November, 1935
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
418
The trooper’s eyes popped, and for a moment his voice stuck in his throat» Then he burst out: “ Boss, it ain’t fitten fer you to dig no trench fer me. If one’s got to be dug, I’ll jest naterally do it myse’f. I’m dog tired, but diggin’ trenches ain’t no work for a gineral.” “I know it,” Wheeler returned pleasant ly- ■•• “Don’t you worry none erbout m e; 1 11 ’rassle a trench somehow,” the trooper said. “ Good,” commended the general, and he offered his hand to seal the compact. “ Now,” he said to Hood, “go fetch me another man who thinks he can’t dig.” The adjutant saluted and turned away with eyes that gleamed in merry apprecia tion. He did not return, but when the Spaniards opened fire the next morning, the Rough Riders were safely sheltered in their trenches.— The Target, in Pearls for Preachers, by Hart. When Friends Work Together N ehem iah 4:6-21 Memory Verse: “W ork: for I am with you, saith the Lord” (Hag. 2:4). Approach: About twelve years after Ezra led his friends back to the city of Jerusalem to take gifts to the temple, an he seemed happy; but one day he looked very sad. Even the king noticed it and asked what was the matter. Now Nehemiah had just heard from friends who had been to Jerusalem that the city wall was all broken down and that the big wooden gates had been burned up so that the enemies in the surrounding country kept coming in and disturbing the people. Nehemiah wished so much that he could help the people in Jerusalem. He knew that the best thing to do was to pray to God about it. First, Nehemiah told God how sorry he was that his people had sinned against Him, and then he reminded God that He had promised to help those who were sorry for their sins. And now the king was asking Nehemiah what was the matter. Because Nehemiah had prayed about it, he was not afraid to tell the king the trouble. Nehemiah even asked whether he might go back to Jerusa lem and build up the walls. And the king said he might. Nehemiah returned and the building o f the walls began. It wasn’t easy work. The people all had to work together. Different families built up the wall near their own homes. Some worked, and some stood ready to fight the enemy. Many times they grew discouraged; but they were not afraid to work hard, and they had prayed to God to help them. At last the work was finished, and the people could rest. They were very glad that the wall was finished. Now they could live in peace and worship in peace. And that is just what they did. They stopped working and celebrated and sang praises to God, “ for he is good.” i n other man in this same far-away coun try led some more o f these same Jewish people back to their own country. It hap pened this way. L e s s o n S t o r y : Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer, and usually as he stood beh ind the k in g ready to serve him,
Points and Problems 1. The Nehemiah who led the Jews in rebuilding their city should not be con fused with two other persons of the same name mentioned in Ezra 2 :2 and Nehemiah 3:16 respectively. The Nehemiah o f this lesson must have been a remarkable man, for as a member of a captive and despised race he had managed to rise to the high office of “cupbearer” to Artaxerxes who reigned for forty years over the vast Persian Empire. It would be difficult to overestimate the position of the “cup bearer” o f an ancient Oriental monarch. Its importance did not consist so much in any governmental portfolio as in the fact that the holder was a favorite who was trusted and had access to the ear of the king. He tasted the wine to see that it was not poisoned, and was even allowed admittance to the king’s chambers when the queen was present (Neh. 2 :6 ). Even in modern America we can cite parallels. Consider, for example, some of the men without any governmental position whatsoever who have, been the closest advisers of our Presi dents. 2. “All the wall was joined, together unto the half thereof’ (4 :6 ). The meaning is that the various parties working on differ ent sections o f the wall had brought these sections together so that the wall o f the city was now continuous laterally, although only half as high as it had been planned. This seeming unimportant detail shows Nehemiah to be a careful leader. For immediate purposes o f defense, a low but continuous wall would be better than a high wall with uncompleted breaks. 3. “We made our prayer unto our God” and also -“ set a watch” (4 :9) is a fine example o f how the Bible writers bring together two a p p a r e n tly irreconcilable truths, namely, divine sovereignty and hu man responsibility. Both are taught as facts without any attempt to reconcile them rationally,; “Work out your own sal vation . . . for it is God which worketh” (Phil. 2:12, 13) is the New Testament classic example. Let us teach both truths without apology or fear. Golden Text Illustration When the American line had fought its way to thé top of the hills in the Santiago campaign during the Spanish-American War, General Wheeler issued an order that every command should throw up trenches. He himself was almost too tired to stand, and he dropped down upon his cot for a few moments’ rest. Here Adju tant Hood o f the Rough Riders found him. “ General,” he said, “ our men are played out. They threw away most of their trench tools in the fierce rifle charge this morning, and they swear that they simply cannot dig a single trench!” Promptly General Wheeler sat up and began pulling on his boots, but his lips were smiling and there was a twinkle in his eyes. “Just fetch me a man who says he can’t dig,” he ordered imperturbably. Hood was nonplussed, but he turned away, and presently came back with a stalwart Negro trooper whom he had managed to round up. “Are you the man who says he can’t dig a trench to save his own life?” the general asked quietly. “ I—er—I’se one o f ’em, boss, but—” The general stopped him. “ I should hate to lose a hearty man o f your caliber,” he said gently. “Go back to bed, my man, and sleep in peace. I’ll just go and dig your trench for you. Where’s your pick?”
