Pueblo chieftain., 1922-02-11
Why The Captain Got Mad.

From the royal palace of Israel,
where he had been received in full
/ some state, Captain Naamah was sent,
| with outrlders and attendant horse
men and chariots. to the humble home
OF Elisha. Can't you imagine tho
commotion in the neighborhood as all
this fuss and feathers moved from the
palace to the preachers abode? This
proud Syrian warrior was FATHER arro-
CANT, as he called in condescension
but, he was met with dignity that
was more impressive, Naaman expect
ed to be received with obeouiousncss,
and he knew not what sort of hocus-
pocus Of miracle-working stage.play.
Instead, az if to rebuke his pride, the
prophet did not deign to 20 to the
door himself. but sent his one servant,
or disciple, Gehazi, with the simple
message that the leper should 60 and
bathe seven times in the River Jordan.
In Elisha's eyes, Naaman was only
leper needing cleansing.
At that, the Syrian warrior "blew
VI" His anger was unrestraincd:
all the ragamuffins of the street could
see it. Such an answer, in such n man.
ncr, was an affront. The idea he,
the great Naaman, going off to the
muddy Jordan to dip himself, when
there was more of cleansing in the
beautiful waters of Damascus. Not
he! Just so have the proud of earth
always scoffed at Gods offer of saliva
ton, because of its very simplicity.
Nevertheless. Gods help can be had
only on Gods terms. 1t is not the
merit Of the method, but the obedience
TO the Divine will, that brings saliva
tion.
Fortunately, in Naaman's company
there were those more rational than
he, with clearer eve TO the essential,
and they persuaded him to bathe in
the Jordan. when he emerged. with
flesh ''like the flesh Of little child".
Can We imagine the rejoicing1 A few
months ago the Newspapers carried
dispatch from Hawaii, describing the
wonderful scenes of religious thanks
giving and rejoicing that accompanied
the release from leper colony of
large group Of former lepers. who had
been cured by the new form of treat
ment with chalmoogra oil. The read
ing Of the article brought tears to the
eyes: it almost pictured the welcome
of the ransomcd from the doom of sin.
Such was the excitement by Jordan's
banks over the miraculous cure of
Naaman, by the power Of Jehovah.
The Religious Crater
In all lands. and of all creeds and
colors and conditions, VIC find gentle
men born. NaAman was one such, and
contrast 10 the nine lepers whom Ia
ter Jesus healed. lie returned humbly
gratefully, to Elisha's door ready 10
reward magnificently. But Elisha
would have none of his gifts. Let God
have the glory. The incident was too
sacred and exalted for it to become
matter of profit. There rs n stern les
son here for GALL commercializcd evan
gclists. No minister eau honorably
grow rich by the preaching of the
Gospel. At least once year there
should be brave sermon in every
theological seminary upon the story Of
Naaman's experience with Elisha and
Gehazi.
Gehazi was a CRATER. He succumb
ed 10 the oricntnl's decp-bedded love
OF money; and to the temptation
which always attaches to office-hold-
ing, TO profit pccuniarily. Gehazi
was Elisha's disciple and probable
successor. More prophets arc wrecked
by love of money than by all the other
six deadly sins combined. Gchazi
could not bear to see this opportunity
for gain disdaincd. so he followed az
ter Naaman and got two suits Of
clothes and two talents of silver. OF
course he had no deliberate intention
of compromising his masters honor:
or Of furnishing, in the eyes of this Sy-
rian, the lusicr of the name of Israel's
God: or Of chcapcning holy transac-
tion. He thought only of the moment
and of the money: and so Welded to
the tcmptcr's voice.
"Bc mine and sins FOR one short
hour. and then
Be all thy life the happiest man of
men,
IL
Poor fool! He was playing the old
est, stupidcst and most futile game
of all-that Of trying to deceive God.
The price he paid was the r-uin of all
present and his future. plus the lcpro-
sy of Naaman. As one commentator
writes. go heavy talents of Gehazi!
oh. the horror of tho one unchance-
able suitl How much better would
have bc<i a light purse and homelv
coat, with sound body and clean
soul