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to remain in that miserable state for ever: and that, because he would not try the prophet's simple remedy. So they came up to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had bade thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it ? how much rather then, when he saith to thee,“ Wash and be clean.”

These were wise words, and Naaman listened to them. He went down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

E. Oh how glad he must have been that he listened to the advice of his servants !

M. Glad, indeed, my child; and thankful, I rejoice to say, for what had been done for him. He is now no longer a leper, and, O better still, no longer unbelieving. The miracle wrought upon his body has also worked a cure as wonderful in his soul : all his high thoughts of himself are gone; he sees and adores the hand of the living God.

He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.”. Nor did the grateful Naaman think it enough to show his thankfulness by words. He entreated the prophet to allow him to leave such a present with him as should prove, at least in part, how deeply he felt the kindness that had been done to him. The once haughty Syrian cannot now sufficiently honour the servant of the living God. Hear his humble words, 6 Now therefore, I pray thee take a blessing of thy servant

E. And did he give Elisha great presents, mammal

M. He would, my love, have left with him gladly all the treasures which he had brought with him from his own land, but Elisha would take nothing from him. His great wish was to glorify his Master in heaven, by making his almighty power to be felt. He had no desire by the miracles which he worked to buy riches for himself.

The blessings he had to give, were such as all the gold of Arabia could not buy. He was more than rewarded for what he had done, when he heard Naaman say, "Now know I that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel:" when he thought that he would go back to his own country declaring the great things God had done for him: and that led by him, his family and many of his countrymen might be brought to the knowledge of the true God. This was reward enough for a mind like Elisha's.

E. Did Naaman go away when he found that the prophet would take nothing from him?

M. Yes; he set out on his way home, carrying with him the blessing of the prophet. But before he went, he gave Elisha another proof that he had not only been healed in his body, but in his soul also; for he begged to be allowed to carry away with him some of the earth under his feet, intending to build of what he looked upon as holy ground, an altar to the Lord God of Israel; declaring that from that time he would never offer a sacrifice unto any other god, but unto the Lord only.

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY EVENING.

GEHAZÍ, OR THE COVETOUS SERVANT.

E. Does the Bible give us any account of Naaman after he got back to his own country?

M. No, my love; we hear nothing of him after he left the land of Israel; we can only fancy the joy of his wife and family, of his king, and of all his friends, when they found he was no longer a leper : we can imagine, too, how kindly the little maid was treated who had told her mistress of the prophet; and we may hope that Naaman did not forget what great things God had done for him, and that he and his family from that time worshipped the God of Israel. All this we may imagine and hope: but we cannot speak with any certainty of these things, as the Bible tells us nothing upon the subject.

E. Then have you quite done with the history of Naaman, mamma?

M. There is one thing more which I must mention to you before we quite take our leave of this mighty Syrian captain. You remember how Elisha refused to take any present from him?

E. Yes, mamma; but I do not quite see why he did not take some of the riches that Naaman offered him; for Elisha seems to have been very poor; and if he had been rich, he might have been more comfortable himself, and he might, you know, have done so much good.

M. So it seems to you, my love; but Elisha knew

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prophet, by the respect which he paid even to his servant.

He was, however, surprised to see Gehazi running after him, and anxious to know if all was well. Something might have happened in the short time that had passed since he left Elisha's door.

E. What did Gehazi tell him, mamma?

M. He told him, my love, that his master had sent after him to beg him for two changes of raiment, and some silver, not for himself, but for two of the sons of the prophets, who had just come to him in great distress.

E. But was that true, mamma?

M. No, my love, it was a shocking falsehood, made up merely to deceive Naaman, and to make him think it likely that he was really sent by Elisha. Naaman might easily believe that although the man of God cared not for riches for his own sake, he might be very glad to be able to help his fellow-creatures.

You see again in the case of Gehazi, how quickly one sin is followed by another. Gehazi began by admiring the treasures of Naaman; before he has time to think of what he is about, his lips have been defiled with falsehoods, and his hands with unlawful gains.

E. Then Naaman gave him some of his treasures ?

M. Yes, Naaman gave him twice as much in money as he had ventured to ask for, and two changes of raiment, and sent two of his own servants to carry them home for him. And as soon as they had come near his master's door, Gehazi took the things from them, and put them away secretly in the house. Then

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