Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-08

AS text is given; by the Grace
OF God. I am what am Cor. xV.
10.
We are taught in our theology that
sfGrace Is a supernatural aid or gift
from God" We also know that grace
may be actual or transient, and ha-
bitual or sanctifying. Actual or tram
eient grace is the supernatural en-
lightenment Of the understanding and
inspiration OF the will to shun evil
and to do good. While habitual or
sanetifying grace is that quality
which makes the soul holy and pleas
fng to God. Habituaf grace is the re-
suit Of cooperation with actual grace
We are aware of the fact that a
large class of people scott at the idea
OF grace and in fact of the teachings
Of Christianity generally. And would
fain do away with all Christian teach
ing. They remind US of the old man
who went to q menagerie for the
first time. and beholding a giraffe
eating from the top of nearby tree.
examined the animal carefully and
then exclaimed There amt no sich
animal" He had never seen 1t before,
therefore ii did not exist and was a
fake.
So, often times it is with those who
oppose Christianity and Christian edu
cation. They have never experienced
its influence have observed it only
superficially or not at all, and come
20 the conclusion that it is a fit sub
ject for the fanatics and insane. And
when we speak Of grace they cry
most loudly, There amt no sich an
fmal"
Perhaps one of the best examples
of actual as well as habitual grace
is given to us in the fourth book of
Kings, where we read most interest
ing account of how Naaman was cur
ed of the dread disease of leprosy
1t runs briefly as follows: Naaman
was great general in the army of
the king of Syria. He had been in
strumental in freeing Syria and was
therefore looked up to and made
much of. lie was also rich. and being
a favorite with the king was a man
of great Importance.
But Naaman was afflicted with the
dread disease-leprosy, and above all
his desires was that of being freed
from the horrible disease Among the
captives taken by the Syrians was a
little maid who. was given to Naa-
mans wife to wait upon her This
little maid. learning of Naman's lep-
rosy, said, "Oh If he might only see
the prophet in Israel, he would be
cured" Her faith was so great that
It finally had its effect on Naamah
and at length he went to his king
and asked for q letter to the king
OF Israel in order that he might meet
the prophet of Syria and receive
treatment.
When Naaman came to the king
of Israel, the king was frightened
and angry. He thought the king of
Syria meant to use the inability of
the prophet to cure Naaman as an
excuse for war. But the prophet Eli
seus sent word to the king of Israel
TO send Nanman to him. Naaman
went and was told to go wash in the
river Jordan seven times.
AT first Naaman was indignant.
Were not the rivers ALBANIA and Phar-
phar Of Damascus as good IL not bet
ter than the river Jordan? Why
should this insignificant phophet
send him--the great Naaman such
word? Could he not at least come and
see him, But Naaman's servants pre-
vailed upon him to at least try the
bathing, and at length he conceded
TO their wishes, and 10. Naaman was
completely cured.
No sooner had this miracle of ac-
tual grace come to Naaman than he
made Il habitual by cooperating with