that if His scattered people should turn to their God in humble repentance, He would gather them home to Canaan again, and enrich them there with manifold blessings. That these promises might be fulfilled, he supplicated from heaven favour in the eyes of his earthly master, so that the king might heartily assist in the promotion of the scheme which he had been meditating-the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the carrying through of other plans for restoring the prosperity of the Jewish nation.

It is worthy of special notice that the flame of Nehemiah's devotion to the Lord burned brightly, while surrounded by much that was calculated to quench heavenly aspirations. Dwelling in a heathen country, his lot was cast amidst the temptations of a luxurious court. His duties too were of a very important character, and must have largely engrossed his time and attention. To forget in such circumstances the God of his fathers had not been difficult; but he was kept by the power of Him to whom he continually looked for preservation. His position he could not abandon, for he felt that Providence had placed him in it; but the allurements to evil to which he was exposed caused him to cling only the more closely to the arm of the Almighty.

Are any of my readers in situations where the calls of duty are go unceasing as to distract the mind, or where ungodly associates are ever trying to entice the heart from its allegiance to the Lord Jesus? Let them appeal constantly to Him who knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. The more that earthly cares press upo. us, the more that worldly-minded neighbours endeavour to draw us from the Saviour's side, let us cry the more earnestly to Him who is able to save. Every attempt to draw us away from the Rock of our salvation should be the occasion of an errand to the throne of grace. As we entreat for preservation, either we shall be removed from our dangerous position, or strengthened to bear up against every attack; or mayhap, in answer to our supplication, those who were wont to scoff shall begin to pray.

True Christians are always concerned about their country's welfare, but still more for the prosperity and advancement of the Kingdom of the Redeemer. In the time of Nehemiah, the Jews formed the visible Church of God; and in seeking a blessing upon Jerusalem, the cup-bearer of Artaxerxes was at once a true patriot, and a sincere follower of Jehovah. The Church in our days embraces all who in every land call on the name of Jesus; and those who love the Master are peculiarly anxious that the whole earth should be brought to submit to His sway. Their concern for the salvation of men Embraces all kindreds, and peoples, and tongues; but it forgets not he home circle.

Over those nearest and dearest to them by nature,

their hearts yearn with peculiar solicitude; and they cannot be at ease, till their beloved have come to trust under the wings of the Lord God of Israel.

A delicate widow, who was a devoted follower of the Lamb, had lived to the age of sixty without seeing even one of her six daughters converted. Two of them lived with their husbands, and the remaining four, being unmarried, still resided under their mother's roof. Her heart was very sad because of their want of piety. In those things which were most attractive to her, the young women took no interest whatever. Never did she cease to pray that the Lord would bring them to Himself, but for years no answer was vouchsafed. Still did she plead for them; the more earnestly, indeed, because a gracious response to her supplications was so long delayed. At length a season of religious revival visited the town where she dwelt. Her four unmarried daughters were among the first to yield to the Saviour's call; and one of those married came also speedily to Jesus. The remaining daughter, the eldest of the family-held out for a time. Unknown to her, the mother and the five sisters, now born from above, united in a day of fasting and prayer on her behalf. While thus engaged for her at the throne of grace, she was, in her somewhat distant home, busy with her domestic concerns. Suddenly she was arrested by a deep conviction of her ungodliness and sin. She too began to cry for mercy; and ere long she was found sitting with the rest at the feet of the Redeemer.

Have we no unconverted relatives or friends for whom we should pray? Are there none in our circle utterly indifferent to the call of God-none careless-none lukewarm?

It was about the end of November when Nehemiah began to pray, and the answer came not till the month of March. "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." Perhaps it was something of this kind of sadness which caused him to look so dispirited one day in the royal presence. It was a private family meal during which he was at the time in waiting, for the Queen was present. Observing his downcast look, the King asked what ailed him? In reply, the simple truth was told that he could not but be sorrowful when the place of his fathers' sepulchres lay waste, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. "For what dost thou make request?" said the monarch. Now was the trying moment. He was about to make a large demand on his master's generosity, to ask what, he feared, would scarcely be granted. Before opening his lips to answer, he sent from his inmost soul, unheard by mortal ear, a short, sharp cry to Jehovah that He might favourably influence the royal mind. It

took but an instant to do this, and then he presented his petition to Artaxerxes. His prayer was that he might himself be sent to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and to repair her desolations. All he wished. was cordially granted. The Lord disposed the heart of the monarch of Persia to give his cup-bearer sufficient leave of absence to accomplish his plans. Royal letters to all the district governors on the road ordered them to forward the new Commissioner to Judea ; while a mandate to the keeper of the King's forest, directed all necessary timber to be supplied for the repairing of the temple, for the upbuilding of the city walls, and for the erection of its gates, as well as for the house to be occupied by the Governor himself.

