Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1861-06-12

NJ
church in this contest, lknow that
the whole church north and south
can do much to stop this ungodly
strife; and Is it not time, and does
not duty and humanity call upon
every one to speak and act when
there is SO much involved? But
whether we can have such united
action or not, or tho United States
will push forward this war or for
bear, il is our duty TO prepare to
defend our rights, which. are now
and have been 40 uninstly invaded
Therefor, in he language OF iHr
subject. " Bc not afraid OF thom, pc
member Tho Lord which is great
aud terrible, and fight COR your
brethren, your sons, and .ow
daughters, your wives aud yonr
houses
These ARE the words pI the r.oga
Nehemiah, when engaged in build
ing the walls of Jerusalem. San
ballat, the Governor of Samaria,
Tobiah, tho Ammonitc and the
Arabians, and the Ashdothitcs, took
great Indignation, and mockcd the
Jews in this undertaking. AL
though they were engaged in the
work of the Lord, and were doing
what lie had commanded them
Hear what they had to say: "What
do these feeble Jews? Will they
fortify themselves? Will they sac
rifcc? Will they make an end in
n day? Will they receive tho
stones out of the rubish which are
buricd?" And "evcn that which
they build if n fox go up, he shall
even break down their, stone wall. "
The whole enterprise was perfectly
ridiculous in their estimation; they
thought the Jews had neither the
men nor the means for such an un
dertaking. 1t was all talk and
show, and instituting in their midst
an acknowledgment of the govern
mcnt and worship Of the true God,
in opposition to their dcgl AIDED sys-
tens of pagan worship, against
which they were at war, and for
which they had no sympathy
They, therefore, scorned the under
taking as childish, foolish, and in
iquitous. Yet, by the directions of
Nehemiah, the work progressed,
and the people had mind to mork.
Sanballot and his advisers, con-
spired against them, plotted their
destruction in secret, and resolved
to make war upon them. Nehe-
miah prayed to God, placed his
men for tho defense of his people
and the protection of their rights
Looked up, put himself and his
cause under the Divine protection,
placed his watch, and then address
ed the mobiles, the rulers, and the
rest of the people: "Be not ye
afraid of them, remember the Lord
which is great and terrible, and
fight for your brethren, your sons,
and your dauhters, your wives and
your houses"
As if he had said, courage
my workmcn, my mobiles and rul-
crs, VIC have commenced great
work-a work in which God will
be honored and his cause vindica-
ted; it must be accomplished; let
no discouragcments or threats of
approaching dangers intimidate
you; no time now for indecision,
complaints or division in the ranks
of Israel, but watch and pray, work
and fight for your defense. God is
with YOU and for you, who is great
and terrible. He is your strength,
and will be your defenscin the day of
battle. The workmen progressed
with the building, with sword in
hand, or girded by their side,
whilst half of them held the spears
from the rising of the morning un-
til the stars appeared. 1 neca only
remark that God brought to naught
the counsels and wicked purposes
of their enemies.
AS with Nehemiah, and the cause
in which he was engaged, SO with
us in the South. We are engaged
in great work, it is the cause Of
independence and the maintenance
of our just rights. And if the Lord
is on our side, it matters not the ar
ray of numbers, the contribution of
their millions, the consultation Of
their leaders, and their war vessels
blockading our ports. If God be tor
us, all their scheming, their plot
ting, their wicked threats, presump-
tlous claims false assumptions, un-
just demands, and great prepara-
tions, will be brought to naught;
and God will be for us if we put
our trust in Him. The language
of Nehemiah was, "Be We not afraid
Of them, remember the Lord" AS if
he had said keep the Lord in your
thoughts, ask his assistance, and in
woke his power and defense, and
then fight.
| must acknowledge that all l
have to fear in this contest is, that
our people will become so much en-
ragged at the presumption, usurpa-
ton, and highhanded measures for
coercion, at the north, they will
forget God and be governed by pas
sion and prejudice, instead of eau
ton, prudence, and christian patri-
otism. Our cause isjust and right;
an inherent right to freedom, indie
pendence, and self-government; and
we are certain of success if we will
be governed by the proper spirit
And cannot but feel gratified and
encouraged at the manly, christian
forbearance evinced by our Con-
cress and Chief Executive, sine
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