The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-11-28
IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD

over the need of the same city.
Since everybody must have some
sort Of trouble let us ave the big
troubles, troubles that come to men
of full stature, the troubles that are
an index of chivalry OF <spirit. and
Christliness Of sympathy. lie we
weep. let it not be for our own petty
trials, but for our nations need n
the worlds
When h Boss Notices.
Old Artaxerxes must have been a
good king to work under. When his
cup-bearer appeared sad of COunte-
nance, the king was not SO ~engrossed
in affairs of state that he had not
time for kindly interest in the well
fare Of his retainers. He inquired so
l~icitously for the cause OF Nehemiah's
sorrow. That is the kind Of employ
er to serve, one who cares for the
personal welfare Of those under him.
Anybody can work well for a man
who has this spirit. The labor prob
lem would be half solved if the bosses
would but notice their men as men,
with a care for their personal needs,
and sufferings. There is not usually
a servant question in the kitchen Of
the mistress who is solicitous about
the welfare Of her helper, and who
looks upon her assistant first OF all
as a fellow-woman rather than as a
servant.
Artaxerxes got the bottom OF Ne
hemiah's trouble and asked how he
could help. Instantly the cup-bearer
shot a a to the King of kings in
heaven before he presented his petit
ton to this king upon his earthly
throne. It is good craftsmanship to
bear in mind ever that over all rules
d0kA and that he is still a very pres
ent help in trouble.
Wanted-A Hare job.
In that atmosphere Of sycophancy,
it must AVE been a surprise to Ar
t~axerxeS to find hat his cup-bearer'S
petition was not for. a promotion or
for a larger income, OF for some in
creased honor, but rather for a hard
job that meant first of all renuncia-
ton. Nehemiah told him how Ju-
dab, the capital Of his heart. was laid
waste. Then he asked hat he him
self might be sent to rebuild it.. He
could have petitioned for a royal COM
mission to investigate and to issue
necessary commands. Nehemiah,
however, was not that sort of man.
Had he been, the Sunday Schools Of
the world would not today be study
ing about him. He was a s'send me"
man, and that is why his place in
history is fixed.
With oriental reverence for the
memory and graves of his ancestors,
he portrayed the plight Of the city
Of his fathers sepulchres, and the
kings answer was sympathetic. All
the necessary letters and privileges
were given to Nehemiah. and he
went forth upon his long journey by
the Tigris-Euphrates valley until he
could come again to Jerusalem, the
city of Zion.
This was a man who did not depu-
tie his work. He was not afraid to
attempt things for himself. He want
ed personal knowledge Of conditions
before he went ahead. He was no
needless agitator to enter into denun-
Citations and appeals without first be-
ing sure Of his facts. Slipping as I'M
ostentatiously as possible into the city
Nehemiah himself went out in the
midnight darkness to traverse the
heaps of rubbish which had once been
the walls of Jerusalem. He was a
commander-in-chief who first inspect
ed the battlefield in person. What
thoughts must have thrilled him as he
rode about that city now in ruins, so
eloquent with the deeds Of his faith
ers!
The Man Who Can Work With Men.
The psychological explanation Of
successful achievement in a common
cause is what is known on the ath-
letic field as team work" To solid
ify the sentiment Of many until it be-
comes as the sentiment Of one is to
insure success. Nehemiah said,
Come, let us build" He identified
himself with h least Of the returned
exiles. The plenipotentiary from Per-
sia's court made common cause with
the poorest n hunblest carrier Of
stone. He heartened the people with
a vision Of what might be, and fired
their hearts with a resolution to do q
common work in unison.
1t has been proved many times that
the first step in a successful building
enterprise is not the raising Of mon
ey, but the welding Of the purposes
Of all who are interested into unity.
A common mind in the people is the
first requisite. Nehemiah did this.
He interested all the people and "
made use Of the ratings and tauntings
Of enemies to Solidify the city's senti-
ment.
y Good work Anglers bad men. That
is why the m Of Nehemiah,