Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-22
LIFE OF NAAMAN, THE LEPER.
We, Like Him, May BE Saved by heiie'-
ins-Conversions at Old Market.

Larger and larger each night grow the
crowds which assemble to hear the
rvangelsts Needham and Bliss. and each
NIGHT the ranks Of the converts are be-
ing recruited.
DIR Needham will preach tonight on the
pay of Atonement, and especially desires
a large audience Of Israelites. on Friday
right he will preach on the year OF
jubilee.
MIR. Jacobs is expected TO arrive in the
city to-day.
DIR Needham preached again last night
to a large congregation at the Grace
street Presbyterian church. lie was as
sisted by the pastor Dr. FAR. hev. MI
Iinney opened the meeting with prayer
after which DR.. IIder read the hith
chapter of the First Book Of the Apostle
John Rev. DR. Young offered prayer, ana
MIR. J. Stuart Hopkins sang solo very
feelingly. $1,000. ..o
DIR. Needham's remarks last night were
on the subject OF "Naaman, the Leper'
and were based upon the third chapter Oh
second Kings. He said 1t was the story
Of a manly man, a man high in authority.
a general in the Syrian army. capable OF
governing: a man of high social position
but withal leper
A HISTORICAL CHARACTER
The higher critics, DR.. Needham said,
are irving TO prove that Naaman was not
on historical character but simply an
aIIeeory. They repud!ate him because
there is a miracle connected win MS
restoration to health, but. nevertheless
We Will hold on to Naaman, because
christ. in the fourth chapter OF Luxe re-
fers TO him as being cured Of the leprosy.
We will hold on to him In spite or the
higher critics. Naaman is type OF many
people who are asking what can they 90
TO be saved. t..o,,,oo,,.
Naaman was an educated, inteilisehI
man. but he was ignorant OF the manner
In which he could be healed. lie peieVSI
fuuy what the little maid-servant sald
when she told him there was prophet
On Israel who could heal her master, ana
he would have been happy man sooner
~ no had followed out the little MAD
direction TO seek the prophet instead oi
Going first to his own King ana being
sent from thence TO the King OF Israel
Who thought the King Of Syria was SEEK
inc n quarrel with him. IL was ignorance
an Naaman's part. Ignorance OF the pro-
ner way to obtain salvation Is what Is
keeping so many out OF christ
ave think we can be Christians" said
tho sneaker. "by doing the best we can
40 no man any harm. observe TIE Golden
puIe &C. Does this not show our igno-
range, But what does the book say!
.vvbosoeyer believeth on Me shall be
saved s 4, ,ts
cum way. He had his own plans. ana
vyhen the prophet told him TO so WASH
IN Jordan. il upset his own plans, and ne
went away in rage, saying 1 thousht
the prophet would do thus and SO: Even
co many of US are staying out OF CHRIST
because we have prejudice against
Gods way OF saving men,
God will not accommodate niiiiseil ~
,,s we will not be saved until we sub
rat, our will TO God. We must be willing
~ give I'D everything. Naaman had pre-
iudice against the prophets directions.
He finally got over his prejudice. but then
nrlde cam. up. Personal pride, national
nride. Go wash In Jordan. Did he not
wash In Jordan? Were not the rivers
Of SYRIA better than the turbid waters
of the Jordan?
..IynIess we get rid OF this pride. become
IA docile and obedient as little children,
we cannot be saved. Pride in any form Is
monster vice.
at is O thing to be avoided. especially
when It stands In the way OF our saliva
tlon; but Naaman finally conquered his
pride. He conquered his ignorance. his
prejudice. and finally his pride. which
brings us to the hopeful side OF his char
acter.
KNEW HE WAS A LEPER.
''Naaman knew he was a leper. He
knew that the leprosy was In his blood.
corrupting his body. There was his ad-
vantage. II we know that we are lost
| sinners. let US hold ON tns<hat knowledge.
and It SHOULD eoncasn " haH y get uaaa