The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-12-02
SUNDAYS LESSON
Number x.-Fourth Quarter, For
Dec. 3-RebuiIding the Wall.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Verses 6-1S.-The lesson In Palestine.
Nehemiah had heard about the de-
plorable conditions Of Jerusalem. Ar
taxerxes. the king. was not slow to
notice that something serious was alb
sorbing the thought Of his favorite
cupbearer. Inquiries resulted In an
encouraging permission being granted
to Nehemiah to visit Jerusalem. He
was also made governor and given an
escort and permit to use timber
from the royal gardens for whatever
building might be found necessary. In
about two months he reached Jerusa-
lem and entered the city without any
demonstration. After resting for three
days he made midnight inspection Of
the ruins so as to find out facts for
himself He then summoned a meet
submitted his plans for rebuilding the
walls after he had appealed to them
and stirred up their patriotism. The
man and the moment had at last met.
The leaders were further encouraged
when they were told that he had re-
ceived special authority from the king
himself to engage In this work. There
was an immediate response. And
they said Let us rise up and build. So
they strengthened their hands for the
good work"
Verses G-0.-Building with a purpose
The work on the wall was divided
into forty or fifty sections. and 1t was
taken in hand by the priests. the citi-
zens of Jerusalem and the people Of
the neighboring towns Of Tekoa. Jeri-
-cho and Gideon. who also had an In
terest In the holy city. 1t was the
intention Of Nehemiah to get the work
well under way before the enemies
could offer resistance. But 1t was not
long before these opponents among
the Samaritans. led by Sanballat and
his friends Tobiah the Ammonite and
Goshen the Arabian. did all In their
power to interrupt and interfere with
ills praiseworthy undertaking. The
spirit Of determination shown by Ne
hemiah had seized the builders. Their
enthusiasm enabled them to execute
what had hitherto been regarded by
them as impossible. When the foes
heard that the repairing Of the walls
went forward they were highly in
sensed. The opposition was met not
by antagonism. but by prayer unto
our God" which strengthened their
faith. and by the precaution to ''set
Il watch against them day and night"
Verses encouragement In diff
fculties.
Before the walls could be built the
rubbish had to be removed. and this
was serious matter. especially rs the
enemy was waiting to enter at the
first opportunity and cause injury. SO
that the work would cease. The
Jews which dwelt by them
Those who came In from the coun-
try kept saying to their fellow build
ers from the city that they saw the
enemy marching toward Jerusalem.
resolved to overthrow the city. armed
with swords. spears and
bows" This would enable
them to engage In n hand to hand
fight with sword or Stay the enemy
with spear or attack from a distance
with bow and arrow. After he had
established this protection he made
courageous appeal to 1.-THE mobiles and
to the rulers and to the rest Of the
people," Let them have no fear In
the present emergency. hut let them
be filed with faith as they remember
the Lord" and in the divine strength
let them fight for their brethren
- houses" Great interests were
In peril. This was time, therefore.
for trust in God and the doing Of
duty. Brought their counsel to
naught." The conspiracy of the enc
my was defeated by the timely and
tactful endeavors Of Nehemiah. They
gave up their plans of attack. and the
builders, who were cheered by their
dauntless leaders. returned =
every one unto his work"
Verses 16-1S.-Division Of labor.
The enemy had disappeared only for
a time. and so precautions were taken
against any surprise attack. Half Of
my servants" These belonged to the
bodyguard Of Nehemiah. who were all
armed. But in the present circum-
stances half of them helped the wall
builders. Half of them held
the spears" ready for any emergency.
1.-THE habergeons." coats Of mail ire
vision. which were made Of hard
leather and could resist the arrow.
"The rulers were behind" where
they could hear the alarm Of the
trumpeter. He was with Nehemiah,
who could readily issue commands as
soon as any attack was attempted
"Laded themselves" REV. rhe swords
were dangling by their sides ms some
builded: others brought stones. and
yet others carried away the rubbish
1t must have been scene Of complex
activity. a