Evening star., 1922-08-26

miah, ILL.
Golden Text-"The supplica-
tion of a righteous man avail
eth much in its working."-
James, Sc.
Every crisis in history has witnessed
the triumph of the man Of prayer. Pub
lie peril reveals the presence OF patriots
whose pure and disinterested love for
their country and civilization caused
them to devote their thought, prayer
and effort for the welfare of humanity.
In this and the two following lessons
he personality of Nehemiah. whose
patriotism is unrivaled among men
becomes the dominant figure. This
distinguished councillor and courtlef
never forgot the God Of his fathers
Jerusalem or the people of Palestine.
Separated by court and country from
the Holy Land, Nehemiah revealed
his patriotism when he inquired o.
two travel-Worn strangers, whom ne
overheard speaking the tongue of his
Jewish parents, concerning Jerusa-
lem and the Jews. who had returned
to the land of their fathers under
Ezra, to rebuild the city walls and
restore the worship of Jehovah in
His temple.
Much to his surprise Nehemiah b
learned that one of the two Hebrew
speaking men, whom he proVidentIal-
ly met outside of the city wall. was
his brother. Hanani. His rejoicing al
meeting of one who had shared his
early home life with him and who
had attained sufficient character ana
Importance to have been made ruler
of Jerusalem" was marred by the
statement that he made concerning
~ OF he
exiles had taxed their resources 70
rebuild the temple and restore then
homes They had suffered great al :
fiction, due to their poverty and the
hostility Of their neighbors. Ezra. III
his intense religious zeal and radl :
cal reformation, had commanded that
Jewish citizens, who had married for
eigners part with their heathen
wives and their children. although
Abraham, Moses and David had taken
wives from the heather. tribes. II
was natural under such circumstances
that the hated foreigner should re-
sist by force such scornful- treatmen'
of their daughters and sisters. The
record is silent concerning the tWelVe
wears which followed. but Hananl
report reveals the struggle, suherihs
and sorrow of those years. Ine pro
ken walls proved that the temple anu
CITY were subject to the prey OF the
nations enemies, who pillaged the
country. kidnapped the natives anu
made them slaves.
Nehemiahs grief over the dls-
tressing condition of his brethren IN
Jerusalem reveals his patriotism. ne
was surprised and shocked by the
discouraging report of the affiiction
that had saddened the lives of his
countrymen in the land of their
fathers. His own wealth, posltlon
and happiness did not DUH ms sensi-
bilities and sympathy for the JeWish
colonists who had returned to Jeru-
salem to restore the worship of Je-
boyah and to rebuild the city's walls.
The sad recital overcame him. Four
words express the intensity OF his
feelings, for he tells us that he wept'
mourned tasted and prayed. HIS
heart ached for Jerusalem. magma
neople. sympathy boiled out OF his
directions. hot tears flooded his eyes
and the strong man gave way ana
Went like child" His patriotism
| has been an inspiration to many or
| his countrymen In modern times, VINO
| have attained positions of prestige
and power, hut have not forgotten
their Jewish brethren scattered
| throughout the world, especially
when the hand of the prosecutor mas
| afflicted them because of their race
and religion.
grieved at the desolation or the CITY
and the sepulchers Of his fathers and
that he was so jealous for the laws
| of the God of Judah. we can justly
infer that he was brought up oy
! pious parents, who thoroughly IN
lstructed him in the history ana law
l. of the Jewish people His sorrow
over Jerusalem's desolation did not
excuse him from seeking RELIEF for
his oppressed brethren. There IS
danger in misspent emotion. Prof.
lanes has pointed this out IN ms
psychology. He says that thls Is
found "in excessive novel reading and
theater going; they play upon the
emotions without giving the will aRy-
! thing to do; and such waste emotions
he saws, may turn one into perfect
monster of insensibility and cruelty.
Nehemiah took his countrymen as
tressing and. perilous condition to
Cod in prayer that furnishes a
model for patriots of all ages.
The cupbearer of the king did not
turn to the earthly potentate with
whom he was on intimate terms OF
Fellowship, but he lifted up his voice
to Jehovah. He recognized, as ever!
the problems of the present moment
whether they be national or interna-
tionaI. that the greatest need OF the
hour is spiritual. The world has beer
passing through Gethsemdne' ue
cause they forgot God and the splrlt
of men in this reconstruction, hour
can only become what 1t ought &c
be when all learn to lift up thelr
voice and bow their knees to Jehovah
In supplication and service. The dis
asterous conditions filled Nehemiah
with sorrow so that he wept, fasteo
and prayed for four months from
Chisieu (about the latter part o,
November and the early part OF
December) until Nisan.
The secret prayer of Nehemiah, thal
the patriot >kept on praying curing
those months, with absolute conndence
that God would answer his petition, Il
remarkable for its form and character
It contains the four fundamental quar-
ties of all true prayer-adoration, con.
fession. faith and conservation These
are ali united by Nehemiah's sincerity
| which permeates his whole supplication
revealing the spiritual longing OF the
PATRIOTS soul for the glory OF God ano
the security Of his countrymen.
/ In his alteration the brilliant e1ecu'
five and statesmen recognized Jehovaf
a. the God Of heaven, who controls tns
destiny, of men. This reveA8 NOW NJ
4 training in the Persian court had tiftef