The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-15
SUNDAY FORENOON.
The Prayer OF Nehemiah as an Eek
ample to Us.

SUNDAY FORENOON.
The Prayer OF Nehemiah as an Ex-
ample TO Us.
As you are all aware, this is the first
Z day of the week of prayer, and probably
there will be more prayer offered in the
next week than there has been in the last
twelve months. We want to fall into
line. II we are to have q real deep, thor
ough work In this community 1t Is going
to be in answer to prayer.
sIet us learn lesson from Nehemiah.
He humbled himself and confessed his
sins, and then it was that God heard his
prayer and gave him great, yes, q great
blessing. Not only to his own soul, but
to thousands of others, and believe II
win be the same right here in Providence.
The walls are torn down ina great many
places. We want them built up, don't we?
Then let there be an honest cry. Let's
make sacrifice, let's be here Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday at the noon-day
hour. II you business men have to leave
your business, and you wives your house,
hold cares, make up your minds that you
are going to be here. Let there be q real
cry going mp to God, and we shall not be
disappointed. Let US bow our heads again
and pray that the Lord may bless each
ons- II there is anything that is keeping
back the blessing let US ask God to re-
veal 1t to us, that we may get right"
Prayer by Mr.. Conant, followed by
solo by Mr.. Sankey, "Here am /, Send
Me-"
want to say that we can learn q les
son from this distinguished man, whose
prayer we have read this morning.
Nehemiah was not Jewish prince, al
, though it IL supposed he had royal blood
IN his veins. He was born in captivity.
II was about 100 years after Jerusalem was
taken that this man appeared upon the
horizon. He was in the court of Arta-
xerxes. He was q cupbearer to the king,
and held high position. 1 can imagine
that one day in the court he met q man
that had come down from Jerusalem,
perhaps on business for the king, and he
got into conversation with him. In fact
Il may be this very man wanted Nehemiah
TO use his influence with the king.
Nehemiah began to inquire about Jerusa-
lam and the condition of his own people,
and he was told they were in great want
and distress and degradation, and that
the walls Of the city were still down, that
the gates bad been burned and never re-
stored, and his patriotic heart began to
burn. He began to mourn for his own
country, to pray, and fast, and
have no doubt but that when he
commenced to pray he asked that
the king might be sent to rebuild
the walls. He, perhaps, didn't have any
thought of doing anything more than to
pray. But II you can get a man to pray,
be will soon be prepared to do something
more. Nehemiah didn't pray for one
week, nor two, nor even a month, but he
kept at 1t. Perhaps he TASTED two or three
days in q week and he kept that up all
through the fall. He persevered. He prayed
on and tasted, and all this while God was
answering his prayer. Although he
didn't see any answer, God was
havo everything In readiness when the
tinns should come. And one day he stands
before the king as usual and gives him a
cup Of wine. The king looks up and said,
ssNehemiah, why art thou sad? Are you
sjck?r Nehemiah answered "no.n swell,
what Is the troublef 1t must be sorrow
Of heart" Then Nehemiah told the king
how he was burdened for his own coun-
try, and the king said, "Well, what is
your rcquestf" But Nehemiah had time
10 pray right then and there. The king
didn't hear the prayer but the
king Of kings heard IL.
"Lord help me now" he prayed TO
the God of Heaven. Men say they have
not time TO pray, but Nehemiah prayed
while the king was waiting for an answer.
The Lord taught him just what to ask
for, and then he made his request. II
wasn't that TIE king of Persia might go
and rebuild those walls, but that he him
self might be sent to do the work. There
is faith for youi He was dead In earnest
For three or four months he had concen-
trated his mind upon the misery and
wrctchedness OF his country.
Now, mark ye, II meant good deal for
that prince TO give up the palace OF
Bheshan, TO give up that Persian court
and identify himself with those despised
Jews. He ives among there the highest
o. eli the whole realm, he was cupbearer
20 the king and held a high position.
And not only that, he was a man OF great
wealth, lived in great luxury and a man
Of great influence I'm that court; and for
him 70 70 up TO Jerusalem and lose caste
4 was like Moses turning his back upon
tbe court aud identifying himself with
those poor eaptives. He stopped to con-
Quer and when you get ready TO stoop
81 will uss you. II we are going to sue
81 IN Gods work we must stoop.
1Eshoniah found faves with the king.