The Law of the Leper
I have read “The Law of the Leper”
with great interest and with no little edification. What pleased me very much
was that the writer did not go into detail on the disease itself. It is very
interesting to note that even Scripture does not do that. Leprosy is leprosy as
sin is sin. We are not only guilty before God for sin as it appears in kind and
in repeated acts, but for sin as it is in essence. For this reason leprosy,
according to Leviticus, was to be diagnosed objectively. It is not what the
patient feels or says, but what the priest sees and states, that counts. That
which is used for the leper’s cleansing is also objectively applied from
without, as nothing wells up form within that can cleanse him. The leper’s
return to the camp depends not upon his own desire, not upon the will of those
in the camp, but upon God’s decree to which the priest must strictly adhere. In
like manner we are sinners not because we may or may not feel to be such, bur
because God says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans
3:23.
The spiritual application of this
exceedingly interesting Old Testament description of the leper and his
cleansing is, I think, sound and fully covered by New Testament scripture
proof. The whole treatise magnifies God’s power in our salvation and teaches us
man’s utter inability to save himself.
May the Lord bless this booklet
for the coming of His glorious kingdom in showing sinners that without Christ
we can do nothing.
Lee S. Huizenga, (M.D.)
Shanghi, China, Nov. 29, 1938.
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As the pictures in this book are
now in the printer’s hands to be reproduced in scroll form, in color, it seemed
well to print a second edition of it. A few minor additions have been made.
Hong Kong, May 5, 1953.
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The following pages were prepared
at the suggestion of a Chinese brother, for publication in Chinese. They are
now sent forth in English with the hope that they may be a help to some who are
not at home in Chinese writings, but who wish to know what the Chinese addition
contains. It is hoped also that they may be for the edification of the Church
of God at large.
An effort has been made to make
this beautiful picture clear to those who have not had the privilege of knowing
the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and so may not be so much at home in them
as those should be, who have been brought up in Christian lands. To some this
will make the present exposition seem unduly verbose, and filled with needles
repetition. A somewhat peculiar style may also be noticed. The article has,
however, been left unchanged in spite of these defects, and we would ask our
English readers to bear in mind that there pages were written for their Chinese
brethren, and to have patience with what may not appeal to themselves.
Perhaps a word should be added
with regard to the illustrations. They have been prepared by Mr. Tang Chin
Tsang, with suggestions from the writer, who gladly acknowledges that he has
learned much from them, and their preparation. It is hoped that they may not be
despised by some who might regard them as only suited for a child’s picture
book. It is scarcely to be hoped that they are correct in every detail, but it
is hoped that they may convey suggestions and ideas that otherwise might be
passed over. The importance of the unnamed friend who does so much for the
leper would probably have been missed had we not seen him appear so often in
the pictures.
The pictures, like the rest of the book, were prepared for Chinese work, and so when two pictures appear in one block, it will be noted they must be read from right to left.
Note: The booklet contained
many hand drawn pictures, used to illustrate what the author was writing about.
These pictures are not yet included in this article.