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A Compromise

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 8, 1857

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 10, No. 23.

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A Compromise.

By Joseph Clarke

"AND Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing." 2 Kings v, 17, 18.
Naaman had been healed of leprosy, by a miracle, and he now clearly saw that he was under great obligation to worship God alone. His convictions of duty prompted him to leave idol worship for that of Jehovah.
But difficulties arose too great for him to overcome. His business as an officer in an idolater's court must be given up, if he should come out against idol-worship. His income, his ambitious designs, all must be given up; and if he should refuse to attend his master into the house of Rimmon, he perhaps must be consigned to poverty and contempt. But Naaman was conservative in his views. He probably held altruism in religious matters, as superstitious, and fanatical. Just here he thought of an "amicable adjustment," and by going between, he should avoid extremes, and by taking a quantity of earth from Judea for an altar, and sacrificing thereupon, he flattered himself that he might propitiate Jehovah, while he at the same time was outwardly sharing in the worship of Rimmon. In this, Naaman resembled many modern Naamans, who ask if God will not be merciful, even if they are disobedient to the fourth command, especially as they are zealous in Sunday-schools &c., and that all that they are doing surely must save them. Surely all this mountain of labor will not be lost. These charitable, missionary, tract, Bible, and other societies, surely will be owned of God. God will not notice so small a thing as this Sabbath matter. Oh, if modern Naamans could only see how they resemble Naaman the Syrian! Oh, for eyes to see, for ears to hear, and hearts to understand.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Portage, Wood Co. Ohio.