June 18

I will, be thou clean.—Luke 5:13.

AMONG the diseases to which our afflicted hu- manity is liable, there are none more distressing than that of leprosy. It not only covered the body with a cutaneous disease, but it also affected the whole internal system, giving to the breath a most offen- sive and effluvia thereby rendering agreeable inter- course with society utterly impossible. The disease of leprosy is fully described to us in the book of Leviticus, and there we see the ordinances which God appointed in reference to it. Now it came to pass as Jesus was in a certain city, a man afflicted with leprosy fell down before him, crying "Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Jesus then put forth his hand and touched him, saying, "I will, be thou clean." No doubt this leper had heard of Christ, and had therefore concluded that he was the Messiah, and as such he addressed him, and believed in his power to deliver him from his leprosy. He said "Lord," thus acknowledging his divine mission and authority. "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." "I do not doubt thy efficacy even to cleanse me, totally defiled as I am; if thou only wilt exert that power I am firmly persuaded of my recovery." Jesus then "touched" him, not afraid of infection, nor of the ceremonial pollution attached to the touching of a leper, and then said "I will, be thou clean." The man's faith stumbled at Christ's willingness, Jesus therefore said, "I will," thus his love and compassion were equal to his ability, and instantly the man was cleansed. The internal disease was stayed, the polluted breath was made pure, and the leprous skin was changed, and became as the flesh of a little child.