_Now it came to pass, when Sanballat._ THE WITNESS TO THE TRUTH I. His trial, from the stratagems of enemies. The circumstances of his trial were peculiar. Faith and prayer and pains had now achieved great things in Jerusalem. For many days the patriots had persevered, with unremitting toil, to reb... [ Continue Reading ]
_A great work._ A GREAT WORK A story is told of an old man who rived long ago. A friend asked him the cause of his complaints, since in the evening he so often complained of great weariness and pain. “Alas,” answered he, “I have every day so much to do: I have two falcons to tame, two hares to keep... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gashmu saith it._ DETRACTION I. What is detraction? 1. In general it is an unjust violation of another’s reputation or that good report which is due to him. (1) It is a sin against God. (2) It is a wrong to man. (3) The causes it proceedeth from are-- (A) Malice and ill-will. (B) Uncharitab... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands._ GOD’S VARIOUS WAYS OF STRENGTHENING HIS PEOPLE’S HANDS He sometimes does it by infusing into them an extraordinary measure of wisdom and knowledge. Joseph and Daniel appear to have been thus enriched, the faculty of interpreting dreams being conferred up... [ Continue Reading ]
_Should such a man as I flee?_ PANIC I. PANIC. Unreasoning, helpless fright. 1. National panic. 2. Business panic. 3. Personal panic. 4. Spiritual panic, II. The effect of panic. All of these forms are commonly groundless; the wave is not so high as it seems to the retreating bather who hears... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore was he hired._ BRIBERY I. Its existence and varieties. 1. In statecraft. 2. In trade. 3. In morals and religion. II. Its effects. 1. Personal degradation. 2. General disorganisation. 3. Hindrance of all good. III. Its cure. 1. Self-denial. 2. Resolute unmercifulness to the bri... [ Continue Reading ]
_So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day. .. in fifty and two days._ FIFTY-TWO DAYS’ WORK Let us make a parable of the story and use the text as a motto of a deeper theme. Fifty-two Sundays and their work. I. How quickly they pass. II. What opportunities they furnish. 1. Of rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For they perceived that the work was wrought of our God._ THE CROWN OF CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE Christianity does not stand in any merely literary defence, although its literary defence is complete; it stands rather in its beneficent accomplishments, in its regenerated hearts, its elevated lives, its n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also they reported his good deeds before me._ THE BAD MEN PRAISED I. Bad men do get praised. 1. Sometimes this praise is real. 2. Sometimes this praise is mistaken. 3. Sometimes this praise is fictitious altogether. II. Bad men are anxious for praise. 1. In this there is a sentence of condem... [ Continue Reading ]