The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-21

wARR1oR.---our lesson opens with an
account OF a great man, the commander
who was destined to remembered for cen.
turtles, because he came into relations
with tho people of Cod duke ": 27.)
Held In high esteem, by his sovereign on
Of his eel nd
was honored by the people, even as
Moses was In Egypt. EEK. x: 80 In the
days when force ruled the world. q MILL
tary chdeftain outranked all others III
dignity. The scholar, the priest. the
conspicuous than the warrior. The sy-
RAN general had been named Nanman
by his parents, signifying beautiful or
agreeable, but their hopes were des-
valor and honor, he suffered. under a
serious disease, which rendered him offen-
sive to all-he was leper. This illalady,
so common in the East, partially un-
fitted him for service. and caused deep
regret among friends and relatives.
CAPTIVE.eNaan1nns victorious troops
spread terror into many of the adjacent
countries. They raided Israeli their near
neighbor on the West, and carried away
much booty. It was customary for con-
one of these nlarauding expeditions 1t
fell to the lot of n MAIDEN to be borne
away from her parents, to Syria. where
she was reduced TO slavery. and made 70
serve the wife Of the great commander
(verse q. 1t Is probable that she received
kindly treatment at the hands OF her
mistress, and that she shared the feelings
OF regret concerning Naa1nan's leprosy.
Be that as 1t may she did not forget her
religion neither the prophet whoes Won Won,
throughout all the homes OF Israel and
endeared him to the hearts tof the people.
One day while performing her duty, she
made bold announce that Elisha was vas
hope that they might meet (verse -. It
was a beautiful exhibition Of faith, cour-
age, pity and all combined, proof that
she had been properly trained at home.
h AfESSAGE.-It was natural that TINS
word should be quickly delivered by I, some So, e
of Naaman'sH household to the Syrian
monarch (verse ~. Any promise OF re-
lief from any source would aweken hope.
For long time it had been known
among the heather what marvellous
israel e Kings vi: 12] It may never
have occurred, however, that q prophets
power might be invoked for one OF the
enemies OF Israel, for the very man ma; W 'luo
was at the head of the army. + me si4s
Guilty. for. instead Of addressing Elisha,
he wrote a letter to the king OF Isra ell
asking for the cure Of the captain gen
eral (verse 6). And as. because OF me
former relations Of Che two governments,
he had no other grounds to ask such
favor, he proposed to purchase 1t. Among
Orientalists price was put on most
good things, and men were ready 10 pour
out their treasure. In this lnsta e. l ne
sum offered was very large. ap1u. s.o" ~
in gold and silver, besides ten changes OF
costly raimert 81 whose value cannot be
estimated (verse 81.
ALARM.-It did not require many days
for the servants Of Benhadad, King OF
Syria, to travel from Damascus to Sama-
ria, and present the letter with the
rael. Naaman. the mighty chieftain,
was escorted in state, to receive the
miraculous cure. But Jehoram, as he
read the message. was greatly alarmed
Verse - In those days rulers. when.
casions for war that they might crafty
their ambition or Ill their treasury
Strategy and treachery were the common
methods employed to provoke dlscord:
1t is not surprising that the King OF
Israel inferred that this was only an.
other OF many attempts to create a quar-
rel. "Am ] God?' exclaimed he. recog-
niztng the fact that only.the Divine BE
ing could cure a disease which had pal
fled the skill of physicians. he eVioeh.-
" supposed that his refusal to grant Lals
favor orr his declaration OF inaplhty
would be regarded as a personal onense;
to he punished by the military power OF
the rival king, whom he had reason 70
fear. CONSERVATION filled the court as
the tldings were borne from one 70 an an
other OF the kings advisers.
PROPOeAL-Whilc the excitement was
at its height, and many doubted !Wnal
answer should be returned. Intelligence
OF the affair reached Elisha, then res,alitS
at Gilgal GchagStsp M the uo Whole pe.
lind ~ fIsraels history. whenever any
trouble arose. 1t was the habit OF rulers
to seek counsel Of the prophet o & nEs
came by following his advice. But In this
Instance Jehoram, through fear. or for
getfulness, and perhaRs cnrougn ,irI ~
gion, had neglected this -m3ae o. ied h,r
message that contained the only ground
of hope, and compelled the king to re-
member that he was In Israel, whose
people were In covenant WIN M n,oo s ys
be sent to lGilgal, with the promise ina.
he should know there was a Prophet ~ ~
Israel; that the religion OF the fathers
tshed from the land What would be
done on arrival no one could say-no
one needed to say. It was enough for the
king to be relieved t1 Tor y, the tl1no De'hs u
the great procession, from samarla to
the humble lodgings OF: the prophet.
Naaman had paid suit In vain. at an
earthly court; he turned next to the rep
resentauye Of the Almighty MY; - eMa ths
door OF Elisha (verse %, not presuming
desiring entsr be ss two q msh
Xy, religion and .uncleslnness. (Ants, X:
J And Elisha y who d had !, invited nppear th ae
I he door to welcome him. Secluded with
in his own house. he sent out a mes sen,
ger with direction to go and wash seven
times In Jordan, accompanied ,by the
promise tina the General should be clean
verse 1o). This order was very singular.
There is no evidence that tho Jordan
was supposed to have any. medicinal
qualities, or that the people Of Israel re,
garded 1t with reverence Aas q sacred
stream. as the Hindoos do the Ganges,
The washing was rather intended as 1, a 9.
of the blind man in the pool OF Sloan,
(John, ix ~
OFTENsE-On hearing these. words
Naaman was greatly displeased. AS
parsonage OF high rank from a foreign