Great Men Part 3

THE OFFSPRING OF GREAT MEN SOMETIMES ALSO BECOME GREAT MEN -- "And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men" (Nehemiah 11:14). Of whatever sort, greatness often begets greatness. At least sometimes the old adage "like father, like son" comes true when the son of a great man becomes such himself. In the case above, Zabdiel was the son of a great man who became one of Nehemiah's "mighty men of valor," yea, even their overseer. 

So, Zabdiel's father was a great man, and Zabdiel himself became a great man in his own right. Perhaps his name gives us a clue about why Zabdiel followed his father's example of greatness. According to Strong's Concordance, "Zabdiel"  means: "Gift of God". We might see in this that Zabdiel's father was a great man of God who considered his son to be, as it were, "a talent on loan from Jehovah" -- a son who after having been given of God was to be carefully and prayerfully raised for God. This, it seems, may have been the very reason why Zabdiel also became a great man, zealous in his work for the God of Israel.

Many a godly and great father and mother in spiritual Israel who have dedicated their children to God at, or even before, the time of their birth have lived to see those "Gifts of God" become great men and women of God themselves. Were I to do a detailed research on such cases, I venture to say that I could probably fill many pages with such examples. Yea, perhaps even now the reader can call to mind one or more such cases where spiritual greatness begat spiritual greatness -- where concerning a Christian giant the adage "like father, like son" came true, and where regarding great piety the Scripture, "As is the mother, so is her daughter" (Ezek. 16:44) has been literally fulfilled.

Conversely, that same adage and that same Scripture have proven true in other realms of greatness -- many of which have been a curse to the world:-- great men of greed and wealth have often brought forth greatly avaricious sons; great men of ambition have introduced into society sons with huge aspirations to be somebody; great men of political power have begotten sons with a hunger for even greater dictatorial designs; and similar curses have come into our world when the daughter of many a Jezebel mother has more than proven that "as is the mother, so is her daughter" to degrade the morals of mankind.

Happy the case, when it is otherwise, and great men and women of God bring forth and raise up for the world sons and daughters who become even greater spiritual giants "that do know their God, [and who are] strong, and do exploits" for Christ exceeding those of their forebears (Dan. 11:32).

Great Men Part 2

HE TRAINING OF GREAT MEN CAN BE ETERNALLY FATAL -- "Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up... So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining" (2 Kings 10:6, 11).

In various ways, Jehu is hardly an exemplary character, though God used him to bring judgment upon the house of Ahab. The essence of what I would draw from the above verses is that Ahab's great men trained, or brought up, Ahab's 70 sons, and in the end, by Divine judgment, death fell upon both those 70 sons whom the great men trained and upon the great men themselves.

Proverbs 22:6 declares: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." But great men in this world often train, or bring up, young people in ways that they should not go -- in ways which shall prove to be eternally fatal both to their students and to themselves. Such great men, who greatly err in what and how they train children and youth, are to be found in places of great influence around the globe today. Many of these fatally faulty instructors are in universities of supposedly "higher learning" -- but wherever located they are training succeeding generations of youth to lampoon the Bible as a ridiculous collection of Judeo-Christian fairy-tales, teaching them to reject creation and embrace evolution, instructing them to joke about Christ's salvation and embrace one-world revolution; causing them to devalue human life and debunk accountability, leading them think that the way to become immortal is to become immoral; and in effect guiding them into the Lake of Fire instead of into the River of Life.

Such supposedly "great men" are actually dwarfs enlarged in the eyes of men through Satan's deceitful magnifying glass -- moral midgets who appear to be mental giants, but whose supposedly elevated coaching has plunged millions, including themselves, on the downgrade to hell with no way to stop the coach!

H. T. Davis told of "a stage-driver in a Western Territory was on his death-bed. He kept moving his foot from one side of the bed to the other. His wife said to him, 'What is the matter? 'O, said he, I am on an awful down-grade, and I can't get my foot on the brake.' If you continue in sin, in a little while you will find yourself on the awful down-grade, with no power whatever to stop. Better stop now, before you reach the awful down-grade, when it will be impossible for you to stop."

Also interesting is H. T. Davis' preceding paragraph, showing that many of those whom Davis considered to be in danger of being like the unable-to-stop stagecoach driver, were men who had been highly educated.  Here is the paragraph that preceded the above quotation from H. T. Davis: "Graduates of Harvard, Yale, and other universities are found throughout the wild West, and some of them are coarse, ugly, horribly profane, and physically low in their tastes. It is estimated that there are five hundred cowboys on the frontier that are graduates of first-class Eastern universities. Don't imagine that these cowboys out on the plains are all ignorant, stupid fellows. Many of them are bright, keen, and the ripest scholars. They yielded to sin and its evil influences, and they reached the lowest level in a very short time. "There is no descent so low as that which drops from the greatest height."

In our time those schooled and fooled by the devil through erudite "great men" are not so likely to be found riding the range, nor even suspected of being "stupid fellows". Most of the misinformed, misguided scholars of today are probably situated in positions of high respect and great influence where they too, in turn, are passing on their erroneous erudition.

Those who plan on staying out of hell should take heed about just what sort of "great men" it is from whom they learn. Proverbs 19:27 says, "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." It matters not how many degrees witty professors have nor how lucid their logic may seem, "if they speak not according to this word [God's Word] it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).  Their training is on a track toward the end of a line which shall crash to a sudden and eternal stop at the Judgment, and land themselves and all onboard into the abyss of everlasting destruction!

Great Men Part 1

THE NAME OF GREAT MEN IS RARELY GAINED THROUGH HUMILITY -- "And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth."  --  2 Samuel 7:9 -- "And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth."  --  1 Chronicles 17:8

"Great men that are in the earth" most often become men of renown for worldly, selfish, and proud, self-exalting reasons. Unlike such, David became great through his humility, and the story surrounding the above mentioning of his great name reveals this.

Feeling that it was unfit that he should dwell in a kingly house of cedar while the Lord dwelt in a tabernacle of curtains, David purposed to build the Lord a House worthy of His Divine Sovereignty. The prophet Nathan at first encouraged David to do so, but quickly God sent him back to the king with the message that such was not God's will. Then, after reciting to David how He [God] had raised him out of humble obscurity into high repute with a "name like the great men" on earth, the Lord stunned David by telling him that His Divine plan was quite the reverse of David's intention:-- David was not to build the Lord an House; the Lord was going to build David an House and Throne that would last forever -- (2 Sam. 7:16).

David's reaction reveals volumes about his character: "Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" (2 Sam 7:18). Though one who now had a great name, David's humility is seen here, and it was through his humble spirit that God had elevated David to such heights. Saul started humbly but quickly became inflated with pride, was never greatly elevated by God, and fell amidst ignominy and reproach. David started humbly rose to greater heights, and stayed there longer because, except on one sad occasion, he stayed humble.

To a great extent, David's greatness through his humility foreshadowed Jesus, The Greater David, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philip. 2:6-7).

King David was highly exalted through his humility, and because of His humility, we read of Jesus, the Son of David: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philip. 2:9-11).

The route to real and eternally enduring greatness for King David, for Christ Jesus, and for all is not through worldly ambition and pride, but through humility. F. B. Meyer once said:  "I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts."

ATHEISM PROVEN FALSE BY A MEAT-CHOPPER

ATHEISM PROVEN FALSE BY A MEAT-CHOPPER

Some time ago there appeared in the American Magazine an article by a manufacturer, with the following paragraph: "It takes a girl in our factory about two days to learn to put the seventeen parts of a meat chopper together. It may be that these millions of worlds, all balanced so wonderfully in space just happened; it may be by a billion years of tumbling about they finally arranged themselves. I don't know. I am merely a plain manufacturer of cutlery. But this I do know: that you can shake the seventeen parts of a meat chopper around in a washtub for the next seventeen billion years and you'll never make a meat chopper!" -- 2700-plus Illustrations, hdm0186, by DVM

Lesson Thirteen: Keeping God's Laws

 Today's lesson comes from Nehemiah 13: 15-27. Chapter 9 records that on the 24th day of the same month in which Ezra read the law, the people assembled together. There is a recounting of the history of Israel and God's gracious dealing with them. At the end of the chapter, the people make a "sure covenant" with the Lord. The people were in earnest. The dedication of Jerusalem's wall is recorded in 12: 27-43. Nehemiah relates that he had to return to the court of Artaxerxes in Babylon. When he returns to Jerusalem, he finds that the people have broken the covenant that they made with God. He then starts to put things in order. 

