The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-10-21

pn8KSzx#W turn OF his couu-
8 nv H trymen from that
- = Se-si land OF their cap
tivity to their beloved Palestine, but
they we're not prospering very we'll
since their return. Some OF them on
a visit to Persia had been telling him
about IL. They were in great afilic-
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 II looks like the real
thing, especially when II is followed
by something else as It 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 I'm IL; but at length II 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.
II was a wonderful prayer this.
First, It was so unselhsh. 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 their
material or spiritual condition?
Second, II was such a humble
prayer. Somehow or other he felt a
sense of personal responsibility for
the condition of his countrymen afar
of 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 a
strong promise of God to rest upon.
Remember thy word" he said, 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 to
bring them down from heaven for life
on earth? Nehemiah just agreed with
God about this matter. Ahl that is
power Read the chapter for yourself
and see how he did 1t.
Fourth, the prayer was very def
mite. He didn't go round Robin Hoods
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 it, if 1t would
please him to give 1t. He was going
TO stand before the king on q certain
day In his capacity as cup-bearer, an6
that would be good time to ask o
favor of the king. He was going tC
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 afiliction
The king must be disposed to gram
the request, and he asked God so t
dispose him. Why do not the rest o
us cultivate that simplicity and di
rectness? How interesting II woulC
make both our private and public de
votions, and how 1t would enhanc,
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 sen,
me-" says he. "and | set him time
The God of Nehemiah still lives an,
nothing is too hard for him. The prom
Use in Philippians reads: BE ana
ious for nothing; but in everything b
prayer and supplication. with thanks
giving. let your requests be mad
known unto God" Our nationa
Thanksgiving day will soon be her
again, and II sincerely we count ou
national blessings during the pas
year, II will be the best preparatlo
for that earnest prayer we so muc
need. Affections are upon us in Gel
tain quarters and perils are ahead an
greatly do we as nation need Coo
May he stir us up to lay hold of him 1
prayer. Some of us cannot fight, bu
who may not pray?
|
We are wisest when we cease [
question how and In what manner IN