The Washington herald., 1907-09-22
A SUNDAY TALK.

are not Abaua and Phapar. rivers Of Damascus.
better than all the waters Of Israeli May ! not
wash in them and be cleani SO He turned aud
went away in a rage.-Il Kings. VIZ
The parable that is behind the story of
the curing Of the leprosy Of Naaman Is
one that has been repeated through all
the ages since. and it is typical Of the
revolt constant in the human heart
against doing the appointed thing. Here
was a great captain of the host Of Syria
afflicted with a disease which was worse
than death and for which there was no
known cure. But appealing to Elisha, the
prophet, he received very simple instruc-
tions what to do to be made whole. All
that was necessary was that he should go
and wash in the River Jordan seven
times. It was so easy a task that Ma
aman thought il ought to be harder. Why
not Abana or Pharpar-they were as good
rivers as Jordan2
Always that tendency has been manifest
in human conduct There are none Of
US so blind but that we see the right.
We all of US know that to get the best
out Of life, to realize its full meaning.
there is only one straight and narrow
path 10 travel And yet we are, spirit
ually. constantly in revolt. VIII not this
other path DO just as well; may we not
reach the goal by this short cut? Why
take the dusty and straight road when
there are green fields and rrnning brooks
by which we may daily and be glad?
1t comes very largely because Of mans
high confidence in his own strength and
might HIS own knowledge. his own ex-
perience, his own wisdom. We are too apt
''and as prophets burned" may have been
a little old-fashioned and slow-we know
more than they did. aud the wisdom Of
the past falls on Unheeding ears.
It is such an easy task that lies before
US If we did but realize it. It Is so
much easier and more pleasant TO travel
the safe and straight path that leads TO
the only real happiness in life. the con-
sciousness OF duty well performed; OF
life well lived, II It were harder TO do
ii might seem. perhaps, better worth the
doing, as it seemed TO Naaman in those
ancient days. It was too easy TO dip him
self into the River Jordan. until his ser
wants came TO him and said:
Ny father. if the prophet bad bid thee do some
great thing wouldst thou not have done it? How
much rather. then, when be saith to thee. Wash
and BE- clean.
The same thing Is true in our social
and industrial as I'm our religious life
The tendency is always 10 want 70 do
some great thing. something that is hard
TO do; that contains some element, per
haps Of the heroic. The real duties Of
life lie on the lower plane. and II were
well for most of us If we could Temem-
ber that they also serve who only stand
and wait"
Il Is not necessary for US 70 rescue
lives, TO do supremelv noble and big
things; what IS far more necessary is
that we should bring all our talents and
industry and hearts 20 bear on the tasks
that have been appointed 10 our strength
The work We are doing whatever Il may
be. that IS the all important thing; that
we should do it as well as It can possibly
be done There is no task so humble but
that IL may be bettered II man put but
some portion Of his very soul into II.
labor with what zeal we vi'l
~emething s'in rgmaiu5 undo1s.
Something uucamrle'eJ stil
Waits the rising Of the sun.
Abana and PharpaT are IN the distance
Our Jordan flows on at our feet No
need TO look beyond the horizon for op-
portunities for duty. they are right here.
As Of old Naaman was told 10 Wash and
be clean" SO we OF to-day are told 10
work and be clean. To do our duty
humbly. 10 live the life that has been
appointed for us I'm cheerfulness Of spirit
in fine hope; coutented with little: be-
Heving much; praying much; working
hard