First, he cleanses the temple (vv. 7-9). Then he restores the portion of the Levites and the support of the temple (vv. 10-14). The lesson today records the keeping of the Sabbath (vv. 15-22) and the putting away of strange wives (vv. 23-27). In Nehemiah's absence, the people had neglected temple worship, crimes and sins increased, people were involved in sorcery, adulteries, false swearing, oppression, and cheating widows and the fatherless. They returned to the custom of mixed marriages. They committed the sin of Sabbath-breaking, which is the main subject of this lesson.

The first section is: "Corrective Measures Taken." Nehemiah took the following corrective action:

1. He drove Tobiah out of the temple and restored it to its proper uses (13: 7-9).

2. He reinstated the priests and Levites (13: 10-14). Services could now be held according to the law.

3. He compelled the people to cease from their heathen marriage alliances (13: 23-28). He showed that Solomon himself had been led astray by marrying heathen women. 

The summary points of this section are:

1. Regular worship will assist people from falling back into sin.

2. To walk together, you must be in agreement.

3. We should not be yoked with unbelievers.

The second section is "Sabbath Desecration." (vv. 15,16) The Sabbath was being desecrated in the following ways:

1. They were "treading wine presses." These means they were working crushing grapes into juice.

2. They were "bringing in sheaves." They brought these into the city to thresh and sell on the Sabbath.

3. They were selling "wine, grapes, and figs." 

4. Foreign dealers were present from Tyre who were devoted to commerce. They had formed a settlement for the sale of merchandise.

All these evils were closely allied. The desecration of the Lord's house led to the violation of the Sabbath. 

The summary points of this section are:

1. We should honor the Sabbath today by our actions and deeds.

2. Allowing people of different beliefs to be in positions of power can drag you into sin.

3. As much as it is possible, we should refrain from commercial work on the Sabbath.

The third section is "Sabbath Reform." (vv. 17-22) Nehemiah's reforms included the following:

1. He started with the leaders, "nobles."  Those with higher rank can have a greater influence.

2. He reminded them of the past history with their fathers and what happened when they disregarded the Sabbath. Failure to keep the Sabbath led to other errors. 

3. He took action and "commanded that the gates should be shut," and they were "not to be opened till after the Sabbath." He removed the temptation to disregard the Sabbath by restricting access to merchants who did not honor the Sabbath.

4. He threatened and rebuked those that sought to commercialize the Sabbath.

5. He commanded the Levites to guard the gates as they were more appropriate keepers of the city gates.

6. He prayed to God and looked to Him for protection and blessings.

The summary points of this section are:

1. Those with position in the church or status in the community have an obligation to be leaders for the people.

2. You don't catch wellness from others, you can catch sickness. Cut off the source of your temptation.

3. Always remember to pray even following a spiritual victory.

The fourth section is "The Sabbath of Today." The commandment to keep the Sabbath came from God. It is not a Jewish law, but a law that "was made for man," all men. The commandment requires us to observe a day of sacred rest after every six days of labor. Whether it is called Saturday or Sunday depends on when you start the count of day one of the six days of labor. At the end of the sixth day, we are to rest in the LORD.

What does Sabbath observance look like:

1. A day of joy;

2. A day of  of rest from bodily toil;

3. A day of worship;

4. A day to avoid unnecessary labor, worldly pleasure, travel, etc.; and 

5. A day to study God's Word.

It is a pattern that people and churches that have regressed in their spiritual life started on that road by treating the Sabbath as just another day. Honor God and His Word, and He will honor you.

The summary points for this section are:

1. The command to keep the Sabbath is not just for Jews.

2. Keeping the Sabbath means focusing on God and not yourselves.

3. Failure to keep the Sabbath starts one on a path away from God.

The Golden Text is: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119: 11) The Word of God is a treasure  to be internalized. This is more than memorization. It involves the molding of desires, ambitions, affections, and personality traits. The psalmist understood the relationship between having God's Word in his heart and the avoidance of sin. Do you?

HOW MOODY PREACHED TO THE ATHEISTS

HOW MOODY PREACHED TO THE ATHEISTS

In East London during the visit of Moody and Sankey a hall in the dense working population of that city had been reserved one evening for an address to atheists skeptics and freethinkers. Bradlaugh, champion of atheism, hearing of this meeting ordered all clubs he had formed to take possession of the hall. They obeyed and one thousand men marched in from all directions. The atheists laughed when Moody asked the men to choose their favorite hymns, for atheists do not sing hymns. Mr. Moody spoke from: "Their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." He poured in a broad side of telling incidents from his own experience of the deathbeds of Christians and atheists, and let the men be the judges as to who had the best foundation to rest their faith upon. He attacked them in their most vulnerable points their hearts of unbelief.

The sermon ended. Mr. Moody announced a hymn and gave opportunity for all to leave who did not want to stay for the inquiry meeting. Moody was astonished when not one man vacated his seat. After a few words Mr. Moody asked all who would receive Christ to say "I will." One person, the leading club man, shouted "I won't."

Moody said: "Men you have your champion here in the middle of the hall who said 'I won't.' I ask every man here who believes that man is right to rise and say, 'I won't.'" None arose. "Thank God" said Moody. "Now who'll say 'I will?'" The Holy Spirit seemed to have broken loose upon that great crowd and five hundred men sprang to their feet saying, "I will, I will," till the whole atmosphere was changed and the battle was won. -- 2700-plus Illustrations, hdm0186, by DVM

ATHEISM PROVEN FALSE BY CREATION

ATHEISM PROVEN FALSE BY CREATION

Sir Isaac Newton had among his acquaintances a philosopher who was an atheist. It is well known that the illustrious man, who takes the first rank as a mathematician, natural philosopher, and astronomer, was at the same time a Christian. He had in his study a celestial globe, on which was an excellent representation of the constellations and the stars which compose them. His atheist friend, having come to visit him one day, was struck with the beauty of the globe. He approached it, examined it, and, admiring the work, he turned to Newton and said to him, "Who made it?" " No one! " replied the celebrated philosopher." The atheist understood, and was silent. -- 2700-plus Illustrations, hdm0186, by DVM

HOW MR. WESLEY WAS LED INTO THE LIGHT OF FULL SALVATION

HOW MR. WESLEY WAS LED INTO THE LIGHT OF FULL SALVATION.

 

"but how came this opinion into my mind? I will tell you with all simplicity. In 1725 I met with Bishop Taylor’s 'Rules of Holy Living and Dying.' I was struck par­ticularly with the chapter upon intention, and felt a fixed intention 'to give myself up to God.' In this I was much confirmed soon after by the 'Christian Pattern,' and longed to give God all my heart. This is just what I mean by perfection now: I sought after it from that hour."—

Journal, May, 1765.

 

Mr. Wesley was then in his twenty-third year, and Bishop Taylor was an eminent prelate in the English Episcopal Church.

 

"In the following year (1726) I met with Kempis' 'Chris­tian Pattern.' The nature and extent of inward religion, the religion of the heart, now appeared to me in a stronger light than ever it had done before."

 

Thomas a Kempis was an Augustine monk, distin­guished for his apostolic simplicity and purity. His "Christian Pattern" has been translated into all modern languages, and published in more than a thousand editions.

 

"In 1727, I read Mr. Law's 'Christian Perfection.' and 'Serious Call.' and more explicitly resolved to be all devoted to God, in body, soul, and spirit. In 1730 I began to be homo unius libri! ¹ to study (comparatively) no book but the Bible. I then saw, in a stronger light than ever before, that only one thing is needful, even faith that worketh by the love of God and man, all inward and outward holiness; and I groaned to love God with all my heart, and to serve Him with all my strength.

 

"January 1, 1733, I preached the sermon of the 'Circum­cision of the heart'; which contains all that I now teach concerning salvation from all sin, and loving God with an undivided heart. In the same year I printed (the first time I ventured to print anything) for the use of my pupils, 'A Collection of Forms of Prayer;' and in this I spoke ex­plicitly of giving 'the whole heart and the whole life to God.' This was then, as it is now, my idea of perfection, though I should have started at the word.

 

"In 1735, I preached my farewell sermon at Epworth, in Lincolnshire. In this, likewise, I spoke with the utmost clearness of having one design, one desire, one love, and of pursuing the one end of our life in all our words and actions.

 

"In January, 1738, I expressed my desire in these words: —

 

O grant that nothing in my soul

May dwell but thy pure love alone! 

O may thy love possess me whole,

My joy, my treasure, and my crown! 

Strange flames far from my heart remove,

My every act, word, thought be love!

