The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1909-03-19

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 a 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 heart might be realized, he won
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 | 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 a short time later all
the mobiles and rulers of the city, to.
gether with the priests and the
Levites, 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 reproach. ;"
Looks of wonder oerspread the
faces of the men before him. He could
read in 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 its 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 Jerusalem
the Zion of the Jews, the beloved city
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, land think how weak we are
in 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 lis heart and had
prospered his way.
THE hand of our God was good
upon me- he went on to say, land the
king spoke only words of encourage
ment to me, and as you all well 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 num-
Der, 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 up
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-
tons of the work.
So the work was begun and was be-
ing pressed with vigor when reports
were brought to Nehemiah that San
ballat and Tobiah were organizing a
force to descend suddenly upon the
workers upon the wall. and Stay them.
Then did great fear seize hold upon
those who labored on the wall, and
the work all but ceased, but Nehemiah
went among the people and said:
BE not we afraid of them: remem-
Der the Lord, which is great and ter
rible, and fight for your brethren, your
sons and your daughters, your wives
and your houses"
And it came to pass, when Sanballat
and Tobiah heard that their plot was
known unto Nehemiah and that the
Jews were preparing to fight, that
they failed to carry out their plan of
but nevertheless Nehemiah
caused half of those who wrought upon
the wall to watch with spears and
shields and bows and the habergeons
while the others worked.
So was the wall completed.