"Lord, save me," cried Peter, when sinking amidst the tossing waves; and immediately he was caught by the Saviour's hand. "Lord, remember me," petitioned the dying thief, and instantly came a response of mercy, which carried him joyfully through his expiring hours. Though in His human nature on the throne of glory, the Saviour is in His Divine presence ever at hand to shield, or to rescue, or to bless His loving, trusting people. To Him therefore should they send up the short, sharp cry when it is required, and they shall not call in vain. Like Nehemiah, however, they will not neglect the offering of secret, solemn, and persevering prayer. The throne of grace is too precious to them to be visited only at brief and uncertain intervals. The soul that loves the Lord will find a place where it can commune privately with Him. In the busiest thoroughfare, or on a quiet country road,-in our sleeping apartment when the door is shut, or behind a stack in a farm yard, we may be often alone with God. And if at any time tempted to restrain prayer before Him, let us remember, for quickening and encouragement, the appeal of the Prince of peace to His people,-"O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the precipices, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy Countenance is comely." (Song ii. 14.)

Ezra had originally visited Jerusalem very much as a priest and scribe, to settle the ordinances of God's House, and instruct the people n God's law; but Nehemiah was more in the position of a civil governor. He did not therefore refuse the guard of soldiers which Decame his rank; and it was found very serviceable during the subsequent period, when the enemies of God were constantly threatenng to attack Jerusalem. Having taken a brief rest after his arrival n Judea, he set himself privately to examine the condition of its apital. During the night, probably when the moon was shining, he ode round it accompanied by a few of his followers. The walls he ound utterly destroyed, and the gates burned with fire. The

defences of the city were but one mass of ruins, little changed from the state in which they had been left by Nebuchadnezzar 140 years before. Exposed thus to every foe, it was no safe residence; and steps must be taken without delay to remedy the evil.

The priests and rulers with the other principal inhabitants were summoned to a meeting. To them Nehemiah appealed to unite in the rebuilding of the walls, so that they might no longer be a reproach because of their defenceless condition. For encouragement, he told them of the commands of the king to proceed with the work, and of the grant of timber out of the royal forest for beams and gates.— His speech met a hearty response. "Let us rise up and build," was the unanimous voice of the assembly; and immediate steps were taken to begin the work.

This resolute action was laughed to scorn by leading men among the heathen in the neighbouring territories. Of Nehemiah's coming they had already been informed; and it had grieved them to the heart that any one should seek the good of God's professing people. They had even the audacity to declare that the movement to erect the walls of Jerusalem was rebellion against the ruler of Persia; but Nehemiah, strong in the consciousness of right, spoke out boldly and said, "The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem."

God's work always finds opponents. The individuals, whom Satan and their own evil hearts now prompted to this wicked behaviour, are duly registered here by name to their eternal disgrace. Sanballat seems to have been a Moabite of Horonaim. Tobiah was of Ammonitish origin, and had been a slave. Geshem was a descendant of Ishmael. The Persian rule extended over the countries to which these men belonged; and it appears that each of them held some post, under the Persian government, in the district of Samaria, or the country to the east of Jordan. Hating Jehovah and His cause, it vexed them to see Jerusalem beginning to thrive. The same bitter enmity against godliness is still widely manifest in the world; but let the Christian follow Nehemiah's example, and encouraging himself in God, pursue with quiet resolution his work for the Master.

The

In the third chapter, lists of the chief builders are furnished. party of the high priest is first named, and well it is when God's ministers preach by their deeds as well as words. A number of Jews from outlying places volunteered their assistance. The men of Jericho and Tekoa, for example, occupied this honourable position; but it is particularly noted that the nobles of Tekoa gave no assistance" to the work of their Lord." How many such shabby genteel professors st

disgrace by their presence the assemblies of God's people! Not a few wrought at the wall opposite their own doors, patriotism and personal benefit being thus not improperly united. "If every one," says Matthew Henry in his own quaint style,-"If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall all be mended." Most honourable mention is made of the daughters of Shallum. He was ruler of the half of Jerusalem; and though his daughters thus belonged to the higher class of society, and could therefore have easily excused themselves, they considered it a distinction to help their father with all their might in accomplishing his share of the labour. Perhaps they carried stones and mortar to the actual builders, if they did not themselves use the hammer and the trowel. In any case, their self-denying exertions have secured them, like Mary of Bethany, a prominent position in the record of heaven; and wheresoever, in the whole world, the word of God is received, there is set up this memorial of the devotion of these young

women.

To many it seems as if they had no such opportunity and means of distinguishing themselves on the Lord's side; and because they can do little, they are apt to do nothing at all. It ought, however, to be remembered that we shall never be judged by the talents and circumstances of others, but by our employment of what has been conferred upon ourselves. It is the heart to which Jehovah looks. No nobler commendation was ever bestowed by the Saviour than on the poor widow who contributed only two mites to the temple treasury; and even one little stone, dug by our prayers and pains out of the quarry of nature, and laid on the Rock Christ as a contribution to the walls of His Temple, shall shine eternally there to our unfading honour and joy. Happy are all of whom it can be said, "They have lone what they could."

As the fortifications of Jerusalem were rapidly advancing towards completion, the enemies already referred to were exceedingly angry. Their wrath found vent in scornful sneers. These, if not spoken in he hearing of the builders, were at least reported to Nehemiah. illed with the spirit of prophecy, he besought the judgment of heaven pon them, for their contemptuous reproaches of the work of the ord. This is not an example for us, for we are not prophets. Our reat exemplar is the Lord Jesus. Copying Him, we should pray for ur enemies, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what hey do."

From cruel jibes, Sanballat and his companions soon advanced to hore determined efforts, for the purpose of constraining the Jews to top their operations. They resolved to unite their forces, and attack