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August 6. 1913.
A KA.MILY PAPER.
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The
Covenanter Pttlpit
A Sermon
By the llev. S. J. Johnston*
Subject:
44
T h e Courage
of
Nehemiah ^^
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We wish to speak on the subject of Moral
Courage.
need of the present day.
To our mind, it is the great
Generally speaking,
we know wben to say "no" and "yes,"
but too frequently we have not the courage
to say it. Some of us are too easily cowed
by ithose who do not agree with us. Although
not moved from our position at once,
yet we are induced to keep quiet, wbich only
prepares the way.
The text chosen for consideration presents
the courage of Nehemiah. To the
proposition submitted by Shemaiah, be replied,
"Should such a man as I flee?" How
inconsiistent the course proposed whien placed
alongside of Nehemiah's manner of life.
Emphasis should be laid on the expression,
"Such a man as I am." It is the explanatory
part of the text and holds the key to the situition.
Speaking of the Courage of Nehemiah,
note:—
I. That he was engaged in a difficult
task.
Certainly this fact served to put his courage
to the test. Hearing an Persia that has
people in Jerusalem were greatly despised,
and the walls of the city in ruins, be was
sorely depressed. "In all their afflictions he
was afflicted." Having secured permission
of the king to return, a few months later,
while sitanding in Jerusalem, he found it so
as his brethren had said. Not only had the
walls'to 'be rebuilt, but the people inspired
to do it. One with less perseverance than
Nehemiah would bave given up in despair.
Courage and hardship go band in hand.
There is nothing easy about ithe Christian
life. Those who represent it in any otber
%ht are mistaken. Listen to wihat Jesus
said, "If any man will come after me let him
deny himself and take up bis cross and follow
me." Again, "In tbe world ye shall
feve itribulatiion; but be of good cheer; I
'have overcome the world." O'ftentimes we
speak of the missionary's life as one of hardship.
That is true whether we bave in
mind home or foreign work. But bave you
«ver thoughit that there is a certain hardship
inseparably connected with membership in the
*Pastor, Covenanuer Church, New Castle, Pa.
"And I said, shoidd such a man as I flee?"—Nehemiah 6:ii.
Covenanter Church?
making our position more distinctive and demanding
greater courage.
Speaking of the Courage of Nehemiah,
note:—
Having been recently converted, a Pullman
Conductor undertook to address a body
of men. He used the language of the railroad.
After explaiining die difference* be­
3. That he was surrounded by God's
tween a day coach and a parlor car, be urged enemies. When Sanballat, Geshem, Tobiah
all the unconverted in tbe audience to come and others heard of Nehemiah's arrival in
forward and secure at once a seat in the the city, they were sorely displeased. At
Christian's parlor car. Otber churches, once tbey began to oppose bim. They tried to
brethren, may have such a seat for the sinner,
laugh him out of his position. Unsuccessful
but not so of the Covenanter church. in that, they tried craft, rumor, deception, and
Rather, what a difficult task confronts us. falsehood to accomphsh their purpose.
Speaking of the Courage of Nehemiah, Just here let us call your attention more
note:—
closely to these names. Sanballat is Syr­
2. That he was alone in the work. This fact ian and means, "moon giveth ligbt." Geshalso
served to put his courage to tbe test. em. is Plebrew and means "Stout." Tobiali
The burden of leadership rested entirely up- is Hebrew and means "Jehovah is good."
on bim. There was no one with whom he Shemaiah is Hebrew and means "Jehovah
could consult. He had to go it single handed.
has heard. Nobadiah is Hebrew and means
It fell to him alone to inspire and di­
"Whom Jehovah meets." The last four are
rect the people. Difficult as was his task, Hebrew and the last three have the name
yet it was made more so because he was Jehovah connected with them. This indicates
alone.
that tbey were godly names and bad
To be alone in any great work is a severe been given by godly parents. Evidently they
test of courage. It wais tbis feeling of loneli- had been born and reared in good Covenanter
ness which so depressed Elijah. Tq the Lord homes.
this was bis complaint, "The children of Which side of a certain reform a man will
Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown take cannot be ascertained by bis name. His
down thine altar, and slain the prophets with name is no indication as to how much grace
the sword; and I, even I, only am left, there is in his heart. His good name only
and they seek my life to take it away." It goes to exhibit the good intention of his
it easier to do what we see others doing. Had parents. All men with the name of John
Israel no inclination to be like the nations Knox, to be deserving of it, should be stronground
about, never would she have been ly opposed to all church corruption, but they
carried away into captivity.
are not. Tbe same might be said of Martin
Today as a churcb we are compelled to Luther and justification by faith, of John
stand alone for many of the truths of the Calvin and God's Sovereignty; of Jobn
'Bible. How many churches are willing to Guthrie, George Wishart, Donald Cargill,
stand by our side for the exclusive James Renwick and Richard Cameron and
nse of the Psalms an worship? Has not the the principles which we now hold as a church.
United Presbyterian Churcb virtually givien How inconsistent for Tobiah, Shemaiah and
up her time honored position upon this sub- Noadiah tO' be . found opposing Nehemiah,
ject? In the Christian Nation recently we and yet, friends, no more so than for a
read "The Basis of Union," better named,
however, "Terms of Surrender," which reveals
to us tbe drift of this sister church.
The same might be said of our posiition on
Instrumental Music, Secret Societies, and
Political D-issent. Where are the churches
today willing to stand with us upon these
rmestions so vital to church and national life?
Gradually they are slipping away, thus
Jobn Knox, or a James Guthrie or a Richard
Cameron to be found among those disparaging
the glorious mission of the Covenanter
Church. Let such men either give up
their names or get in line with the mission
of that churcb to which such names belong.
Speaking of -the Courage of Nehemiah.
note:—
4. That be was urged to flee to save