Evening star., 1923-06-09
Sunday School Lesson

up along the Euphrates river and
came down over the desert from Da
mascus, down through Syria TO Jc-
rusalem.
Nehemiah was an executive and
engineer who organized his work
after he had personally found out
the facts. He checked up the re
ports that he had received from his
brother and others by a series of Sc
cret midnight Investigations of the
conditions of the City's wall and for
tii1cations. 1t was then that he called
the leaders 10 a conference, created
an atmosphere Of confidence, so that
they rallied to his call to attempt the
impossible He made it clear to them
that II took more than man power
TO restore the nations fortifcation,
for he summoned them to put their
faith in God and do His viii.
1t was not long before he faced
the bitter opposition Of those who
claimed that they had A right 10
snare in the work Of Jehovah. His
efforts met with ridicule and VIC
lence. When this failed TO break
down the morale Of the workmen
! and falsehood. The resistance OF
the enemy was not as difficult for
Nehemiah to master as was tho dis
coura cement, divisions and diScou-
tent within the ranks of the work
ers. The poor workmen felt thr
scarcity Of provisions and tho high
prices that prevented their obtaininr
the necessary food 70 supply tho
strength needed TO carry on thu
work. They demanded corn ami
threatened that If il was not given
they would break down the granaries
and take il. They complained that the
wealthy class was depressing them.
taking their children that had been
pledged as security for debt and selling
them into slavery.
Nehemiah sympathizcd with thc
cry of the poor for relief. He cor
rected the abuses practiced by til.
wealthy by citing his own example.
He persuaded them to remove the
burden and make their contribution
toward the security of the capital
city. He appealed TO all to put their
dependence for victory upon the
Lord. He prayed and urged all To
pray their program of defens"
through. While he placed his faith
in the Lord. he prepared to meet the
hostility of the enemies who planned
| to make an offensive drive against
Jerusalem that would stop their fin
ishing the task. He divided and or
ganized the work in such a manner
| that he filled the workers with the
| spirit of cooperation and speeded
up their work. 80 that they finished
| rebuilding the walls and the gates
within less than two months. The
completion Of the fortiffcations in
| such short time was due without
| and energy. Its completion was
| celebrated with great dedication
service.
The sanctitv Of the temple and
| to Nehemiah than his own life.
| When his work Of rebuilding tho
| city walls and gates was finished il
| made the capital secure and marked
| the commencement of a new era IN
| the nations history, so that all fu-
| ture generations have looked back
| upon him as the builder of the ma
| tion. Nehemiah won his triumph
| 1t was natural that he should cali
| the nation to a great dedication
service that took place in front Of
| the temple.
Scriptures were given first place The
program followed Gods word. II
| brought home TO them that their
fathers had been driven into exile
because they neglected the Sabbath
and failed to obey Gods commands.
We have been passing through a
world war because the nations of the
earth have forgotten God and neglect
| ed to do His will. We are called upon
to rebuild and restore the religion OF
| our fathers. Let US not fail to note
the evidence of the broken walls and
| fallen gates. Men no longer give the
place to worship and the Lords day
as they did. The security and stabil-
| ltS or CIVILIZATION call Tor the OD-
servance Of one day in seven. which
is Divine gift to man to be used
| for the glory of our Lord. SpirituaI
and not temporal power is permanent.
/ After a brief absence at Shusahn.
Nehemiah returned and found he had
] to play the part of reformer, which he
/ did The record of his life closes
| with the prayer. Remember me, -
my God. for good" The memory of mis-
| life has inspired others, who have fol-
lowed the Nehemiah in devoting their
wealth TO the glory of God and the vel
| fare of humanity. Let US devote our all
J for our country civilization and the
| cause of Christ, doing whatsoever we do
"heartily. as unto the Lord, and not