The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1909-03-26

hIm sieIl, ne 1OtlOneu tDcm tC 1Ol-
low and went out into the city No one
saw them depart. and no one knew OF
their return, so that the secret visit TO
the ruined wall surrounding the city
waS not known 10 any save those VINO
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
sible. But not so to Nehemiah.
God hath put the purpose I'm my
heart to do this thing, and | am not
going TO turn back now that I have
come thus far upon my Journey" he
muttered to himself as he sank upon
his couch after his long weary night
or 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 n 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
hnds that just at the right time the
help he needs is extended so IL 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 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
unfoldcd 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 n reproach"
Looks OF wonder o'erspread 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
"ad 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
OF thoir nationals 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, land think how weak we are
in the presence of the strong people
among whom we dwell"
] Il,,T "A ln, - l.,
with us in this undertaking." demand
! ed Nehemiah, confidently.
And he vert 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
prCspeged his way.
The hand OF our God was good
upon ne, he went on to say, "and 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 tie men before him.
Come" exclaimed one of the mum.
ber, rising and turning an earnest face
towards his brethren. "let us rise VI
and build"
The words were but the expression
of every heart present and they arose
ms 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 organiz-
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
were brought To Nehemiah that San
ballat and Tobiah were organizing a
force 10 descend suddenly upon the
workers upon the wall. and slay them
Then did great fear seize hold upon