The National tribune., 1886-02-18
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

| study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
| indicated above
We now gather around the first chapter OF
the Book of Nehemiah, making it Cur study
No quotations from this book occur in the New
Testament. 1t covers history of about IL
| years-from 445 to 433 B. G. In tone and con
tinuity of events, it is practically the Book OF
Ezra continued. 1t is evident the first seven
chapters were written by Nehemiah. We find
| in them the first person dramatically. These
chapters were sort of journal or memoranda
written by him who g YES name to the entire
book
The author, Nehemiah, is little known. His
| fathers name was Hachaliah. We cannot give
his tribal relation About 40 years before our
lesson, Nebuchadnezzar carried the inhabitants
of the Kingdom of Judah away to Babylon as
captives Ninety years before the lesson, Cy-
rus permitted all such Jews as wished to re-
turn to Judea. About $4,000 accepted the offer,
led by Zerubbabel. They proceeded to rebuild
| the temple. This work, by reason of Interrupt
| tions from opponents, required about 20 years.
They also doubtless did what they could to re-
pair the walls thrown down by Nebuchadnez-
Ear After about 60 years from the time the
Jews were restored to Jerusalem under Zerub-
babel b. G. 536), Artaxerxes sent Ezra to Ju-
dea as its Governor He was accompanied by
probably about $500 Jews who thus returned
| from the captivity to their Promised Land.
| Ezra finds things in q sad plight The tenn
pie, restored by Zcrubbabe, was not much out
| of repair, but worship was quite neglected.
The walls of the city were but heaps. Like an
earnest reformer Ezra set to work.
1t is evident the ancestors of Nehemiah de-
| clined to accept CyruSs permit to leave his
| Kingdom and return to Judea. So Nehemiah
was born at Shushan. the Winter capital of the
| Persian Empire, $50 miles from Babylon, and
by the usual route of travel (uia Tadmor) 1000
miles from Jerusalem. He was cup bearer for
| A r. 7 n
of Esther as Ahasuerus). This office brought
him into intimacy with the King, and gave
him chance to secure many favors under au-
| spicious circumstances, SINCE bringing wine to
the King, he often found him in pleasing
moods. The Office of cup bearer was royal
one and carried influence. The selection of
| Nehemiah implies he was of superior parent
age and of unusual personal address. The po-
sition was lucrative, and Nehemiah became
very wealthy. When at Jerusalem he found
riches are "the snews of war;"
Josephus tells us thow Nehemiah learned of
the condition of his nation (the Jews). He says:
| Nehemiah, being Somewhat out of Shushan,
! seeing some strangers and hearing them con-
verse i'll the Hebrew tongue, he went near !;
| and, finding they were Jews from Jerusalem,
! he asked them how matters went with their
| brethren in the city, aud what was their state. :"
Verse of the lesson, mentions the party.
| 1t is thought Hanani was a real brother of
Nehemiah. Verse 8 Of the lesson states the
answer to the question Of Nehemiah. We are
in the year 446 B. c., just about 10 years from
the time Ezra, as Governor, went to Jerusalem
| by order of Artaxerxes, and 80 years from the
time Cyrus directed Zerubbsbel to lead back to
Judea such as desired to- oireturn.
Nehemiah heard the reply. The returned
captives were a remnant. Enemies were nu-
mer0us. By reason of their feebleness the Jews
were objects of reproach. They were deeply
afflicted. They had NO defenses, seeing that
the walls of the city were broken down and
the gates off hinges.
Nehemiah is distressed by the report He
wept, and mourned Q:4; 2: y, and tasted, and
prayed.
Now follows model prayer. Let us study
it as such.
1t is addressed to Jehovah, the true God, and
ascribes to him superhuman attributes. He is
great and terrible. His greatness incites awe
| in the good; his terribleness stirs up fear in
the evil. (See V. s. He is truthful keeps his
covenants, or promises. He is merciful. (Vs.
5, 8 and H. He loves the good. (V. 81 His
throne is in Heaven. (V. 81 1t is implied he
| is not pleased with the evil, and hence pun
ishes them. VS. He sees us mortas and
can hear our prayers. (Vs. 6, H. He is never
asleep, and so We can offer petitions by day or
night. (v. g. He is powerful. ". lo)
1t teaches US how to pray. HOw2
l. Feelingly; often with fearful eyes. 2. Con-
centratively, to the end that our minds shall be
so set on our wants that we cannot enjoy our
food. B. Beseechingly earnestly. (Vs. 5, 8,
H. 4. Intercessorily. V.6) 5. With hum
bic confession of our sins. (V. g. 1t is no.
ticeable Nehemiah includes himself. He knew
the knack of spelling eve" with an j" in
it. He acknowledged the Jews had been cor
rupt and disobedient. (V.7) 6. With Gods
threatenings in mind. ". 81 z. By men,
ory of the promises. (V.9) 8. By recalling
former mercies as precedents. ". 10) 9.
With faith
Every Christian should study Nehemiahs
prayer. 1t is an inspiration at the mercy seat.
Having looked over the paragraph what
ethical impressions do we get? We state sew
eral:
/. We should feel great interest in Christ
ian people everywhere. They are our people.
Often inquire how Zion is prospering. Ask
persons from other localities as to the religious
interests of their several communities Such
topics will always be agreeable in conversation
and will be proof of your common concern for
the success of Christ's Church. tV.2.)
2. Be affected by sad reports as to Christian
work i'll any section. We should rejoice to learn
the cause for which our Savior died is thriving.
So, too, if of the right heart, we shall be cast
down when informed Gods people are
treated unkindly, or church buildings are neg
lected and going to ruin, or Christian people
are In deep Distress or that the material inter
eSts of any body OF Christ's followers are waning.
Tears at times are becoming to Christians.
). There are seasons when fasting is in place.
When great religious interests of the person, or
family, or church, or state are at stake, lovers
of Christ may well become so concerned as to
lose appetite. Then, there is at times a hy
gieaic bearing as to. fasting a good sanitary
condition is helpful to spiritual development.
Christ's saying, when ye fast" etc, implies
his followers may at times be called to the
practice. While not Stole, Christianity is not
Epicurean. Shakspere asks, in Lore's Labor
Lost "Say, can you fast?" Let fasting be
genuine and not manufactured. There is no
benefit in a fast on wager, or in fast as a
mere scientific experiment, or in fast for noto-
riety, or in a skeptical fast for the purpose of
furnishing a rationalistic explanation of the
scriptural cases of fasting:
4. Pray-tenderly, concentratedly, earnestly,
intercessorly, humPly, with Cody awe and
fear, trusting in the promises OF the Bible,
thankfully, with faith.
By prayer one helps himself.
"A little talk with Jesus
How il smooths the rugged rOadi
How it seems to help me onward
When faint beneath my load!
When my heart Is crushed with sorrow,
And my eyes with tears are dim,
There is nought can give me comfort
Like little talk with Him."
BY prayer we help others. microscopy
prayer is allowable by the New Testament and
by the example of Christ
John Livingstone and comrades prayed
whole night, but the reward came i'll the form
asked--a plentiful shower next day. 1t is said
Baxter stained his study walls with praying