HYMN. Behold the throne of grace! My soul, ask what thou wilt; Since his own blood for thee he spilt, Thine image, Lord, bestow, Teach me to live by faith, Conform my will to thine; Let me victorious be in death, QUESTIONS. What was Elijah's last journey? How did they go through the river Jordan? What did Elijah say to Elisha just before they parted? What was Elisha's answer? In what way was Elijah taken to heaven? Do we read anything further of him in the Bible? What were the first miracles which God gave Elisha power to perform? Tell me two things which we may from this part of Elisha's history. learn Is it right for us to desire great things? what kind of things? If so, What was the great desire expressed by St. Paul? THE LAND OF SYRIA. In our story to-day, I must refer you to another part of the map. North of Canaan you will find a country called Syria. The capital was Damascus, a city of which we read frequently in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. The king and people of Syria were often at war with Israel; and, in one of their battles they took away among their captives a little Israelitish maid, and brought her to the land of Syria. The captain of the Syrian army was called Naaman. He was a great man in his own country, and with his king; he was very rich, very powerful, and very much honoured by his master. It so happened that this little girl was brought to his house, and she waited upon Naaman's wife. Now, I must tell you that there was one thing which made Naaman unhappy, and spoiled all his enjoyments; so that he was miserable, notwithstanding his riches and honours-he was a leper. You have often heard of lepers in the Bible. In the New Testament, we read of several whom Jesus himself cured by his touch, or by his word. And this showed his almighty power, for the leprosy was a disease which no human skill could cure; no physician, no medicine, could take it away. Perhaps, before we go on with Naaman's story, it may be well for me to tell you a little more about this dreadful disease, and about the laws which God himself made respecting it. It The leprosy was a disease which covered the body with sores. made the person who had it unclean, according to the Jewish law; so that he was obliged to live apart by himself, and was not allowed to come into the congregation of God's people, nor to appear in God's house. It was the office of the priests to examine the leper, and to pronounce him unclean; and when the leprosy was cured, |