Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-28

work Immediately.
He perceived the necessity for great
caution, for enemies were on every
hand as anxious to hinder them as he
was anxious for success. The Sa1nari
tans were jealous. They had a rival
worship of Jehovah and Israers sue
cess would seem to imply that Gods
favor was to the Jews rather than to-
ward the Samaritans Besides, they
all hoped to profit by the poverty and
hefplessness of the Jews-thinking it
not wrong to pillage them as opportu-
nifty offered. Nehemiah's plan was APP
proved. The leading men in each quar-
ter of the city joined in the work with
the laborers. and each built the wall
most nearly in front Of his own home
quarters This was wise plan for
each would be specially interested in
having the wall strong in his own
neighborhood. and a certain degree of
proper pride would attach to his work
as a prominent monument of the build
er's skill-itself a credit or discredit
Nehemiah joined in the work with
the others, his accompanying servants
participating also. His spirit OF zeal
was an inspiration to the discouraged
people, who took heart and hope began
to thrive. Then came disbursement
and opposition from the enemies. An
attack was even planned, but learning
of this, Nehemiah SO directed the work
that the heads of the families kept an
armed watch while the others labored,
CARRYING swords also for self-defense.
When their enemies found that hey
Were prepared, the proposed attack
was abandoned and discour agements
We're resorted to. The effort was
laughed at, ridiculed as impossible,
and worthless anyhow. Those unused
to manual toll soon grew sore and
weary and discouraged. The higher
the walls grew the more difficult it was
to place the stones and the mortar
and the more stones built into the wall
the fewer suitable ones remained
amongst the rubbish. II was a time Of
testing of faith ana loyalty to God.
Trials and difficulties are permitted 10
come to all of Gods people for just
such testings. The oyercomers are de-
veloped through various experiences
fer the Divine service.
Stand Fast in the Faith"
IT may be asked why Nehcmiah's
faithfulness and courage was tested,
and what reward was his. We reply
that reward Of character develop
ment follows every good endeavor. The
reward of those who Eved faithfully in
Nehemiah's time differs essentially
from the reward Of the faithful
amongst the followers Of Jesus The
latter are promised share with the
Master in His glorious Meesianic
Kingdom Fear not little flock. it is
your Fathers good pleasure to give
you the Kingdom. TO him that
oVercometh will | grant 10 sit with
Me in AIy throne"
But Nehemiah could have no share
in these Kingdom promises because he
lived before the call to the Kingdom
before Pentecost. lie and others of
his time who displayed faithfulness
and loyalty are not personally men
toned BY st. Paul in hebrews -, but
they are undoubtedl3 Included in the
list OF them the Apostle declared
They had this testimony, thar they
pleased Cod 81. Paul declares that
they will receive their reward-a share
in the earthly phase OF the Kingdom,
after the Church shan first have re-
ceived her share with the Redeemer in
the heavenly phase of the Kingdom,
for they without us shall not be made
perfect, God having in reservation
some better thing for us Hebrews
xi, 30-40
ST Paul's words in our text teach the
same great lesson Of the necessity for
Characterization on the part of
all who hepe to be heirs Of God and
joint heirs with Jesus Christ their
Lord. They must watch as Well as
pray, they must stand fast in the
faith" against the various oppositions
of the world, the flesh and the Adver-
sary. They must acquit themselves
like men. strong in the Lord and in
the power of His might" They must
be strongly developed by trials diff
eulties and obstacles overcome in the
name of the Lord and with His assist
anee. Thus shall they become more
and more transformed by the renewing
of their minds, and approach nearer
and nearer 10 the glorious likeness of
their Master. Whoever is in the school
of Christ is there to study and prac-
tice along the lines of justice and of
love. II is the work of life time We
should not wait for the Lord To chast-
en- us. but should be 50 DESTROYS of
having the Lords win done in us that
we will serutni2e our thoughts. We
should walk eircumspectly
I'VE will watch while we pray,
With our lamps trimmed and burn |
ing;
We will work while we wait,
TIL the Masters returning:
We will sing and rejoice
While each omen discerning