 

"And I am still persuaded this is what the Lord Jesus hath bought for me with His own blood.

 

"Now, whether you desire and expect this blessing or not, is it not an astonishing thing that you, or any man living, should be disgusted at me for expecting it; and that they should persuade one another, that this hope is 'subversive of the very foundations of Christian experience?' Why then, whoever retains it cannot possibly have any Christian ex­perience at all. Then, my brother, Mr. Fletcher, and I, and twenty thousand more, who seem both to love and fear God, are, in reality, children of the devil, and in the road to eternal damnation."—

Journal, May, 1765.

 

"Many years since, I saw that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. I began by following after it and in­citing all with whom I had any intercourse to do the same. Ten years after, God gave me a clearer view than I had before of the way how to attain it, namely, by faith in the Son of God. And immediately I declared, to all, 'We are saved from sin, we are made holy by faith.' This I testified in private, in public, in print, and God confirmed it by a thousand witnesses."—

Vol. vii. p. 38.

 

This was written in 1771. In 1744, nearly thirty years before, he wrote: —

 

"In the evening, while I was reading prayers at Snows-field, I found such light and strength as I never remember to have had before. I saw every thought as well as action or word, just as it was rising in my heart, and whether it was right before God, or tainted with pride or selfishness.

 

"I waked the next morning, by the grace of God, in the same spirit; and about eight, being with two or three that believed in Jesus, I felt such an awe, and tender sense of the presence of God, as greatly confirmed me therein; so that God was before me all day long. I sought and found Him in every place; and could truly say, when I lay down at night, 'now I have lived a day.'"—

Journal, Dec., 1744.

 

These paragraphs contain the substance which Mr. Wesley left in writing regarding his experience of full salvation. He seldom recorded his personal religious experience in his Journals, and yet we have as much regarding his experience of sanctification as of justifi­cation. The most he says about his justification, was that at Aldersgate he felt "his heart strangely warmed." This is often quoted respecting his justification, while the foregoing statements are both as clear and as definite respecting his sanctification. There is just as much propriety, in the light of his Journals, in asserting that he did not claim to be justified, as that he did not claim to be sanctified.

 

His whole life and work, during a long and useful ministry, teach more positively than any words of his, that his consecration and faith received a Divine re­sponse in the blessed experience which he insisted upon in others, and into which he led so many thousands of his hearers. There is no reason for believing that John Wesley sent his people ahead of himself, or that he led them into richer fields of light, sweetness, and love, than he himself enjoyed.

 

¹A man of one book.

CHRISTIAN SELF-RENUNCIATION VS. ATHEISTIC SELF-ASSERTION

CHRISTIAN SELF-RENUNCIATION VS. ATHEISTIC SELF-ASSERTION

In the third verse of the chapter under consideration, the inspired writer said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." E. Stanley Jones says of this scripture that it means renounced in spirit," or poor by choice."

This is quite different from Nietzsche's, the German atheist's, philosophy of life, which was, "Assert yourself -- be a superman -- the world is yours if you can get it." But Nietzsche's self-assertive philosophy drove him insane, and his German philosophic followers plunged their nation into the most devastating war that the world had known. They caused them to suffer a humiliation and an infliction that will require generations to heal.

Christ's method to reach life's desired goal is directly opposite to that of the German philosopher. Christ exhorts us to practice self-renunciation. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself." This strikes the deathblow to self-assertive aggression. -- "Sanctification, the Price of Heaven," hdm0310, by Fred M. Weatherford

AN ATHEIST WHO WAS SLAIN BY GOD

AN ATHEIST WHO WAS SLAIN BY GOD

A notorious infidel had a considerable following in a certain town. He was one of the braggart stamp, and seemed to revel in his outpourings of blasphemy against God. One day, in the height of his folly, he challenged God, if such a Being existed, to fight him in a certain wood. The day came, and he went defiantly to the wood, stayed a certain time, and returned home again apparently all right, and no doubt jubilant of his seeming success. But when in the wood there had alighted on his eyelid a tiny midge, which he brushed away, paying no attention to it. At night it swelled up, and blood poisoning setting in, he died. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." God sent one of His tiniest insects, and the boasting braggart fell before it. -- 2700-plus Illustrations, hdm0186, by DVM

HOW AN OLD ATHEISTIC CAPTAIN CAST ANCHOR IN A SAFE HARBOR

HOW AN OLD ATHEISTIC CAPTAIN CAST ANCHOR IN A SAFE HARBOR

I was in the Soldiers' Home at Eric, Pa. I had spoken to the old soldiers in the chapel. As I came down from the platform, the gentleman said to me:

"There is one room I want not to visit. We have had in this institution the captain of the old Merrimac. He came into this institution an atheist. He never would come into the services, and when he was asked to read the Bible, he just scorned the thought of it. When he was in his room here, before he died, I brought in a Bible and said, 'Captain, would you like to read this Bible?' and he scorned the proposition; it looked as though it was useless to say anything more to him. But I said: 'Suppose you read the Bible and see whether there is anything in it that you could believe, and if there is not, you tell me so. But as you read, whenever you find anything that you think you might receive, suppose you mark it with red ink.' He thought that was a good way to prove there was nothing in the Bible for him. I had him begin with the Gospel of John. He read two chapters without marking anything. He began on the third chapter and read fifteen verses without being moved. He began on the sixteenth verse, and then the old captain marked the verse red. He could receive a text like that."

By this time we had reached the room where the old captain had died a few weeks before and there was the pasteboard anchor the old man had cut out for himself, and the words were his own, printed in red ink, "I have cast anchor in a safe harbor." The very floor seemed to be like holy ground. They sent his Bible home, but they tell me you would have a hard time to find a page without red on it. He had come to receive the whole book. That is the work of the spirit. His work was just that. The old captain would have nothing to do with a minister, and he would have nothing to do with a person who spoke of Jesus Christ; he didn't want to have anything to do with Christ. It was the work of the Holy Ghost. -- "Modern Day Parables," hdm0072, by J. Wilbur Chapman

Lesson Twelve of the Quarter: Hearing God's Word

 Today's lesson comes from Nehemiah 8:1,3, 5-12. In our culture, it is essential that one attend a Bible believing church to be taught the Word of God. The Jews, who returned from Babylonian captivity, realized how important it was. As our society drifts farther away from God, we must beware lest we be caught in its moral ebb tide. We must be ardent students of God's Word so we may "keep the way of the LORD."

The construction of the wall was finished on the 25th day of the sixth month. Ezra's reading of the law took place on the 1st day of the seventh month. The wall was finished, but the people understood that God was their ultimate protector. 

The first section is: "The Reading of the Law." vv. 1-8 In these verses, we understand that the people came together to hear God's Word read and explained to them. The following are the people's attitude and response to the reading:

1. The attendance was voluntary ("The people gathered themselves together as one man.")

2. Ezra was well qualified to read the Law to the people  as he was both a scribe and a priest. That is why the people called him "to bring the book of the law of Moses."

3. The 1st day of the seventh month was the day of the "Feast of Trumpets" (Lev. 23:24), the first day of the civil year. The people's desire to hear the law may have been from their desire to correctly observe the feast. They knew their true defense came from God, they wanted to be in conformity to His law in order to have His favor.

4. The people heard Ezra from a raised platform which was large enough to accommodate the thirteen other men that accompanied him. 

5. The people were "attentive unto the book of the law." When Ezra unrolled the scroll, the entire assembly stood up. This act revealed their respect and honor they were giving to the occasion. 

6. Ezra began by giving words of praise to God, "Blessed be the LORD, the great God."

7. The people responded, "Amen, Amen." The people acknowledged God's greatness.

8. The people showed their submission by bowing their heads, and prostrating themselves on the ground in worship of the great King. 

9. Since the people had been in captivity for seventy years, some people did not comprehend what was being read. So Ezra and those on the platform with him read the Law "distinctly" (clearly) and "gave the sense" of the words to the people. In other words, they explained the Law to them.

The summary points of this section are:

1. Neglecting God's Word brings weakness in your spiritual life.

2. Without the preaching of the Word, there will not be conviction of sin.

3. We need good faithful Bible teachers to guide and help us.

The second section is: "Instruction for the People." vv. 9-12 The people began to weep when they heard the words of the law. They were sorrowful because they had departed from keeping the commands of God. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites realized that the people could not be left in a sorrowful condition. Festivals were to be a time of gladness and praise (Numbers 10:10). The first day of the seventh month was to be a time of rejoicing.

