Evening star., 1922-09-02

Our lesson for Labor Sunday
teaches US the principles that the
patriot Nehemiah used in solving the
labor problems he faced in connection
with the rebuilding of the walls OF
Jerusalem. They suggest methods
and motives that we can use in SOW
ing the modern labor problems that
are pressing for solution at this very
moment. Our commercial. industrial,
political and religious life is in a
somewhat similar condition to that
of Jerusalem when Nehemiah obtain
ed. in answer to prayer his commls-
sion as governor of the province OF
Palestine. The effects Of war were
apparent in the life of that period
ed in commerce and industry at the
pagan shrine of competition until II
is claimed by a modern critic that in
dustry is filled with cruelty and trade
ruled by greed, because the spirit OF
Jesus has been shut out OF our daily
life.
Nehemiah belongs to the captains
of Industry. His life and labor proves
that men make a mistake when they
try to Judge men by class labels. II
is not true that because a man Is rlcn
and is the head of a corporation that
he is selfish, arrogant and unsympa-
thetic Some of the most selhsh: ar
roeant and unsympathetic have been
found among the toilers, but usually
it is the other way with the working
man. Nehemiah having given up
everything to advance the interest,"
Of his W.shiSrton rree Was ,he
richest man of his times when he took
the side of the colonies in their battle
for freedom from Great Britain.
America has many leaders VINO are
trying to remove all dinerences pc
demonstrate the practicability OF tne
teachings of Jesus in solving the
problems of modern Industrial and
commercial life. II all could stand
before their fellows free from the
suspicion of selishness in their e1,
hatred between classes would disap-
pear. The subordination Of every
personal consideration in an effort tn
advance the public's interest wouio q
make patriots of all classes. A true
Christian civilization Will pc maaked aue,
welfare by the rich and the poor en-
ployer and employe alike.
Nehemiah's capacity, culture ano
character would have made him a
marked man in any period OF tne
worlds history. The secret or ms
j
he placed God first and had thor
onel1ly consecrated his talents to the
seryice Of his fellows for the glory
of Jehovah. He sought in PRAYER Tor
divine guidance and success. He gave
the Lord credit for the achievements
of his career, which was directed ny
"the hand of God"
rio energetic governor made per-
sonal Investigation of the condition
OF Jerusalem shortly after his ar
rival. He made his inspection of the
wall secretly at night and planned
fhis work. accordingly. He found that
| the citizens were detected ana uls-
couraged as a result of their conoi-
tion. The temple had been restored
hmt the wall. which was tho city's de-
fense. was In ruins. They had De
con,e so accustomed to such condi-
tions that they had no hope OF chang
;np them. We also become so "a
miiiar with modern evils that we are
ant to consider them as an essential
part of life until we are stirred up
Nv some reformer like Nehemiah to
ciaan IN our city and correct our i'm
moral social conditions.
Nehemiah understood how to deal
with a disorganized, suspicious popu-
lace who were torn by class hatred.
He aroused their enthusiasm by MS
sound appeal to their patriotic senu-
mentS, He pOlHttu oul ehS
tude Of the proposition which ne
summoned them to undertake ano
showed how each person shouio
realize their personal responsibility
| for the part "over against his mousse
and by a cooperative effort the TASK
could be done for Gods glory. he
| did not underestimate the danger and
difficuIties that they faced. Failure
was Impossible to Nehemiah, for his
hope was in the help Of the God ot
heaven. :,
,Difficulties must always be faced
No progress is possible without over
| coming the barriers in the pathway
Nehemiah had to conquer diHcultles
from three different quarters. the
workingmen were few and OF Linn
While some good stones would be
| found in the rubbish, most of those
used probably would be hewed in the
cuarries near the city. The bearers
| Of the burden, or porters. whose duty
| called for them to assemble the
stones and help place them In the
wall. were exhausted in their efforts
| The higher the walls the more dim
cult the task; yet Nehemiah succeed
| ed in organizing this dimcult engi'
neering task with utmost efhciency
| spurring the men on to DO their bes'
f1n the face OF danger:
| The governor proved that he pos.
sessed the qualities of an excellent
military genius when he met the op'
position Of Sanballat. who apparently
l held some civil commission In Sama.
tria under Artaxerxes ana the cfnel