Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-16
In the Religious World
nv Will AN rIJrs
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

It is possible to live great life In q
small place.
No mistaken modssty kept this
Hebrew maiden from bearing wit
ness to her fAikh. Doubtless her
heart was in her mouth a. she said
to Naaman's wife Would that my
Lord were with the prophet that II in
6Rmaria! then would he recover him
of his leprosy." That ray Of hope
flashed through Naaman's household.
and into the most sacred precincts
of the royal palace Itself, and reach
ed the ears Of the king.
OF course the king knew only ono
way of putting the idea into execu-
ton: he sent formal embassy to
the king of Israel.
CONSERVATION fell upon Israel
wien this extraordinary embassy
come from Syria, with It's message
that Naaman should be cured of his
leprosy. The king, in terror, rent
hts clothes, crying, Am God, to
kill and to make alive?" Politically,
the whole affair looked like a trick
to embroil the Jews in war
The General at the Preachers Door.
While panic possessed the court,
Elisha, the successor to Eiijah, step
ped forward with tho aodao6oas
word which nevertheless brought
relief to the kins-'Let him como
now to me, and no shah know that
there Is . prophet In Israel" When
ever the Representatives Of religion
arc prompt and hold and outstanding,
and ready to assume their ohliga-
tions and leadership, the good repute
Of the cause rises at once. Elisha
like true prophet, ssized every OPP
portunity to vindicate his God.
What sensation was created one
day when in front Of Elisha's poor
house halted magnificent process
SIGN! There were Syrian soldiers in
brave array, as glittering escort.
There were servants besides, and
splendid camels bearing gifts. In the
center Of 1t all was the golden chariot
of the great Naaman himself. Was
ever before such q call upon q poor
preacher?
But, look! The prophet does not
rush out and PROSTATE himself be-
fore all his pomr and power and
wealth. Elisha belonged to that lar
ger body of preachers who have never
learned how to grovel before worldly
position. He bowed much before God,
but he stood upright before men. So
the naughty Naaman is kept standing.
After a time there comes out from
the humble dwelling message
the prophet himself. but only 4 mes
sage-to the effect that the leper
should 80 and wash seven times In
tho Jordan.
a Patient Angry with the Doctor.
Now we come to the nub Of the
story. The great lesson is in what
followed. For Naaman was wroth that
he, the mighty general should have
been treated In this casual manner.
This Hebrew prophet had not paid due
honor to his position. He has expected
q great hocus-pocus over his leprosy-
signs, incantations, charms. exorcisms
only satisfaction given him was q
curt word, sent by messenger, to go
and bathe seven times in dirty Jew
ish river! He thought of the clear
sparkling ALBANIA river, which flows
through the streets of Damascus, and
he contrasted It with the muddy flow
OF the Jordon, and its indignation in
creased.
Right here comes the sticking
point in all matters Of personal dis
cipleship Men want Gods healing
from sin, but they want 1t in their
own way, with full recognition Of
their rank. We who are in any wise
MISUNDERSTANDING everybody thinks
that he is-do not want calvation in
the same way as the heather. We
would have God show Himself sensi-
BILE of the honor we have done Him
by calling upon Him, Naaman fish
ION. And we would have Him pay
especial heed to our case. No simple
"G0-wash" will suffice for us. Most
Of us prefer to seek healing in the
clear and convent waters Of Dam
ascus.
All, Neaman, they who seek Gods
favor must accept 1t on His terms.
With Him the great general Is on the
same plane as the little child. Saliva
ton is simple. But it can be not only
In Gods way. Naaman would go to
the grave a ]eper unless he first
went to the Jordon and washed seven
times. In token of full obedience and
faith. And still the worlds cleansing
from sin is in the crimson stream that
flows from Calvary. And, thanks tc
servants wiser than himself in this
matter, Naaman decided to follow the
prophets instructions, and so he wa:
made clean and whole.
What combination Of circun
stances go into this one healing--as II
IN oyory othor work NJ Cod IN cart h