Nehemiah instructed the people to "Eat the fat, and drink the sweet." They were to enjoy the best meal they could and not to forget those for "whom nothing is prepared." As much as they were able, they were to attend to the needs of the poor. We should do the same.

Nehemiah wanted the people to rejoice and told them, "The joy of the LORD is your strength." Religious joy is based on forgiveness, is dependent on obedience, and is independent of circumstances. As Christians, we have all the more reasons to rejoice in the LORD. We know our sins are forgiven and we have a place secured for us in eternity. 

So "all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and send portions, and to make great mirth." The reason for their rejoicing was they now had clarity of direction and purpose, "because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." It is a privilege to have God's Word and to understand it. God's Word brings light, instruction, hope and direction.

The summary points of this section are:

1. God's Word gives you direction, hope and guidance.

2. We have a responsibility to help those in need.

3. We should be a rejoicing people.

The Golden Text is, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." (Psalm 119:165) One of the sure signs of one's salvation is a forgiving heart. People that hold grudges and are easily offended most likely have not received a new heart from the Lord Jesus Christ. If He is your LORD, should you not act like Him? On the cross He said, "Father , forgive them...." What do you say when you are done wrong? Is it, "I am offended," or is it, "Father, forgive them." You will have great peace when you act like the LORD Jesus Christ and love His law.

Next week, "Keeping God's Laws." (Nehemiah 13: 15-27)

HOW JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD WAS CURED OF ATHEISM

HOW JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD WAS CURED OF ATHEISM

"This was too much for my sensitive conscience, and the devil took the advantage of it by setting me to reasoning thus: "Does this man believe the Bible? Did Jesus set such an example of trifling in the presence of a perishing world? Is it true that sinners are now passing away, every hour, to the judgment? Is this like Paul, who for the space of three years, night and day, with tears, labored for the salvation of sinners? Am I in a hallucination? Am I wild, or blind? Be it as it may be, all I can see from my standpoint is the Saviour of the world, staggering under a world's sin, while its masses in proud procession are on their way to eternal night. If the Bible is true, the world is on the eve of a terrible catastrophe, and about to pass into eternity unprepared. I can hardly stop to sleep lest men be lost while I am at rest. There must be a mistake somewhere, and it is quite probable I am the one that is mistaken. The elder is a man of years, and in all probability when young was as zealous and ardent as I am, but he has found that religion is a sham, and now continues to preach for the profit it is to him. I will never accept of a license until I settle the question for myself of the truth or falsity of the Christian religion."

He refused the license, and after the quarterly meeting went home to his father's house. In after years he could look back and see that here was the great mistake of his life. He says: "Little did I dream that I had undertaken one of the most absurd tasks imaginable. I might as well have attempted to solve a question in algebra, by the principles of music, or the science of astronomy by

the rules of grammar, as to attempt to solve the problems of religion by the light of reason. However, I began the attempt. But I again found myself beset with people who would urge upon me their impressions of my duty to go into the gospel field. To get rid of this annoyance, I again resolved to go where I was not known. My motives for going I kept a secret, lest I should involve others in my perplexity."

In the peculiar state of mind described in the foregoing chapter, young Redfield again left home, going about a hundred miles from where he was known. In less than a fortnight after his arrival at his new destination, however, he was questioned about the duty of preaching. This caused him to leave again. This time he chose a place where he felt sure he would not be annoyed by anything of that kind, but here he found old acquaintances who raised the question, within a week. Then he left again, resolved not to profess religion at the next place, nor to have anything to say on the subject, thinking in that way to avoid the annoyance. Soon after this he found himself beset with infidel notions; and at last his faith in Christianity utterly gave way. He could now get along comparatively well in the daytime, but his nights would be filled with dreams of preaching, and so overcome in his feelings would he be, that on waking he would find his pillow wet with tears. He now began to believe that he had been the dupe of deception through all his strange course. To end the matter once and for all he finally resolved to ask God to take away the conviction of duty, even if it was from him. He had heard of a man who did that, and who was instantly relieved, never to have the feeling come back. He now experienced the same relief. In after years, when looking back with horror upon this passage in his life, he could only account for the after return of the Spirit by referring it to the prayers and intercessions of his mother. He says:

"I felt the Holy Spirit leave me as plainly as I ever felt the taking off of my coat; and yet with no greater alarm than at the loss of a penny. To me, now, infidelity was a fact, and right in its wake came downright atheism. For as soon as I resolved to settle all theological questions by my external senses, a vague uncertainty came over everything. Nature's laws were all the God I could find, and the mere notion that a given system of religion might be true was the utmost my reason could conjecture. It now seemed to me that all the phenomena of religious emotion, of mental and moral changes, were due to laws within us, and beyond our control. Now, the funeral pall of annihilation settled down upon me, and I could see nothing but darkness and desolation. Man and earth seemed orphaned. I sought in anatomy, physiology, and philosophy for testimony to clear this up, and, if possible, give me a single fact to settle my distracted mind. One favorite haunt of mine during this period was an ancient Indian burying ground. Some of the graves were entirely gone, washed away by the high waters of an adjoining stream; others were partly gone, the dark sands of which gave traces of the bodies which had been laid there to rest several hundred years before. A few seashells, flint arrowheads and hatchets, and beads were all that bore testimony that these bodies had ever lived. In contemplation of these things my whole soul would cry out, while the suffocation of death seemed to be upon me, "O God, if there be a God, send me to the hell of the Bible, but don't annihilate me." It seemed to me at such times that I could have died a hundred deaths if that would have made the Christian doctrines true, and have run my chances of heaven or hell.

I now commenced the systematic study of anatomy, for the purpose of ascertaining whether man had a conscious, thinking, acting, soul, independent of the body, or whether a fortuitous combination of matter in conjunction with material laws might not produce the phenomena we

observe; and therefore these phenomena cease with the combination. Among other works, treating upon this subject, I met with Paley's Natural Theology Illustrated, which gave a sober, commonsense, bias to my mode of reasoning. As a result of this I was cured of atheism and infidelity. I now saw the fogs of doubt all clear away, and the doctrine of the nature, operations, independence, and perpetuity, of the human soul, redeemed from all doubt, and established upon solid foundations."

While he was passing through all this, his mother, hearing of his infidelity and abandonment of religion and all thought of entering the Christian ministry, became very sad and would not be comforted. Not only were her hopes, but her faith also was involved with his. In his failure, she saw all her hopes concerning him, from his infancy, dashed to the ground. She pined away, and nearly lost her mind in mourning over him. She became so weak, that she would stop strangers as they passed her door, and ask them in plaintive tones, "Have you seen my son, John? Where is he? and what is he about?" Only as a pious mother could, she kept his case before God, and quite likely it was in answer to her prayers that he was finally brought back not only to Christ, but into the work of soul-saving, for which he became so eminent. -- "The Life of John Wesley Redfield," hdm0163, by J. G. Terrill

PEARL POE WARNED A VILE ATHEIST

PEARL POE WARNED A VILE ATHEIST

A blinding blizzard blew up and our train came near being snowbound. They had to buck high drifts. When I got on the train, I met a professor from the State Teacher's College. He saw that I was a clergyman, and asked of what faith. I told him I was a fundamentalist. He laughed a devil-like laugh and said, "Ho, ho, we are going to make you fundamentalists lay your Bibles down in twenty years." I said, "We who?" He said, "We, the Atheist Association of America." I said, "How?" He replied, "We are going to put teachers in the schools to do it. We will put in textbooks with no morals, take out the Bible, teach evolution, and promote games." He continued, "You church folk put on your meetings in the fall and winter. We will put on games and keep the students so busy they cannot attend your meetings. You teach modesty; we are going to teach the young folk not to think seriously on any thing, and that all the God there is, is in nature, and any part of nature they serve is God. When we get them to be immodest, nature will make its demands."

