Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-16

to spread. 1t flew like a white winged
messenger of Joy from housetop to
housetop. "ITave you heard the news?"
asked one neighbor of another. why,
our long lost friend has been cleansed
of his leprosy. Come, let us so up
and give our hand OF love and join this
happy family circle. Oh. the good
news the good news. Come, let us
go up and tell how we have nourned
for him and how we glory in his won
derful cure" Then I think the neigh
bors spoke to each other Now I see
them fastening 10 the home. Some
knock and others rush right in. These
nelghhors squeeze his hand; they pat
his cheek; they laugh and weep for
joy. Can you. o man, thank God for
your many friends who are living un-
der the shadow Of your home today2
When we were sick did not our
friends come in to nurse us and to
bring the dellcacles? When we lost
child and the undertaken hung the
black Grape upon our door, have not
our loving. sympathizing friends como
in to stand by our side at the cssket7
When we were In financial trouble, II
we were honest and true, have they not
always been willing to come to our as
sistnnce? Have they not always been
true to US in times OF sorrow as well
as In times Of JOY? once read Of an
old Danish captain who gave battle to
an English frigatc. After the battle
had been raging for some time n flag
OF truce was raised, and the old cap
tain In a rowboat pulled over to the
English frigate and made this strange
request He said: "My powder has run
out. Will you please furnish me some
Of Your powder, and we will continue
to fight" VOL, no one ever heard of q
man going to an enemy for help, but
we have beard of his going to his
friends. All, yes, our friends In the
past have helped us again and again
md again. Thank God for your friendsl
Thank God for noble. true hearted,
brave, self sacrificing friends.
The Altar of God.
Again. this cleansed lepcr must have
been thankful that the doors of the
temple were once more opened to give
him a welcome to the altar Of God. In
olden times. lcprosy was looked upon
as the symbol Of heinous sin. Thus the
poor lepcr not only felt that he was
barred from fellowship with man, but
also from communion with Cod Me-
thinks can see these lepers some Sab
bath day gathering upon one Of the
hillsides near to Jerusalem. The serv
ice is going on within the sacred walls.
The music, which cannot be crcum-
scrihed by four walls, drifts through
the hills. The poor lepers are listening
to the sweet psalms. AS the choir
sings, they think of the time when they
used 10 gather in the temple with the
worshipcrs And methinks I see the
tears rain down their parched cheeks
rs they weep and cry: 80 Lord. why
hast thou shut me ont from thy love?
Why am barred from thy holy wor-
ship: WIZ thou never again speak to
me in tones Of pity and pardon? Wilt
thou never forgive me my past sinst"
Then when Jesus cured the poor sick
man of his leprosy he seemed to say:
"Son. thy sins are forgiven thee! Thou
nre welcome now to Join in public
worship. Thou mayest now 90 into
the temple and sing Gods praises.
Though thy sins are rs scarlet, yet
they shall become white rs snow"
Thus / hear the poor leper cry: Lord,
l thank thee that when thou. hast
cleansed NE Of my leprosy thou hast
forgiven me my sins. | thank thee,
Lord. I thank thee" Today can You
not glorify God like the poor lcper,
because Christ by his atoning blood
has made it possible for You to be
cleansed Of all Your past iniquities, so
that In the sight of God you can be
pure through his word?
pIotting Ou. Sin.
Oh, the power of the blood Of Jesus
to blot out sin, Who has tongue clio
Qucnt enough to fully describe il:
There is beautiful story told that
many years ago a woman came to her
pastor bemcaning her sins. "Thcy arc
heavy burden" she said. They are
like load Of wet sand The minister
Nh'"iu "iNi "Sst',''i' nav Ou ever
been On that strip Of SAND by the bca-
conf" lie ASKED ooh. yes; many
times" she said. Go there now"
said he, and dis. Pile the wet sand
ZIP into great mound I,,e it rs hig,
% you can and ton sc2 WAT becomes
Of IT. "Ah," cIcl&imod t,lc pcnltcnt
woman, 81 know what you mean. The
flowing tide VIII come and wash it al
away" Yes" said the minister 50
The blood of Jesus Christ cen was
away all your Sins. though they M,
be as infinite II number as the sand
Of the sea" Like the poor burdenc
woman and Ike the l"per who VIZ
c!cansed of his fatal scales. should ne
you thank God that by the death c
his only bogottcn Son it Is possible f.
you to be clrunscd # all sin:
We wonder what the later life of tina.
leper was, DID his gratitude eyhaus'
itself in that lord voice with which ~
glorifed God! We cannot think So
Day by day a. he wont around t.
Aealth and strength he would remer
ler who it was chat save Aim his neY
life and would strive 70 live in accor;'
ancc with Ch;lsts tcachlng. Is no
that our duty; Shall We praise hr
for Inlivn,,i,,c nc T-.1-1, CT n,,T tIop