The Writer of “ THE OLD RUGGED CROSS ” Asks — Are you looking for a song booklet contain ing the ten most popular hymns, as deter mined from the Seth Parker contest con ducted by N. B. C., Rev. George Bennard’s newest numbers and many other outstand ing songs? Your search is over. We have it in REVIVAL CLASSICS just re cently off the press. 74 selected songs and hymns. 15c per copy, 25 or more copies at $10 per 100, not prepaid. Also remember our general purpose book FULL REDEMP TION SONGS, 25c in manila, $17.50 per 100; 35c in cloth, $27.50 per 100, not pre paid. Send all orders to
BENNARD MUSIC COMPANY Main Office, Albion, Michigan Western Address: Hermosa Beach, Calif.
, S T A R W A R D , By Louise Harrison McCraw Makes a Christmas gift of infinite value ! Blue Cloth, 50 cents
Garrett & Massie
•
Richmond, Va.
“Up In God’s Stratosphere” New, beautiful soul-winning song with music; also words of “ Sin-cleansing Fountain" and “ Carry me back to Calvary." Order from composer: 10c copy; 75c dozen; 5c 100 lots. M IS S M A Y KING , Salvation Army Camp, Redondo Beach, California. ▼ T T ""T T T T "T T ▼ T ▼ W'"W C H R I S T I A N G R E E T I N G C A R D S For Sale or for Personal Use PV Tn. " H C H R IS T M A S G R E E T IN G S— New, At- EXTRA tractive, with worthwhile sentiments, many with Bible Texts,—in great va- rlety oi artistic settings,—the type of Greeting Christian people are looking for. E V ER Y D A Y Greetings,— comforting encouraging messages of cheer to the sick and sorrowing. Birthday, etc.—many with Bible Texts. Cards that are different—not found in stores—Boxed and Unboxed—good profit, no investment necessary. Write early for free Catalog and attractive Sale Flans. PEASE GREETING CARDS, INC. 260 Laurel Street Dept. K Buffalo, N. Y. SETH ALLEN’S BIBLE The story of an orphan boy who wanted his own copy of the Bible and who set about to get it. How he earned that Book and how that Book transformed the life of his “ adopted" mother is interestingly told. Six copies by mail, postage paid 10 cents. Also cir culars concerning our other publications. Order at once. W IL L IA M PO RTER T O W N S E N D , Publisher Lock Box 253 Plainfield, New Jersey OBJECT LESSONS OBJECTS— AND THEIR LESSONS. SEND ten cents for object lesson and list. Chas. Mor rison. The Object Man. Pastor. Fairmount Park Chapel. 76 Hudson St.. Johnson City. N.Y. Chemical Illustrations of BIBLE TRUTHS IMPRESSIVB TALKS TO YOUNG PEOPLE Prepared powders, harmless, ready to_ use. With directions and interesting helps. Believing— Temperance—Contact— Influencee— The Cigarette — Decision Day—Christ and Sin— Christ in Heart. ' Eight talb (with duplicate let) $1.00 Postpaid C. A. SCHMITT, 85 Summer Ave., Reading,Mass. The proceeds of the above ad will be applied toward the maintenance of the Bible Institute of Lot Angeles. EASJ. ly EA R N E D
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs