The Dermott news., 1915-10-14

Read carefully the intervening
Scripture following last Sundays les
son to get the account OF Elisha's &C
tivities. There Is recorded the story
OF the poisoned fountain t2:19-22).
The 'hoodlum" gang wv. 23, 2D
which is u story for boys. Note:
Elisha had nothing to do with the
bears. nor does the record say that
the bears killed the boys. Next the
story of the Widows OH CAD. FL
rally, the suggestive stories Of the
Shunammite woman (vv. $50, and
the feeding of the prophets aud the
people wv. $50.
Now we come to Elshas most fl
nous experience, that with Naaman Of
Damascus. This city is reputed to be
the oldest in the world and is situated
about 100 miles (air line) northeast of
Samaria. This event probably oc-
Cured between 90i and S94 b. G.
|. A Ministry in the Home, w. II.
Naaman had all that heart could wish.
seemingly. Exalted, rich, great
man, honorable and successful in his
undertakings, but he was leper.
AS such he Is type OF the sinner
Leprosy begins practically in secret
Is transmissblo. may be ameliorated
but cannot be cured by man. In his
home was one who knew the Lord
one who observed, who loved as well
as served. This maid was true serv-
ant. for she showed her master how
to be rid of his malady. For all OF his
wealth Naaman was not happy. lie
knew and others would soon know his
condition. His wife could not help
him, and did not take the maids mes
sage to him. Perhaps she did not
rightly value It. But there was CO
operation in that household evidently
for one went in and told his lord
". A.. There was also cooperation
between the home and the govern
ment, for the king of Syria sent let
ter to the king OF Israel ". 81. The
strength of any nation is in proper
ton To tho strength. unity and 10y
atty of its homes. 1t is also in pro
portion to the care and interest which
that government takes in its homes
II. A Mnlstcring Prophet wv. S-1il.
The king of Syria thought he could
buy everything. including the desired
cure tvv. B, O.. His letter brought
great CONSERVATION to lsraels king
probably Jehoram. The value of the
gifts presented, perhaps over 100000,
revealed the urgency of the case. But
a. IN, ,al -hn u-p N
disturbed for he knew more fully the
power OF Jehovah. Elisha is type
OF Christ who offers not only TO all
lepers but to every unfortunate one
rest" Matt 11:2s.30. Elisha re-
sponded to the need OF the nation
". s.. as we'll as to the need OF
Naaman the leper. when he volun-
teered to become the champion of Je-
hovah " y.
The prince came. however. filed
with sense OF his Importance and
his pride stood in the way OF his re-
lief, hence the manner OF Elisha
treatment Waiting thus before the
prophets door Naaman is Il type OF
the great OF this earth who shall yet
bow before Gods people lisa 60 l-3l
and before his Son phil. 2 1917. by
human arguments Naaman was right
Nv f2l and his rage was Justified, but
ne must learn that as suppliant
ne cannot dictate means nor methods.
The rich and cultured sinner cannot
select his own way of healing. nor be
.rcatcd any differently than the poor
and the ignorant The river Jordan
,sa type of the Judgment on sin. Sin
must be judged by confession tRom.
1919. ISL. Sin must be renowned
before we can be cleansed Il Cor. IL:
81: John 1:9l. II was slow. a
patient. public process through
which Naaman must pass. but such
mad been the development of leprosy
In his life God had judged sin on
Calvary Rom. SIS; IL Cor 5t2l; Gal.
IBID and as Naaman went down in
The Jordan he took. in figure. the sin
nCrs place, even as Jesus later took
that place for us, Matt. ; 1879.
Though inclined to act the fool, yet
Naaman wisely hardened to his serv-
ant ". ~ and obeyed the command
" the prophet.
His cure came because he obeyed
jehovah lal He heard of ono who
could cure ". 81; tbl he believed
". A.: tcl he forsook his own
thoughts ". III; Cd he accepted
Gods thoughts and methods wv. 10,
4 IA: tel he took the sinners place
4 tvv. 10. ~ 60 he became clean after
his obedience wv, II. l5l.
There is evidence of great moral
effect in the life OF Naaman following
this experience wv. 1870.
He became an open reflector OF the
/ heather gods and professed follow
er OF Jehovah when he returned to
/ Damascus
As such he became the ministering
| prince.
III. The Ministering Prince. CD BY
| public profession tsee Rom. 1919, 10;
Matt. 10 32) (2) BY a peculiar request
/ which became a great object lesson in