruins :;
as, c. g., Babylon, Nineyeh, Baalbec, Tyre. ST.
don. lt is q fact, Damascus antedates Abra-
ham. 1t is held by best authorities that Uz,
the grandson Of Noah, gave the city It's start
MahOmetans claim it is the Yeritable site Of
eN.s.E 80 81 A II
OF Adam and Eve. They claim 10 possess the
burial place of Adam. On a neighboring hill
they show the spot where Cain killed Abel
We recall the story of st. Paul's conversion
The street, Straight, is still so named The
prophet Isaiah called Damascus 1.-THE Head Of
Syria" We owe TO Damascus the Damascene
sword, the damask rose, tho damsOn plum, the
damask fabric, and the art Of damasking. Sec
ing Damascus at distance Mahomet was go
struck by its beauty that he refused to 20 into
the city, believing it is allotted to men to gain
admission but once TO such lovely spot, and
preleTring of the two TO enter Paradise, of
which. If one once become an occupant, he can
romain such forever. Buckle. the famous his
torian OF civilization, died at Damascus. Some
arrangements were effected about three years
ago for the introduction Of street-ears. What
q surprise to natives must DO electricity as a
motor and light, and the railroad in place Of
caravans!
2. The residence of the King Of Israel was
SamaTia, the Capital Of the Kingdom. IL is
about lis miles from Damascus, southwest. 1t
is also called Sebaste, Sebustisb.
3. The riVers-the Jordan ALBANIA and Phar-
par. The Jordan is the great river Of Palestine.
1t rises in the Lebanon Mountains, flowing
south. First il forms a pond, known as the
waters Of MerOm passing on II miles it flows
through the Sea Of Galilee; then dashing on 30
miles 1t empties into the Dead Sea and il lost.
The Sea OF Galilee is $50 feet below the Med
iterranean. aud the Dead Sea is I,3I2 feet below
the Mediterranean. Hence the fall Of the JOr-
dan from the Sea Of Galilee to the Dead Sea is
662 feet. 1t is plain there must be great YelOe-
ity. In 1856 bridge was built across the JOr-
dan opposite Jericho. That pleased tho Bedou-
ms very greatly, since 10 enables them to cross
the river with their camels loaded without tho
dangers and losses met with before in fOrding
the stream. IL must be granted that the Jor-
dan, like the Tiber, is not clear, but rather
muddy and yellow. But the ALBANIA and Phar-
par Rivers are cool. clear large, beautiful. We
must remember however, il was not the water
that cured. Any stream would have effected
remedy il God had so ordered.
The ALBANIA and Pharpar rise in the Lebanon
Mountains, flowing east somewhat parallel,
aud emptying into the Behr-el-MeEj. The
ALBANIA IS known as the Barrady, and the Phar-
par as the Awaaj or Awadj. The ALBANIA flows
right through Damascus. The PhaTpar is about
80 miles south.
4. The place where Elisha was stopping at
tho time Naaman went 10 Samaria il under
dispute. Verse number eight leads US 10 sup
pose he must have been in the vicinity, for he
hears Of JehOram's distress while Naaman was
yet at the palace.
4. The Facts.
Benbadad is King. His principal General Is
Naaman. Jehoram, son of Ahab, is King Of