The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-25

this present hour. We are in rea
| peril of provincial lisnn and classism
Group is setting itself against group
race against race at a time when ma
! tional solidarity is precious beyond
rubies. Consider Nehemiah. He faced
/ a public question not from the stand
point of a rich man but of a Jew. He
! thought not as a member OF the pro-
return Jewish party in Persia, or OF
the stay-and-prosper party. His So
icitude was not as a northerner nor
| as southerner; but only as a patriot
who loved his nation, his people, his
capital, his God.
This passion of patriotism, which
some nowadays decide is a noble
thing. born of God. 1t is apparently
planted in the breasts of men and
| women to be one of the primary
forces in organizing and maintaining
the world. whoever loves his land,
even unto death, is following in the
train OF Nehemiah, and all the other
heroes of the Bible. Intelligent pa
triotism. permeat ted by a spirit of good
will toward all mankind. holds more
OF hope for this distraught earth than
all the 'internationalism" ever pro-
claimed bly, parlor Rolsheviks or prac-
ticed in poor. pitiabIe Russia. This
great story of Nehemiah will have
been studied in vain unless it has
quickened the fires of patriotism.
When in Desperation
Deeply moved by the bad news from
Jerusalem, Nehemiah sat down and
Wept- The case was desperate, in the
eyes of the patriot. But it was not
hopeless. All ways out were closed
except the upward one. AS the
familiar word of Lincoln has it, 'I
have often been driven to my knees
by the conviction that had nowhere
else to go. Thrown flat on his back
by adversely, a man will look up,
even if he did not do so before. In
CT NJ fr-oc rifR hat
came to the great-hearted Jewish pa
triot he had one sure and familiar re-
course; he could pray. Happy the
man to whom, when trouble comes,
prayer is no strange thing. One good
reason for the habit of daily prayer is
that it makes the path to the Mercy
Seat familiar and easy in the darkest
hours.
Some shallow person may remark
that praying is for the parsons and
for the old women. What Is this emil
nent palace dignitary, this powerful
public official, this man of affairs,
this worldly-wise cup-bearer to the
Great King, doing with tears and fast
ing and prayer? Nehemiah was so
great that he knew the greater great
ness of God. Bigness always recog-
nizes bigger gibness. All the truly
mighty are really reverent. Most of
the foremost generals and admirals OF
the world war, as well as the worlds
outstanding ST a e m n, publicly
acknowledged themselves as humble
and prayerfuI dependents upon the
favor of the living God.
Our own day is vocal with the call
of the concerned leaders of the race,
speaking from public office, from edi-
torial sanetun, from the centers of
industry and commerce and from the
libraries of educators, SUNNI oning
men and women to prayer, in this
solemn hour of national and inter
national need and perplexity. Our sit
uation is worse than Nehemiah's. Our
recourse is the same as his. When
the people of the earth who believe
in God begin to pray as Nehemiah
prayed, then, and not until then, may
we too, hope for deliverance.
The shortest way out of trouble runs
by way of the throne/of Jehovah.
Copyright, 1922. by The Ellis Service)