SAY, in what doth it profit the warrior bold
That his king and his country admire;
That his name is revered, that his prowess is told
To the wondering son by his sire?
Can his well-earned laurels, his riches, his leas,
All the honors his sovereign can give,
Loose the fetters, that, bound by a loathsome disease,
To great Naaman, the Syrian, cleave.
No! the fearful disease is now taking its course,
In this case human skill is in vain:
And, alas the brave sufferer knows not the Source
From whence only relief he can gain.
But a Judean stranger, a captive young maid,
Brings the news to his wondering ear;
That her God, and he only, can meet his deep need,
And his stricken heart solace and cheer.
From the depths of despair now his head he can lift,
For a faint ray of hope he can see;
But with silver and gold he, would purchase the “gift”
That’s so priceless, abundant, and free.
Thus the sinner, when brought to behold himself lost,
Quite appall’d at the terrible view,
He is willing, like Naaman, to pay all the cost, —
Yes, like Naaman, “some great thing”to do.
Then he brings forth his “good works,”his prayers, his sighs,
With his vows, frames and feelings, and tears;
But as well might he offer the Syrian’s gold,
To obtain a release from his fears.
All these things, as foundation for peace, are as dross,
For in this Christ alone can avail;
He once offered himself for our sins on the cross,
And his sacrifice never can fail.
So the legalist’s righteousness well may be classed
With Abana and Pharpar of yore;
In Abana and Pharpar might Naaman have washed,
Yet he must have remained as before.
Yes, ‘tis humbling to flesh — only “wash, and be clean!”―
Thus God’s ways are too simple for man;
For his leprosy only to God lie must bring,
And he needs must submit to his plan.
Naaman calls on the prophet who forthwith commands,
That in Jordan he “wash, and be clean;”
But, enraged, he remarks, that his own native land
Possessed streams to which Jordan was mean.
He had well-nigh foregone, in the pride of his fame,
The rich blessing so ardently sought;
And, accustomed to homage, believed that his name,
Should the seer to his presence have brought.
Fierce but brief is the struggle, — no longer his pride
In the way of his cleansing is seen;
Now, in simple obedience, he enters the tide,
And the poor defiled leper is clean.
But how great the delight, when his wife, when his king,
Shall behold the loved hero restored;
Outward type of the cleansing effected within,
For their Naaman now worshipped the Lord.
M. F.