I asked, "Mister, am I hearing you right? Do you mean to say that your plans are to teach our young people that living a loose life sexually is God?" "Yes, sir," was his reply. Then I talked to him about Romans one and part of chapter two. He moved to another seat and I followed him. When he sat down, I sat down beside him. I said, "Mister, you started this, but I will finish now, and God will finish hereafter." God helped me to put it plain to him. Then I told him my experience. He said, "That I cannot argue with you." Then he said, "You know there are forty billion stars." I said, "No, and neither do you know it. In the first place, you can't count to twenty billion, and another thing, God fixed the stars and no one knows how many there are." Then I went back to my subject of warning him, and quoting Scripture until he was like Felix -- he trembled. -- "The Power of God in a Redeemed Life," hdm0319, by Pearl Poe

A CHRISTIAN AND AN ATHEIST COMPARED

A CHRISTIAN AND AN ATHEIST COMPARED

Two great men were born almost at the same time. Both were far famed and nation named. Each died within a few months of the other and they died of the same disease. Their characters were diverse. One was a blessing and the other one became a curse. One was blessed by an abundance of grace and the other one was cursed with unbelief. Both appeared before the public and hundreds went to hear them. One believed in God, in Christ the Son of God, and the inspiration of the Bible; but the other one was an atheist, denying the Deity of Christ. One was the means of many being converted, of Bible Schools being established where many were trained for the ministry; while the other one lectured against Christianity, wrecking the faith of many. One was the servant of the Lord, helping the Lord to populate heaven; but the other one was the servant of Satan, helping him to populate hell. When the former was dying, some of his last words were: "This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! I have been looking forward to it for years." When the other one died, the Dobbs Ferry home was desolate and dark. The former was none other than

D. L. Moody and the latter one was Bob Ingersoll. Some time before Moody died he said, "One of these days you will read in big headlines that D. L. Moody, of Northfield, Massachusetts, is dead. Don't you believe a word of it because then I shall be more alive than ever." Some time before Bob Ingersoll died he said, "There is no God. I will prove it to you." He pulled out his watch and said, "If there is a God, I will give Him five minutes to strike me dead." The five minutes passed by and nothing happened. He said, "See, I have proven unto you there is no God." That did not prove the nonexistence of God, but rather proved the patience of God. Why should there be such a great difference between these two men? We understand both had Christian parents. One possessed the gift of salvation and a gift to evangelize, plus the measure of grace and the love of God to make him a holy man and well balanced in his gifts. Ingersoll, the infidel, rejected the Saviour and refused the grace of Christ. He was a dangerous person. All who are highly gifted should pray for sufficient grace and divine love in order to be well balanced in their heart life and ministry, to be holy so that God will be glorified, His cause honored, and self kept humble and usable in the sight of God and the people. -- "When He Is Come," hdm0370, by Joshua Stauffer

AN ATHEIST WON BY OBSERVING CHRISTIAN JOY

AN ATHEIST WON BY OBSERVING CHRISTIAN JOY

In pre-Communist days, Chang Po-Ling was perhaps China's greatest educator. For years he was a Confucian atheist. Gradually he became so oppressed by the awful prevalence of evil and suffering, and by the seemingly insurmountable problems of China, that he was thoroughly despondent and pessimistic. Finally he opened his heart to one of the Christian professors at his great university, C. H. Robertson. "I notice," he confessed, "that you Christians seem to have some

hidden source of joy and peace and power. What is the secret?" The outcome of that and subsequent conferences was a glorious and radical conversion to Christ. From that moment he was a radiant, fearless witness and an uncompromising Christian leader.

But Chang Po-Ling was not won by the theological arguments of the Christians. He was not won by their splendid morality -- he could match that himself. He was not won by their dedication to their work, for he was just as dedicated to China's youth as they were. But he had discovered that they had theology and morality and dedication -- plus. That plus was joy. And it was the plus of joy that won this great Chinese soul. He sensed that a religion which could give its disciples the calm radiance of true inner joy even in the midst of chaos must be divine. If Jesus Christ could do that for them, he wanted Jesus to do it for him. And He did.

Once again we need to be reminded that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." For personal victory, yes, but for soul winning too. Let us therefore refuse to allow Satan to rob us of our joy and thereby blunt the "cutting edge of our witness. God can use our learning and eloquence, to be sure; He can use our labors and sacrifices; He can use our money and our talents: but it may be that sometimes He can use our simple joyousness to tip the scale in favor of victory when all else fails. Let us not deprive our Lord of one of His essential tools for the building of His kingdom. Let us not foredoom our evangelism by pouring into it everything but joy. Let us rather search and find the secret of joy so deep and steadfast that it cannot help but glow in our faces and shine through our lives. Then men will say, "Where is this fountain of life which you have found?" -- "Joy for Dark Days," hdm0245, by Richard S. Taylor

HE WAS SAVED FROM A WASTED ATHEISTIC LIFE

HE WAS SAVED FROM A WASTED ATHEISTIC LIFE

He had made his boast that he would never attend church again, but one night I saw him come hobbling to the back seat. I talked to him after service and discovered he was a young university graduate. In a railroad accident he had lost both limbs above the knees. This loss, together with the fact that the railroad refused him any compensation, had soured him with life and people. For religion he had no use at all. He claimed to be an atheist. He was now filling a subordinate position in a local plant, burying his talents, and cursing man and God as he did so.

I invited him back, but he would not promise, yet, strangely enough, he returned the next Sunday evening, and also the next.

What could I say to this man who thought God and men were against him? Could I correct his false thinking and give him the proper outlook on life? I determined to try!

I prayed much for him. I tried to say something in each sermon to encourage him. Finally I decided to preach an entire message to him. I prayed about it, I studied hard for it, and I put my best into it. I went to church on the Sunday night I was to preach it greatly burdened for that young man.

As the service continued I commenced to be concerned. He had not come in. The song service was concluded; the announcements made; the special song ended, and still he had not made his appearance.

I stood up to preach; announced my subject and then my text. I thought God wanted me to preach that sermon and for the benefit of that one individual. But was I mistaken?

No, there the door opened, and he hobbled to a seat.

I repeated my text for his benefit: "To what purpose is this waste?" (Matt. 26:8).

That night, although the church was filled, I preached to one man. I told him that all waste is wickedness; that all lives were designed to have a divine ideal in them; that all wasting of life is traceable to absence of faith, to absence of love, or to indifference. And then I told him that all lives are reparable by redemption.

God got hold of the young man that night and he shook with conviction. But he would not come forward for prayer, although I extended the altar call. He made his way out before I concluded.

I went home feeling that I had failed. I wondered if anything would move him to an altar of prayer and to God. I was tormented with a doubt that he would ever get saved.

About an hour after I got home my phone rang. One of my good members who lived next to the church was calling.

"Say, Brother Strang," he exclaimed excitedly, "there is a young man here and he wants to see you. Hurry down for he is ready to pray."

Can you imagine my joy in finding it was the young man for whom I preached the message? It did not take long to pray him through to glorious victory.
Here is his testimony, as I remember it:

"I left the church tonight fighting against God. I was determined I wouldn't yield, but God spoke so forcibly that when I got home I couldn't rest, so I came back to the church for prayer. Finding it closed I came next door seeking help. I believe there is a God, and I am through rebelling against Him. He can have my heart and life. I've wasted too much of it already."

I went back home rejoicing, and firmly convinced that God can meet the life situation of anyone. There are thousands like this young man who need someone to get interested in them. Will you help God meet their need? -- "Meeting Life Situations," hdm0160, by C. B. Strang

AN ATHEIST CONVERTED THROUGH A SLUM FEAST

AN ATHEIST CONVERTED THROUGH A SLUM FEAST

A few years a go my attention was called to Luke 14:13, where Jesus was teaching the. divine principles of New Testament salvation. Here I made the startling discovery that very few of us are practically "Bible Christians." Many years ago I had covenanted to be a Bible Christian, and to walk in all the light received. This seemed to me like a new revelation. "When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed; for they can not recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."

Here I was convicted to practice, literally, the contents of this Scripture. Christmas was approaching. Chicago was spending fourteen million dollars for gifts alone, and everybody who could were making preparations for Christmas turkey dinners. I said to my family, we will not have turkey this Christmas, we will defer our dinner and spend Christmas in the slums. We announced that at twelve o'clock on Christmas Day the Mission in the slums on lower State Street would be opened, and a free dinner would be furnished to all homeless men.

Long before twelve o'clock, the street was thronged. The bums, thugs, tramps, and red-nosed drunkards of every description, in tattered garments, rags, and vermin, waited in zero weather for the door to open. Many of them were college bred. Doctors, lawyers, merchants, mechanics, and some from the best of homes, and in fact they were there from almost every walk of life. When the door was opened, with uncovered heads they marched in as orderly as a congregation of Quakers or Presbyterians. When the Mission was filled to the utmost capacity, the doors were closed. When all were seated at the long, well-filled tables, they politely bowed their heads while we asked God's blessing upon the food.

While a dozen of our mission workers served them with hot coffee and a palatable dinner, we preached to them the gospel of Christ. Many were the touching and pathetic scenes as their eyes filled with tears on account of the kindness shown them by the Christian workers.

