the tabernacle or temple of God. And so, those who have the guilt of sin upon them, uncleansed, untaken away, are far from God, far from his favour and from his blessing; and if they die in that state, they must be far from heaven and happiness for ever.

But how was Naaman cured? Not in his own way, but in God's way; and that way was very easy and simple-only to "wash and be clean." And so, dear children, we can be cleansed and cured of sin only in one way which God himself has appointed. There is no way we can find out to cure ourselves. Our own goodness, our

own works, our own righteousness, will never do. We must be penitent, and humble, and believing,

and just do what God tells us to do in his word; and then we shall be cured, and not till then. And what is it that God tells us to do? Of what may the river Jordan, which cleansed Naaman, remind us? I think it may remind us of the "fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness." (Zech. xiii. 1.) Our souls must be washed in that, and they will be made clean. You know what is meant by this fountain; it is "the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth from all sin." (1 John i. 7.)

HYMN.

Rock of ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flow'd,
Be of sin the double cure;

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labour of my hands
Can fulfil thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Vile, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eye-lids close in death;
When I rise to worlds unknown-
See thee on thy judgment-throne—
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.

QUESTIONS.

Where was Syria, and what was its

chief city?

Who was Naaman ?

How was he afflicted?

In what part of the Bible may we read the laws concerning leprosy?

How did Naaman first hear of Elisha the prophet?

What did Elisha desire Naaman to do in order that he might be cured of his leprosy ?

Why did this displease Naaman ?

Did he attend to Elisha's directions afterwards?

What followed?

What lesson may we learn from the little maid?

Of what should Naaman's disease and cure remind us?

Repeat a text which tells us how sin may be cleansed.

DANGER FROM ASSYRIA.

I TOLD you that I should only mention a few of the many interesting stories in Elisha's history; and so we will pass on to-day to other persons and other things. Only I must advise you to read for yourselves those chapters which tell us more about him, in 2 Kings iii.—ix.; and, again, the account of his death, in chapter xiii. I think you will see, from his history, that his request was granted, and that a double portion of Elijah's spirit

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