e is, or what position he holds--all men
alike have sinned, and all have to bear the same burden of death.
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." All men must
stand in judgment before God. What a gloom that throws over our
whole life!

"_But he was a leper_." There was

NO PHYSICIAN

who could help him in Syria. None of the eminent doctors in Damascus
could do him any good. If he was to get rid of the leprosy, the
power must come from on high. It must be some one unknown to Naaman,
for he did not know God.

But I will tell you what they had in Syria--they had one of God's
children there, and she was a little girl, a simple captive maid,
who waited on Mrs. Naaman. Naaman knew nothing about this little
Israelite, though she was one of his household.

I can imagine that one day, as she was waiting on the general's
wife, she noticed her weeping. Her heart was breaking because of the
dark cloud that rested over her home. So she told her mistress that
there was a prophet in her country that could cure her master of his
leprosy. "Would to God," she said, "my lord were with the prophet in
Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy."

There's faith for you!

She boasted of God that He would do more for this heathen than He
had done for any in Israel; and

GOD HONORED HER FAITH.

"What do you say? A prophet in Israel that can cure leprosy?"

"Yes."

"Why, did you ever know any one that was cured?"

"No."

"Well, then, what makes you think there is a prophet that can cure
leprosy?"

"Oh, that isn't anything to what Elisha can do. There was a little
child that lived near us that died, and he raised him to life. He
has done many wonderful things."

She must have had a reputation for truthfulness. If she hadn't, her
testimony would not have been taken.

Some one told the general of it, and he made it known to the king.
Now, Naaman stood high in the king's favor, for he had recently won
a great victory. He stood near the throne. So the king said:

"You had better go down to Samaria, and see if there is anything in
it. I will give you letters of introduction to the King of Israel."

Yes, he would give Naaman letters of introduction to the king.
That's just man's idea. The notion was, that if anybody could help
him it was the king, and that the king had power both with God and
man. Oh, my friends, it is a good deal better to know a man that
knows God! A man acquainted with God has more