When all were satisfied, we were forced to turn them out in the cold, and filled the Mission a second time with those who had stood out in the wintry blast. This was done a third, fourth, and fifth time. Each Mission full were prayed with, and preached to, and satisfied with the good things of the table.

Strong men as well as boys were seen choking with vivid recollections of their mothers and sisters, as our young women so freely served them. Many eyes were wet with tears at the remembrance of other Christmas days, their well-filled stockings in the "old chimney corner," and the Sweet voices ringing out, "I wish you a Merry Christmas."

Most people say it is folly to feed such worthless wretches, but as a result of that one dinner, seven of those men were brought to God that day. That dinner proved a wonderful quickening to the spiritual life of the Mission, and a wonderful incentive to activity in service.

That dinner cost about thirty-five dollars out side of some donations of food. That was five dollars a head for the souls that were saved that day. You may say that a "Bum" is not worth five dollars, but if he should be standing inside the "Gates of Pearl" to greet us when we arrive in heaven, we will think then that he is worth it. It was the kindness that broke their hearts. They were accustomed to everything else. You could not phase them with a policeman's club, or subdue them with a seven shooter, but kind words and deeds melted and conquered the most hardened hearts.

One of the men who was converted that day was an atheist, said he never had believed in God or religion, but when he saw the kindness shown to fallen men that day, he said there must be something in it, and sought and found God.

Beloved, those fellows do not need to be told about the "fall of man," "original sin," or an endless hell," they have acres of hell in their own hearts. They need some one to love them, and tell them there is hope. -- "Miracles in The Slums," hdm0547, by Seth Cook Rees

Lesson Eleven of the Quarter: Threatened but Determined

 Today's lesson comes from Nehemiah 4: 1-14. Last Sunday we saw Nehemiah receiving his commission and letters of authority from King Artaxerxes. He traveled to Jerusalem, inspected the ruined walls, and obtained the help of the people. Chapter three details the individuals who worked on the wall and lists the sections of their responsibility. However, immediately opposition arose. Sanballat, Tobiah and a new enemy, Gershon the Arabian sought to hinder them. Nehemiah was accused of starting a rebellion against the king. The enemies of the Jews were determined to stop Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The first section is "Rage and Ridicule." vv.1-3 A Jerusalem with walls could be a threat to the military and economic strength of Samaria. The opposition included Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballat was angry and mocked the Jews (verse 1). He spoke to the army of Samaria. In verse 2, he references stones that were burned. The walls of Jerusalem had been built out of limestone, which when subjected to fire, would become soft and unusable. Sanballat was saying that the Jews had inadequate building materials for what they were seeing to accomplish. Tobiah joined in and added to the mockery, "Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." He was saying that the work was so poor that even a small fox would break down the wall. In mocking the Jews, they were mocking the God of the Jews.  

The summary points of this section are:

1. Never allow the mockery of unbelievers deter you from God's work.

2. It is dangerous thing for men to boast of their might.

3. Focus on God's Word not man's opposition.

The second section is "Prayer and Progress." vv. 4-6 When facing opposition, your first move should be to go to God in prayer. That is what Nehemiah did. "Hear, O our God; for we are despised." You can find Nehemiah's prayers at 1:4; 4:4,5; 5:19; 6:9,14,22,29 and 31. God takes personally the mistreatment of His people. Saul (who became Paul) found that out when he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church and the Lord said to him, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest."

The next part of the prayer sounds a bit vindictive, but it is not. Nehemiah says, "Cover not their iniquity." Nehemiah wanted God to take notice of how they were treating His name. Sanballat had provoked God to anger "before the builders." Sanballat was causing alarm among the Jews and thus, frustrating the purposes of God. After praying, Nehemiah faced Sanballat's threats with prayer and work. He began again to build the wall. The people joined him. Soon, the entire wall had been raised to half its intended height.

The summary points of this section:

1. When you face opposition, go to God in prayer first.

2. After praying, begin to work.

3. Never try to vindicate yourself to others, leave it with God.

The third section is "Conspiracy and Caution." vv. 7-9 The Jews were surrounded:

1. Sanballat and the Samaritans were to the north;

2. Tobiah and the Ammonites on the east;

3. Arabians from the south; and

4. Ashdodites on the west.

These groups were not friends, but they united against a common enemy, i.e. the Jews. In the same way, the Sadducees and Pharisees differed in theology but united in their opposition to Christ. When news of the evil coalition came to Nehemiah, he went to prayer. Others were also involved in prayer, "We made our prayer unto God." After, Nehemiah set watchmen about the city to sound an alarm if the enemy advanced. The Jews sought God's protection and then they did what they could to secure their protection. You should not rely on prayer alone or on your watchfulness alone. The two principles should go hand in hand. 

The summary points of this section are:

1. Always approach any problem with prayer.

2. Always add to your prayers your actions that demonstrate responsibility.

3. God's enemies will unite together against God's people.

The fourth section is "Weariness and Warnings." vv. 10-12 Everyone who has ever be worn out can appreciate the Jews becoming weary. The work was hard. Day after day they dug stones out of the rubbish and ashes. Their strength was decayed (v. 10). In the same way, to carry a burden for lost souls and revival can be taxing. In verse 11, we learn that the enemies of the Jews had united and planned an open attack on the city. They were going to slip inside the city and start slaying Jews inside the wall. These raids would instill fear and discourage the laborers from continuing the work. 

Propaganda was being sown among the Jews who lived in the villages near the enemies' borders. The people were fearful that there would be a mighty assault made by the enemy. People from the nearby villages who were working on the wall were being told they needed to return to their villages to defend them against enemy attacks. This would slow down the work even more. The Jews were tired and under continual threats.

The summary points of this section are: 

1. The Lord is aware of all of Satan's plans.

2. Our approach to the future should be one of prayer and faithfulness.

3. Don't stop doing what you are called to do, even if you are weary.

The fifth section is "Armed and Admonished." vv. 13, 14 Facing both internal and external problems, Nehemiah took fast action. Families were gathered together and armed for battle. Nehemiah made sure that both the low and high places were guarded. Then, he encouraged the people as follows:

1. Don't be ruled by your fears.

2. Recall what God has done for you in the past.

3. The Lord is mighty and can strike terror in the hearts of the enemy. 

4. And, fight for your families and your houses.

Verse 15 relates how the enemies' counsel was frustrated. Their plans to destroy the Jews fell apart. 

The summary points of the section are:

1. Faith is the antidote for fear. 

2. We must always be ready to build and battle.

3. Fight the good fight of faith.

The Golden Text is: "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God." (New. 4:9) One main lesson from the life of Nehemiah is his dependence on prayer at the beginning. He started nothing until he had taken the matter to the Lord. We should listen and learn from him. When facing a challenge, the first thing is the main thing and the first thing should be prayer. After prayer, we begin to put our actions and seek to be faithful and obedient. Then, the problem truly is in God's hands.

Next week, "Hearing God's Word." (Nehemiah 8: 1, 3, 5-12)

HOW MUSGRAVE REID TURNED FROM ATHEISM TO CHRIST

HOW MUSGRAVE REID TURNED FROM ATHEISM TO CHRIST

Musgrave Reid, whose conversion is related in his booklet From Atheism to Christ, had been baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Church. Through the advent of a Ritualistic Clergyman to the Church he attended he became unsettled in his religious beliefs, and ultimately became a disciple of Charles Bradlaugh, the atheistical lecturer. Afterwards he became secretary of the "Manchester Fabian Society," secretary of the first "Socialist Association" in Lancashire, and General Secretary of the "Independent Labor Party." For twenty years he continued in the maze of unbelief.

The crisis of his life came about thus. His employers, Messrs. D. Ryland & Sons, Manchester, sent him on a business trip to the United States of America. He traveled 16,000 miles, and visited sixty-two cities and towns of the Republic, from Maine to California.

How he was led to renounce his infidelity is told as follows: "I was in the railway car, slowly climbing the wonderful Rocky Mountains. We had reached an altitude of 15,000 feet. We had left Colorado 90 degrees in the shade, and here we were passing through snow-capped

pinnacles, where eagles were sweeping past us as the train slowly labored up the heights. The panorama to a city man, brought up amidst the bricks and mortar of Manchester, was overwhelming. Here I beheld a wonderful cataclysm of nature. The 'Royal Gorge,' some three miles deep, lay on one side of the rails over which we were passing and we were now on the edge of a precipice, and again mounting up to another peak, until we reached the highest point. At this altitude the train climbed so slowly that all the passengers left the car, and I was alone. I sat in a reverie, gazing at the spectacle, whilst I began instinctively feeling about, so to speak, in my mind for an explanation of these wonders. The first definite thought was, Surely all this is not the result of fortuitous circumstances, blind chance, matter and force, or as we glibly say, 'a fortuitous concourse of atoms.' Something else than the atomic theory must account for all these wonders. Could 'evolution' explain it all? Evolution can give a plausible case for us while we are studying nature in our chamber amongst our books, but the immediate contact with nature herself in all her rugged beauty speaks to us of the existence of a higher power than ourselves.

