The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1902-12-10
THANKSGIVING SERMON.
Delivered bu Rev. John E. Abbott.
Pastor of the Southern Presbu-
terlan Church.

unto them for whom moth
/ing IS prepared; for this day is
holy unto our Lord, neither be ye
sowy, for the joy of the Lord is
your strength. These words which
enjoined gladness and feasting and
mirtii upon the people, bring to
our minds the events that led up to
this occasion. We can but see the
striking change that has taken
place ID the spirit and conduct Of
Nehemiah, and the wonderful work
that had been wrought by and for
the captives of Babylon. When
Nehemiah, who was in a position
Of high favor with the king Artex-
erxes received intelligence of the
afiiiction OF the people that yet re-
manned in captivity after the two
returning companies had gone,
anGlthat the walls of Jerusalem
were broken down, he was over
come aud sat him down, and wept
and mourned certain days and
prayed and tasted before the Lord.
At last, at moment when he was
in especial favor with the King, he
made request for permission to 60
with his people and repair the
walls of his beloved city; for
passports and order for material
with which to do the work. Against
great difficulty they carried on
the work. They were compelled
a. endure the slanderings OF
Wro6iah and Sanballet who ac-
cused them of treason against the
King because of their ambition
'CheT worked in the face of ridicult
suclI as Tobiah used when he de-
clared that fox would break
down their wall we're he to run uI
againstit. They were harrasseo
by hostile tribes around them, anc
were compelled to hold to weapons
for defence while they handled
tools of labor. But at last the
work was done. Its accomplish
ment under such unauspiciou'
beginning and such unfavorins
circumstances impressed them al
it did the neighbori1g tribes, witt
the S5nviction that Jehovah haC
dohe it,-that it was the sign O
his restored favor and blessing. 81
deeply did they feel this that the,
called for the book of the law anC
demanded that it be read to them
And as that law was read the,
measured up themselves by it, ant
saw their utter variance with i
and they bowed their faces to th
earth and wept and mourned TO
their nation and for themselves.
There are many such scenes
in the Bible as that--instances il
Ehich the servants and people o
God fall upon their faces to tn
earth, and in that position Of deep
<2st humiliation and sorrow, listel
Is what God has to say. Moses
Ioshua, David and Daniel at yari
oua times in their experiences ar
piA red as lying prostrate, AM
b,is 6Anyins anything like wort
dignity in themselves. w
would not ignore or set at naugh
ire great lesson of humility that i
taught by incidents like these w
would not forget that in this posi-
ton of humility and self abase
ment, it is often necessary for ma
to place himself before he can hea
and receive any message from hi
God. We would not deny that /
we constantly maintain an attitud
Of pride we \ lall be ignorant, tina
if we do not sometimes humble our
selves we shah listen in vain TO
his divine voice calling us either t
service or to joy.
But since Gods word is design
ed to suit human nature and t
appeal to all of mans capabilitie
we must grant that it's teachini
has as many aspecJs as Jnat nature
and that to enjoin 1t upon man t
constantly maintain such an att
tAde as did these people at tn
reading Of the laS, and these othe
examples named, would be goin
further than scriptural injunctio
and example warrant.
But In this passage another trut
is taught-different from, thoug
not contradictory to, the one jus
N named. That in order to the higi
est usefulness of man and th
greatest glory of God, it ls necei
cary sometimes that man be foun
not deploring but exalting, nc
bowed down in deepest humiliatio
but standing in an attitude of Sc
respect, not empty of self but col
sciolh of his own God given pow