The National tribune., 1886-02-25
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study of the Inter.
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed for
March Z. Neh., S:1-12.

March Z. Neh., S:1-12.
! Zone reading these notes should first carefully
| study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
| indicated above
| We have another lesson in the Book of Nehe-
miah. Nehemiah learned through some Jews
| who chanced to be at ShuShan that his people
| in Judea were in distressed condition. He
became sad. The King, Artaxerxes (Ahasuerusl,
noticed his sorrow. Esther the Queen, was
also interested. e: g. Learning how concerned
his cup-bearer was as to the Jews, he permitted
him to go to Jerusalem, giving him royal letters
| which insured his safe arrival at Judea. Nehe-
miah went, saw the condition of things. and
set himself to building wall around the Capt.
| tai. He so systematiZed things as to complete
the work in 81 days. He also set several mis-
| celianeous matters at rights. In about six
months he returned to Persia. After about,
| probably, five years he set out again from Shu-
shan to Jerusalem, having commission as
| Governor of Judea. He acted as such for II
| years, when he again went back to Artaxcrxes.
| Hearing after a little while that Tobiah was
| introducing certain abuses in the temple serv-
| ice, he visited Jerusalem, and III very vigor-
GUS fashion demolished the plans of that Am
monte.
| Ezra again appears. We remember how he
| went to Jerusalem about so years after Zerub
babel led the Jews back from the captivity, 10
| years before our present lesson; how Artaxerxes
permitted Ezra to visit Judea, taking such Jews
as desired to return to their native land; how
Ezra set himself to effect a thorough reform at
Jerusalem. We do not know how long he re-
| manned in Judea. AS soon as the walls about
Jerusalem are finished by Nehemiah Ezra again
makes appearance.
Our lesson finds us at the Capital of Judea in
the year AS B. G. This is the date when we
hear for the first time of pulpit, a text, a SER
mon, street t-preaching. Bible exposition.
If one examine map of ancient Jerusalem,
he will find the temple on the extreme east
side. West is Milo, q Sa., :9) inclosed on
three sides by wall and having on the south
| side bridge reaching across the Tyropean
Valley from the temple to the Upper City on
Mount Zion. In the wall north of Milo is the
water gate. Through that gate the Gibeonites
and Nethinims brought water to the temple, and
hence the name. Before the gate on the Milo
side there was an extended area, suitable for the
gathering of a multitude. The congregation
sembled in the street. 1t was composed of men,
women, and such children as could understand
the reading of the Scriptures. The preacher
was Ezra, the priest and SCRIBE with six priests
at his right and seven at his left. The plat
form was temporary wooden structure, ele-
waited so high that the ii priests could be easily
seen and more readily heard. The time was
the first day of the new civil year. The book
read and explained was mainly, probably, only
the Pentateuch. ". ~ Ezra was master of
it. He had with great care collected its parts
and studied its contents. 1t is a compliment
to the people that the reading was at their sug-
gestioR Not only 13 priests but 13 Levites
also aided Ezra. The reading, interpreting,
and explaining were gone through with for six
hOurs-frOm light in the morning to noon-
Books in those days were scrolls, and unrOlled
in reading. They were written, the art of
printing not then being known. The Book Of
Moses, read on the occasion we study, was
probably in the Hebrew language. The peo-
pie felt great interest, since it was law book.
(V.2) 1t seems the exercise began with
prayer. V. g. All our preaching and in
struction should be preceded by worship.
The scene was very impressive. When Ezra
opened the book. he did so in reverential,
weighty manner. Out of respect to Gods
Word, the people rose and stood during the
reading. From time to time the reading
ceased, and the congregation may have sat dur
ing its explanation or Interpretation. Prepar-
ing pulpit platform in the open air, it is likely
temporary seats were also provided. We can
not suppose an assembiage of men, women, and
children remained on foot for six hours The
people had been in Babylon as captives, and
had probably acquired the Cbaldee language.
Hence, the Hebrew Ms. needed Interpretation,
and this was doubtless o part Of the work of
the 13 priests and 13 Levites. But, further,
the book required explanations To help the
understanding. the words were read distinctly.
We are pleased to see how interested and hence
through service six to seven hours long.
Gods Word had been sorely neglected. 1t was
quite new to most of the people. Moses was
the author by direction of God. The book was
body of laws by which it was their duty to
guide their lives The occasion was solemn.
Gods law was magnifed. A splendid precedent
was established The occasion was memorable.
We are now prepared to consider some of the
practical thoughts taught by the paragraph:
1. Parents should have their children attend
religious services. "All that could hear with
understanding" were in the congregation in
the street. wa A certain ritual, in serv-
ice for infants, says of each !" That he may
know these things the better. we shall call upon
him to hear sermons" Take children to
church.
2. Women should attend church services.
Verse 2 states women were at the Bible service
led by Ezra. Christianity has done most to
admit women into an honorable and fitting
sphere. No Mohammedan female is permitted
to worship inside a mosque. No woman was
allowed to enter the peninsula of Acta, Mace
donia, strip of land 81 miles long and about
three miles wide. Under the reign of Christ,
woman is necessity in every most grand pub
lie demonstration.
3. Go to church for worship and biblical in
struction. What n crowd gathered. and that
out-of-doors, in Jerusalem to learn from Gods
Word and Gods ministers! In most every
place now we have comfortable houses for wor-
ship, music and song, and accomplished clergy.
Shame on men, women and children who neg
lect such advantages and conveniences!
3. Attending religious services, be attentive.
(V. 81 Join in the worship. (V. g. Respond
audibly and generally after prayers are offered.
(V. g. Offer prayer. Be reverential in man
ner. Bow the head in devotion, and not gaze
about during worship. (V.6) Stand and sit
and genufect according to the usages of the
church. Take the Scriptures to heart (V. 81
5. The clergy should handle the Word of God
reverentaly and read it very distinctly. V.
81 Mumbling such holy and important book
is sacrilege.
6. Expository preaching is most effective
style, and should be adopted more generally.
". 81 Explain Gods Word. cause them to
understanding"
T. Help the poor (v 1O) E. g., one can
give spirit and profit to a Thanksgiving Day by
sending portions unto them for whom moth
ing is prepared"
s. Rejoice. Says st. Paul, Rejoice alway." 1t
is the purpose of God to make us happy through
the Truth. ". 12) Worship should be cheer
full. Religion is not mournful.
g.. Study the Bible-"a guide to realms of
endless joy" Says Christopher North: Turn
from the Oracles of man-Still dim even in their |
clearest resp0nse-to tho oracles of God, which
are never dark. Bury all your books when You |
feel the night of skepticism gathering around |
you; bury them all, powerful though you may |