"Insensibly I found my mind was undergoing a change, an irresistible feeling of wonder came, and reverence crept into my thoughts. I had ever been an honest seeker after truth, and the thought suddenly flashed into my mind, 'Might I, after all, have been mistaken?' I fell on my knees, and cried, 'Oh, God, if Thou dost exist, reveal Thyself.' I asked for light, and it came like a flood. The whole car seemed full of light. It was the veil torn off my mind by the Spirit of God. I felt I was in the presence of God, and I capitulated without a struggle. I who had so long resisted His gracious pleadings, who had rebelled against His authority so many years, was at last brought into submission. I arose from my knees filled with joy, saying, 'God is.' There had come to me the light which 'lighteth every man that cometh into the world' (John 1:9). There could be no 'association of ideas,' as some would say, to account for this, for as I fell on my knees I had in my hand one of Ingersoll's books which I had been reading. The sudden change simply meant that the Spirit of God had come into my life in spite of my resistance, without my seeking, and without the help of man or books, and I knew that I beheld the glory of God and all His wondrous works. Oh, what a revelation, what a revolution of ideas, what joy and peace to know the unfathomable love of God! Was I dreaming, or ill with the fever? Nay, neither, for I never felt better in health than at that moment. It was my first realization of the personal presence of God."

On reaching home he told his friends that he now believed in the existence of God. He so spoke of his discovery that his old infidel friends left him severely alone. But it is one thing to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, and it is another and a very different thing to know Him as He is revealed at the Cross of Calvary. Mr. Reid became awakened to an apprehension of his guilt and danger. His past life of sin and unbelief, of ingratitude and rebellion against God, made him tremble. The arch-enemy of souls suggested that he had been guilty of the "Unpardonable sin," and the thought so laid hold of him that he could not sleep. He bought a Bible, and night after night, when his wife was in bed, pored over the sacred page, longing to know if there was Salvation for such a sinner as he. He commenced at the first chapter of Genesis, and read the whole of the Old Testament without obtaining peace or comfort. Beginning at the New Testament, he read till be reached the marvelous words of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In that glorious Scripture he learned that God loved the "world," therefore He loved him; that He so loved it as to give the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to die for his crimson sins that he might not perish but have everlasting life. The word "WHOSOEVER"

included him, and by believing on the Saviour he had the assurance of Salvation, and could truthfully say:

"I do believe it, I will believe it,
I am saved through the blood of the Lamb;
My happy soul is free, for the Lord has pardoned me, Hallelujah to Jesus' Name!"

Mr. Reid made known to others wherever he went what God had done for him. Yielding himself unreservedly to Christ, be devoted himself to making known God's way of peace. -- "Twice-Born Men," hdm0617, by Hy Pickering

THE DEATH OF AN ATHEISTIC FRIEND AWAKENED JUDSON

THE DEATH OF AN ATHEISTIC FRIEND AWAKENED JUDSON

Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to India, Burma, etc., has an interesting story.

At the age of sixteen he formed an intimacy with a young man, E_____, a free-thinker, engaged in amusements of a questionable kind, and before deciding on his future course in life left home with the intention of making a tour through some of the northern states of his native land. Before setting out he had told his father of his infidel sentiments, and had been severely condemned by him.

His father's arguments he could repel, but his mother's tears and warnings, appealing to a nature, though proud, still tender and susceptible, made an impression which it was impossible to shake off.

"I am in no danger," he thought to himself. "I am only seeing the world -- the dark side of it, as well as the bright; and I have too much self-respect to do anything mean or vicious."

Happily for Judson, at this critical period he stopped at a country inn. The landlord mentioned, as he lighted him to his room, that he had been obliged to place him next door to a young man who was exceedingly ill, probably in a dying state, but he hoped that it would occasion him no uneasiness. Judson assured him that, beyond pity for the poor sick man, he should have no feeling whatever, and that now, having heard of the circumstance, his pity would not, of course, be increased by the nearness of the object. But it was, nevertheless, a very restless night. Sounds came from the sick chamber -- sometimes the movements of the watchers, sometimes the groans of

the sufferer; but it was not these which disturbed him. He thought of what the landlord had said -- the stranger was probably in a dying state; and was he prepared? Alone, and in the dead of night, he felt a blush of shame steal over him at the question, for it proved the shallowness of his philosophy. What would the clear-minded intellectual, witty E____ (the talented, but deistical young man alluded to before) say to such weakness? But still his thoughts would revert to the sick man. Was he a Christian, calm and strong in the hope of a glorious immortality, or was he shuddering upon the brink of a dark, unknown future?

"Perhaps he was a 'free-thinker,' educated by Christian parents and prayed over by a Christian mother. The landlord had described him as a young man; and in imagination he was forced to place himself upon the dying bed, though he strove with all his might against it. As soon as he had risen he went in search of the landlord, and inquired for his fellow-lodger. 'He is dead,' was the reply. 'Dead!' 'Yes, he is gone, poor fellow!' 'Do you know who he was?' 'Oh, yes; it was a young man from Providence College -- a very fine fellow, his name was E____.'"

Judson was completely stunned -- it was his atheistic friend! After hours had passed, he knew not how, he attempted to pursue his journey. But one single thought occupied his mind; and the words, 'Dead!' 'Lost!' 'Lost!' were continually ringing in his ears. He knew the religion of the Bible to be true; he felt its truth, and he was in despair. In this state of mind he resolved to abandon his scheme of traveling, and at once turned his horse's head towards Plymouth.

From that hour his life, outwardly and inwardly, became changed. All his plans for the future were reversed. The dreams of literary distinction were renounced, and the one great question which he put to himself now was, "How shall I so order my future being as best to please God?" -- "Twice-Born Men," hdm0617, by Hy Pickering

AN ATHEIST CONVERTED AFTER "SOMEBODY" ANSWERED PRAYER

AN ATHEIST CONVERTED AFTER "SOMEBODY" ANSWERED PRAYER

How the devil fought in those early days, but God gave gracious victories! Miss Archer tells of one trial that turned to blessing. "We cooked on a little oil stove and used coal oil lamps. Fall was coming. We had to have heat for our buildings. A well driller was contacted to come to clean out an old gas well. He came with very little equipment and no faith in God. He worked a while, then told us there wasn't any gas left in the well. We prayed. God assured us we would get gas. The driller worked a while longer, then quit. Mr. Swauger begged him to let the bailer down one more time. Suddenly there was an explosion. The pressure blew all the remaining debris out of the well. We had gas. The atheistic driller said, 'I don't know if there is a God or not, but somebody is surely answering those people's prayers.' Later he became ill. He called for the Bible school men to come to pray with him. He was gloriously saved." -- "The Mountain Shall Be Thine," hdm0130, by Lela McConnell

HOW C. A. MCCONNELL WAS SAVED OUT OF ATHEISM

HOW C. A. MCCONNELL WAS SAVED OUT OF ATHEISM

Carrie had been reared as a High Church Episcopalian, and I was a confirmed atheist. We lived respectable, so-called moral lives, enjoying the pleasures of the world, having no contact with God. My nearly fourscore and ten years have dimmed my memory, and, too, the days about which I shall write were so filled with dark confusion, that possibly I may "fill in" to complete the story; but the essential truth will be told.

