The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-10-01


In Shushan, the palace Of the Persian King,
we first meet with Nrhrmah nan honorrd
in the providence of God with the accomplish
men Of work which contributed greatly 10
the honor and safety Of the Jewish prople.-
We sre informed that on one occasion Hanani,
and certain men OF Judah, came TO the Persian
court, and Nehemiah, WHO always cherished
lively interest III his own nation and in the CITY
Of his fathers, inquired OF them concerning the
remnant of the Jews late returned from Baby
lonish captivity, and in relation TO Jerusalem,
thpir beloved city. In answer To his Inquiries
he received the mournful Intelligence that his
people though delivered from captivity were
vet in great afIliciion. The darkness was re-
eyed, bot had not passed aWsy. The drsolafious
Of Jerusalem sad TO loo upon The walls
were broken down, and the gates the reof were
burned with fire. Hearing his, Nehemiah Nas
filled with sorrow, and spent certain days in
weeping, fasting, and PRAYER. Moreover he
resolved 10 put forth immediate and earnest FL
forts in behalf OF his people 10 remove their
pToach, and restore their city TO lis former yio-
~. Having obtained the consent Of he King,
and being commissioned as a Governor ot Judah,
ne set out on his Journey, hraIlng with BIN let
tPrs Of great importance 10 The governors beyond
the river.
When he arrived At Jerusalem be first took
& survey ct the city in order to satisfy himself
Of its real condition. and th4n made an earnest
appeal TO the Jews to repair lis ruins that they
might nc longer BE- a rrproach, and exposed to
the hostile nvas!ons OF their enemies. Nchr-
miah received encouragement from his own
people, but was met with The opposition and
sCorn Of certain men ol considerable promi-
nence who were unwilling that anything should
tp done that would contribute 70 The glory,
power, and influence of The Jewish nation
They first thought TO discourage him by repre-
spnting the undertaking as an impracticabr one.
He had not counted the cost. He was about
10 commence { work With the assistance OF a
few dispirit ed, inert Jews, which under such
circumstances cauId never be Accomplished
The very project betrayed the most ConSummatr
ignorance and folly This not succeeding they
thought to deter the Jews from cooperating
with Nehemiah, BY representing the undcr,a-
king as one for which he latter had no author
uv II was an act Of rebellion against the King
Of Persia, and II persisted 10 would involve hem
in certain and complete destruction. To The
SCOTS and threatrnlnas Of these mrn, Nehemiah,
conscious Of th- rigH lo act and confident that
the work, though began in far aud trembling
On the part of thp jews, should be- brought 10 a
hasty completion, replied in thu words OF our
text; "The God OF heaven, he will prosper
u.s. therefore we his servants will arise and
tuild"
These words suggest train OF remarks which,
though general 10 its application, | trust will
mol be inappropriate al this time. coneened as
We are at the request of the "Yonng Mems
Christian Association" Of Bedford, and expect
ed 10 present for your consideration the claims
Of tbs institution upon your sympathies and cor
dial cooperation.
Iremark, in The first pIqcr, tint IRE, as a
christian people, hare a tror'.fo DO. tar ercerd-
'ng IN d'gniiy md Importance tint undrrtnien
and mlteted BY Nehemiah and the Jencish na-
ton.
The church, Of which the ancient Israel was
Type, may, at this period of its history, hr
htiy compared, in many of its aspects, to the
chy OF David, when from the Persian palace
Nehemiah came TO look upon its drsolaiions.-
ihe temple had been rebuilt, but the walls
were broken down, and its gates were burned
WIN hre. II was the honl- Of an afflicted peo-
PIE, surrounded with powerful enemies who, IN
IhF,F malignant haired, opposed every effort
made Tor the re-esiablishment Of the Jews as
nation, IN their own land.
Delivered from bondage infinitely worse,
mat OF Satan and Of sin, the people Of God are
no" found in The Spiritual Jerusalem. Their
temple stands monument Of Gods grace.
me altar is erected, their cheerful sacrifices
are offered, and the ShekInah overShadowS the
mercy-seat. The God Of heaven dwells with
men, and they are blessed with all spiritual bl's-
sings IN heavenly places in Christ Jesus. But
a l. n fall fta ~h. ,rrh
has arisen, ii isstiIl comparatively weak, and
great things remain 10 be done ere the king
1omS OF this world shall become the Kingdoms
Of our Lord and Of his Christ.
ne city Of God established in the earth Is
ys surrounded with spiritual enemies, subject
10 hostile invasions, aud opposed by all the en-
'niy ofdepraved humanity and all the power
81 Inc Prince Of darkness, in its efforts TO ex-
'rnd its limits and add TO its glory. Us walls
v" broken down, and the gates thereof are