The Neshoba Democrat., 1909-03-18

d"AS'iJ aloSe, anu swiftly UdklDS MS
way TO the plase where his trusted
servants whom he had brought with
MIN slept, he motioned them to fol
low and went out into the city. No one
saw them depart, and no one knew of
their return, so that the secret visit tc
the ruined wall surrounding the city
was not known to any save those who
made the midnight journey over the
dismal ruins. To a man of less faith
and courage the project of rebuilding
the walls would have seemed impos
slble. But not so to Nehemiah.
God hath put the purpose in my
heart to do this thing, and l am not
going to turn back now that | have
come thus far upon my journey" he
muttered to himself as he sank upon
I his couch after his long weary night
of inspection of the ruins, and had re
turned just as the dim gray light was
beginning to creep into the eastern
| sky.
When God has great project to ex
ecute and has inspired some noble
| heart to the work, how wonderfully
the plans unfold, and the one upon
whom the Divine commission rests
finds that just at the right time the
| help he needs is extended So it was
in the case of Nehemiah.
AS he lay on the couch there, not to
sleep but to lay out definite work.
ing plan that the great purpose OF
his hoo art ioh hD
| dered whether he would be able to win
| the people to undertake the great work
He did not doubt God or himself, but
| he did doubt the way in which his
proposal would appear to the people.
But l must make beginning, for
without the help of the people we can
do nothing" he exclaimed, at last ris.
ing resolutely and summoning one of
his servants.
In response to the messages which
he instructed the servant to deliver
there gathered short time later all
the mobiles and rulers of the city, to-
gether with the priests and the
Leyites, to whom he frankly and fully
unfolded his plans.
"Ye see the distress that we are
in,' he exclaimed, earnestly; how
Jerusalem lieth waste. and the gates
thereof are burned with fire; come,
and let us build up the wall of Jerusa-
lem, that we be no more a reproach."
Looks of wonder o'erspread the
faces of the men before him. He could
read Ill their expressions how perfect
ly impossible seemed the project. But
he had won their confidence and SYM
pathy in his opening words when he
had identified himself with the city
and it's needs He made them feel
that in spite of the high place he held
in the service of the king and the
ease and luxury which were his back
at Babylon he had voluntarily made
the long journey thither, and in all
the words OF his appeal placed himself
as one Of them and indicating that he
felt the reproach upon Jerusalent--
the Zion of the Jews, the beloved city
of their nation-as much as did they,
perhaps more. For long residence in
the presence of the discouraging con-
ditions had developed an attitude of
indifference on their part towards
them. And so the fact that Nehemiah
brought himself right down to the level
OF their needs impressed them deeply
and Won their confidence.
But with all the sympathy and con-
fidence which they felt towards Ne
hemiah, how was the great task which
he proposed to be carried out?
Consider the vastness of the under.
taking exclaimed one of the mobiles
present, "and think how weak we are
i'll the presence of the strong people
among whom we dwell"
"But do you not forget that God is
with us in this undertakings" demand
ed Nehemiah, confidently.
And he went on to tell them of the
tidings which had come to him as
he served in the presence of the king,
OF how Jerusalem was in great dis
tress and the wall broken down. How
God had spoken to his heart and had
prospered his way.
THE hand of our God was good
upon me, ne went on to say, "and the
king spoke only words of encourage.
ment to me, and as you all we'll know,
have authority with me to gather
such material and such help as we
| shall need
Silence followed the words spoken,
but God was working upon the hearts
of the men before him.
Come" exclaimed one of the mum.
ber, rising and turning an earnest face
towards his brethren, "let us rise up
and build"
The words were but the expression
of every heart present and they arose
as one man and eagerly pressed
towards the door.
That night Jerusalem was in an I'D.
roar of excitement over the announce
ment that work was to begin upon the
walls, and everywhere the mobiles and
rulers and priests were busy organic.
ing the forces and assigning the por.
tions Of the work
So the work was begun and was be.
ing pressed with vigor, when reports