I do not remember, if ever I knew, how Carrie became a Christian; but that high courage she showed during our pioneer days was hers as she faced her atheist husband and confessed that she had become a follower of Jesus. Then she said, "Charlie, do you want your children to grow up to be atheists like you and your old father?" I had not been thinking of my children in relation to religion, and something struck me. "No," I replied, "There is no joy in atheism, no hope. I wish there were something else, but there is nothing else true." She said, "I want my children to become Christians." That was a blow to my attitude of years, but I managed to say, "Well, if that is what you want, I'll not put anything in your way." But Carrie had won only the first skirmish. "If the children are to become Christians, they must have a Christian home." "What do you mean," I replied, "by a Christian home?" "A Christian home has a family altar," she replied. That was the first time I had ever heard that expression. "I mean," she continued "the family gathers together everyday to read the Bible and pray." My anger (and perhaps fear) was stirred. "I don't believe in your Bible, and as far as what you call praying-talking up into the air to someone who isn't there that's all bunk." "You can read, can't you?" "Sure I can read." "Then you read, and I'll pray." She put the little ones on their chairs and brought me the Book, opened at the chapter I should read. Somehow that was the most difficult reading I had ever done. Then the mother had the little ones kneel at her side, with closed eyes, while she prayed-for the first time, so far as I had ever known. She prayed that the children might become real Christians, and she prayed for her husband-not at him; there is a difference. By the time the children were on their feet, I had grabbed my hat and was out of the house. That was that! She had her family altar, and her children were Christians. No more bother for me! But the next day there was the same procedure, and the next day and the next. I got sick, though the doctor could find nothing the matter with me. I know now what was the trouble. I know what David meant when he said, "The sorrows of hell gat hold upon me." The Holy Spirit was striving to break through the granite hardness of my wicked heart. I do not know the number of days, or weeks, I struggled in that horrible darkness. But one day I said to myself, "This thing has got to end. If there be a God, and the Bible is His book, it will reveal itself as true. I will search through it honestly and come to my own conclusion."

I believe that no one who will study the Book as faithfully as I did at that time will fail, finally, to acknowledge as I did, "There is a God. He created me. I am responsible to Him, and I am a rebel against His holy law. I can in no wise free myself; but a Saviour is revealed in Jesus of Nazareth, who made ample proof of himself, as not only the Son of Man, but also as the Son of God." My reason was convinced, but I knew not the way of salvation. Finally, I said that I would take the Bible as my guide, and do everything a Christian should do, even if I should never find salvation. Of course it was not long before the light broke through, and I knew myself accepted with God. -- "The Potter's Vessel," hdm0191, by C. A. McConnell

STALIN'S DAUGHTER COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT GOD

STALIN'S DAUGHTER COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT GOD

Joseph Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Aliluyeva, is a living illustration of God's universal faithfulness to every soul. Born in an atheist's home, she testifies to the fact that the reality of a living God cannot be obliterated from the conscience or consciousness of one raised apart from God's word and in a home where one is taught to be an atheist and materialist. In the book, Svetlana, the Story of Stalin's Daughter, by Martin Ebon, on page 163 Svetlana is quoted as saying "Since my childhood I have been taught communism, and I believed in it, as we all did, my generation . . . I was brought up in a family where there was never any talk about God. But when I became a grown-up person, I found that it was impossible to exist without God in one's heart. I came to that conclusion myself, without anybody's help or preaching. But that was a great change, because, since that moment, the main dogmas of communism lost their significance for me." In another statement in her book, Twenty Letters to a Friend, page 72 , she states, "I, who'd been taught from earliest childhood by society and my family to be an atheist and materialist, was already one of those who cannot live without God. I am glad that it is so." -- "The Cornerstone of Living," hdm0303, by I. Parker Maxey

ATHEISTS DISREGARD CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF CHRIST'S DEITY

ATHEISTS DISREGARD CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF CHRIST'S DEITY

In the book Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell states, "The evidence proving the deity of Jesus Christ [and I would add, the genuineness and authenticity of the Bible as the Word of God], is overwhelmingly conclusive to any honest, objective seeker after truth. However, not all not even the majority -- of those to whom I have spoken have accepted Him as their Saviour and Lord. This is not because they were unable to believe -- they were simply unwilling to believe! For example, a brilliant but confused psychiatrist . . . frankly confessed to me that he had never been willing to honestly consider the claims of Christ in his own life for fear that he would be convinced and, as a result, would have to change his way of life. Other well-known professing atheists, including Aldous Huxley and Bertrand Russell, have refused to come to intellectual grips with basic historical facts concerning the birth, life, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Those who have, such as C. S. Lewis and C. E. M. Joad, have found the evidence so convincing that they have accepted the verdict that Jesus Christ is truly who He claimed to be and who others have believed Him to be the Son of God and their own Saviour and Lord." -- "Man's Ascent to God," hdm0127, by I. Parker Maxey

Lesson Ten of the Quarter: A Call to Labor

 Toda's lesson comes from Nehemiah 2: 4-13; 17, 18. Four months had passed since Nehemiah first heard about the conditions of the home land. He had spent long hours in payer seeking God's leadership and yo obtain God's favor. As Nehemiah did his work before the king, his sad countenance was noticed by the king. No sadness was allowed in the king's presence (Esther 4:2), but Nehemiah could not hide the sorrow of his heart. He told the king his grief, "The city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire."

The first section is "Requests Granted." vv. 4-8 After hearing the cause of Nehemiah's sadness, the king asked, "For what dost thou make request?" Nehemiah said a short mental prayer and stated, "If it please the king...that wouldest send me to Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it."  Short mental prayers are effective if there has been extended periods of prayer prior. We should never allow our prayer life to be limited to short mental prayers. 

The king asked some questions and Nehemiah had the answers ready. No doubt the time spent in prayer had prepared him for this moment. Some believe that Nehemiah suggested a year for his absence and later requested an extension. WE know that Nehemiah became governor of Judah for a period of twelve years. 

Nehemiah requested letters from the king for two purposes. First, the letter would guarantee safe passage until he arrived in Judah. Second, the letter was to secure the necessary building materials for the reconstruction. Nehemiah had three projects in mind: construction of the palace, i.e. a fortress for the temple area,  the wall of the city. and the actual temple area. The king granted all of Nehemiah's requests. Nehemiah took no credit for himself and with the psalmist he could say, "this is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118: 23)

The summary points for this section are:

1. Short mental prayers are no substitute for a consistent prayer life.

2. Always take your requests to God before man.

3. All credit for our blessings go to God.

The second section is "Opposition Identified." vv. 9, 10 As Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem, he delivered the king's letters to the governors on his route. Sanballat the Horonite was governor of Samaria. He became very upset when he read the letters from the king. His friend, Tobiah the Ammonite was extremely grieved. These two men would become the chief opposition to Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. They waned the Jews to remain a reproach, their cities without walls and defenseless. 

The summary points for this section are:

1. When you are doing God's will, there will always be opposition.

2. Though you may not see it, God will provide protection.

3. Those that oppose God's plan know that ultimately they will be defeated.

The third section is "Ruins Inspected." vv. 11-13 When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem after his long trip, he rested three days. However, he was still active. He was laying the plans for the work ahead. He was meeting with different people including civic leaders and spiritual leaders. After the three days, he made an inspection of the ruins. This was a time of careful contemplation. He was surveying the situation and making plans to be able to successfully complete his mission.

Nehemiah began at the Valley Gate on the southwestern side of the city. He then proceeded southward to the dung gate where the refuse of the city was brought. Next, he traveled up the Kidron Valley and passed the temple mount. Finally, he crossed the northern end of the city and down the western side back to the Valley Gate. He viewed the entire project so he could effectively complete his planning. While Nehemiah appeared well organized and an efficient planner, he said, "nether told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem." It was God who had planted the desire in Nehemiah and God was leading him.

The summary points for this section are:

1. Before beginning a project for the Lord, always sit down and count the costs before beginning.

2. Knowing that a project is God's will does not eliminate the need for careful planning. 

3. Where God guides, He will supply.

The fourth section is "Workers Enlisted." vv. 17, 18 After reviewing the ruins, and laying out his plans, Nehemiah called the people together. First, he wanted to stress the need (v. 17). Then, he enlisted their participation (v. 17). Nehemiah assured them that the rebuilding of the wall was not merely his idea. God had protected him on the journey, given him wisdom and He had provided the materials for the project to be completed. Having heard such words of assurance, the people responded enthusiastically, "Let us rise up and build." The people and leaders took hope and encouraged each other. (v. 18) 

The summary points for this section are:

1. God wants His people to build a strong church to resist the enemy.

2. Leaders that follow God's direction will inspire the people.

3. We are to inspire each other to build God's kingdom. It is a group effort.

The Golden Text is: "Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem." (New. 2: 17) There is a message for us today, especially today given the attack on the church. We need to build walls around the church. The wall consists of faith and good works. As we walk in faith and are true to the Word of God, the church will be safe from harm. False prophets and teachers will be kept at bay. Satan will find no opening to infiltrate God's Word, provided we remain true to His Word. Let us be faithful to build the wall in front of us. That would be our home, our church and our community.

Next week, "Threatened but Determined." Nehemiah 4: 1-14