The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-01
International
SundaySchooLesson
81 WILIIAM b. ELLIS.

For September is. Nehemiah Re-
builds the Walls-Nehemiah 81
ia.
A Brave Builders Life-Work.
One day, on my first visit to the
Holy Land, I was walking in and
about Jerusalem with an amateur
who was the keeper of the Tomb in
the Garden. Our special quest was
an examination of the remains of the
old walls, as they have been revealed
by excavation In the grounds of one
of the Catholic schools-and Christian
archaeology owes more to the Fran
ciscan scholars than the public gen.
orally recognizes-we went into a long
trench. where a stretch of wall had
been uncovered.
This" said my guide, sis part Of
the wall built by Nehemiah. See how
these huge blocks. in contrast with
the smooth workmanship Of Solo
mons wall and Herod's wall which we
have been inspecting. Nehemiahs
work had to be done shurriedly, in the
presence of enemies and with limited
equipment. You know he rebuilt the
wall of Jerusalem in two months. So
this work is really remarkable, in the
circumstances"
Ever since that day, when his work
made him seem so near and real. Ne
hemiah has beenSa real personality to
me, and a special friend. His char
acter has affected my own life and
work, altho he lived four hundred
years before the Christian era. For
he was a builder and a patriot, a man
who put thru a big task in the face of
obstacles: and thruout displayed such
common sense and couragela and prac-
teal religion that he is an example
for all persons who would make their
lives count for God and country and
fellow men.
After Statesman's Prayers.
For three successive weeks the Sum
day schools of the world, with their
thirty-three million members-some
twenty-five million of them in North
America a1one-are studying the story
and book of Nehemiah. Last week we
saw him, as the cup-bearer to the king
of Persia, weeping and praying over
the sad news from his fellow coun-
trymen in Jerusalem. It was a stimu-
lating picture of a high official who
was really great enough to pray. This
week we find him in Jerusalem, re-
building the walls, combating enc
mics and reconstructing the life of
the city, having secured permission
from the king to make the long, hard
journey and undertake the project. 1t
is a picture of a truly devout man
R40%AANAAG AIS PACby, as 4NOIACHI4dA GA
pressed it, I'VE made our prayer and
set a watch"
Men who pray, also build The
principle and procedure are clearly set
forth in Scripture. Pray, then work
Pray for the larger success of the
Sunday school in stabilizing society
and in producing nobler men and
women-then yourself go teach a
class or take other work in the near
est school.
Pray for the prosperity of the
Church in this troubled time which
needs the Church SO sorely-then in
vite a neighbor to go with you to Sun.
day service.
Pray for better government-thcn
get out and work for the candidates
who will make 1t better.
Pray God to arrest the 1awless trend
Of our day-then quit your own petty
violation of law, and put your full
weight behind all law enforcement.
In short, prove your prayers by
your building. That was the Nehe-
niah way. The famous Scottish
praying regiments have always vindi-
Gated their religion by their superior
fighting. Faith first, then works, as
effect follows cause. When Christians
generally get into the Nehemiah class
we shall see a new kind of world
The brightest driving force in
human. affairs is the sense of God
No other incentive has ever SO in
spired individuals and communities
and nations to great living and great
achievement Even as 1 write nv eve
falls upon this quotation from Roger
Babsoh, the business SCIENTIST. All
that I am and that I own 1 owe to
little Christian Endeavor society in
Gloucester, Mass, of which / was
once member. I owe more to this
society than 1 do. to any college, or
any banking institution, or any bust
ness organization with which 1 have
ever been connected. ~ With that
background of experience, is it any
wonder that Mr.. Babson has been
going up and down the laid calling
upon business men to get right with
God, as a first step in business re-
habilitaticn?
Finding Out the Facts.
Horse sense" which is a rare and
high man quaiity characterized
Nehemiah. Every act of his recorded
experience causes the sagacious and
experienced reader to nod his head
approvingly, with an involuntary COM
ment. Wise old boy After states
nianl1ke provision and preparation,
the aroused patriot went to Jerusa-
lem.- There he clay low for three
days, keeping his own counsel and
getting his own view of the coudi-
tons. At midnight, unknown to the
people, who did not yet suspect his
mission, he rode around the walls of
the Holy City; as 1 have more than
once done. In a word, he meant to
proceed only on a basis of ascertained
fact. We call this the scientific
method" nowadays; but it is only the
practice that sensible persons have
followed since the beginning of time.
Charles A. Dana's motto for report
ers was, "See both sides and get all
the facts" The rule is equally good
fer religion, education, business and
poHtics. Half the trouble with mod
ern reform movements is their disre-
gard of the plain facts of the case.
The inaccuracies in the ordinary SER
mon are notorious. Sam Jones once
told a group of clergymen, you sis
tiers are dear old things but you amt
posted" A passion for facts. and a
fearless devotion to them is the first