The Raymer enterprise., 1915-10-21

--A& land of their cap
tivity to their beloved Palestine, but
they were not prospering very well
since their return. Some OF them on
visit to Persia had been telling him
about it. They were in great afiiic'
ton they said, and in great reproach
from their enemies round about. The
walls OF Jerusalem had never been re-
paired since they had been burned
down by Nebuchadnezzar $50 years
before, and the result was they had
no protection against assault.
Man Deeply Affected.
This deeply affected Nehemiah, SO
that he sat down and actually wept.
When patriotism moves us to weep
for our country it looks like the real
thing, especially when it is followed
by something else as 1t was here.
The weeping was accompanied by
fasting also, so different from the
modern way of showing patriotism,
which not infrequently takes the form
Of banquet with speeches. This fast
ing lasted for days, he must have been
alone in it; but at length 1t came to a
head in prayer Oh, If our statesmen,
and politicians and reformers only
knew the secret! How much more
they could accomplish at the Throne
of Grace than by legislation, and con.
ferences, and harangues, and newspa.
per articles.
A Wonderful Prayer.
1t was wonderful prayer this.
First, 1t was SO unselfish. He was not
praying for himself but for people,
who, for the most part, he did not
know and had never seen. They were
his countrymen, that was all, and they
were in sore need. How much do we
ever pray for our southern negroes, or
the mountain whites, or the detected
Indians on our western plains, or our
dependents in the Philippines? What
real interest have we in either theiI
material or spiritual condition?
Second, it was such a humble
prayer. Somehow or other he felt q
sense OF personal responsibility fol-
the condition Of his countrymen afar
off though they were He confessed
to sin in the premises, and included
his fathers house. in his confession
II he and his ancestors had acted DIFF
ferently things would not have been
as they were. What do we know OF
that?
Third, the prayer was helpful new.
ertheless. Hopeful, because he had 9
strong promise of God to rest 3un.
Remember thy word" he 81. -, and
then he quoted that word. Can you
do that? You must know the prom
ises to be able to do it. and you know
the promiser also. How much do you
search Gods word to discover its
treasures for yourself or others, and
how much do you exercise yourself tc
bring them down from heaven for life
on earth? Nehemiah just agreed with
God about this matter. All! that ID
power. Read the chapter for yourself
and see how he did 1t.
Fourth, the prayer was very def
mite. He didn't 60 round Robin Hoods 4
barn as the saying is. He didn't mouth
out lot Of fine phrases or pious notn
ings. He told God Just what he want
ed and when he wanted 1t, If 1t would
please him to give 1t. He was going
to stand before the king on a certain
day in his capacity Is cup-bearer, and
that would be a good time to ask a
favor Of the king. He was going &c
ask him that he might be commits
stoned as governor Of Jerusalem to &c
up there and build the walls and de
liver his people out of their affection
The king must be disposed to grant
the request, and he asked God SO tc
dispose him. Why do not the rest OF
US cultivate that simplicity and di
| AS~shSoc' INV iHlCI coliub IL WOulC
make both our private and public de
votions, and how it would enhance
Gods glory as we thus came to lool
for answers to what we asked.
Fifth, the prayer was successful, O,
course. 1T pleased the king to sent
me-" says he. "and set him a time.
The God Of Nehemiah still lives ant
nothing is too hard for him. The prom
Use in Philippians reads; BE anx
ious for nothing; but in everything b,
prayer and supplication, with thanks
giving. let your requests be made
known unto Cod" Our nationa
Thanksgiving day will soon be her,
again, and If sincerely we count oul
national blessings during the pas
year. 1t will be the best preparation
f,r that earnest prayer we so much
need. Affections are upon us in Ger
tain quarters and perils are ahead ant