we must not overlook the duty of mutual co-operation. As we are fellow-heirs, so should we be fellow-helpers. As we are fellow-citizens, so should we be fellow-labourers in the kingdom of Christ. We must recognise the common interests of the Church. of Christ; and whatever name the builders may bear, and on whatever section of the wall they may be engaged, let them labour in concert, and live in love. Thus shall the work advance. Thus shall the living-stones, on the one sure foundation be multiplied; and in due time the top-stone shall be brought forth, and all that is meant by a perfected Church be realized.

'May it please Thee shortly to accomplish the number of Thy elect, and to hasten Thy kingdom.'

III. Let us glance at the effect which the completion of the work had on certain parties. And it came to pass that when our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.' The walls were up, and the gates restored; and in proportion to the success with which the undertaking had been crowned, was the sinking of heart experienced by those who secretly or openly had been against it. These found themselves in a humiliated position. All their efforts to stop the work had failed. Nehemiah was free and uninjured in person, and in reputation; and there, before the

eyes of all who cared to look, towered the walls of Jerusalem as in the days of old.

Ah! the hand of God was in this matter; and those who were evil-disposed towards the work, now saw and felt that such was the case. They were much cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.'

So marked, too, has been the progress of the Gospel here and there, that gainsayers have been confounded. Again and again men have been compelled to acknowledge the finger of God, in the triumphs which the religion of Jesus Christ has achieved; and we anticipate yet more glorious victories

'For not like kingdoms of the world,

Thy holy Church, O God!

Though earthquake shocks are threatʼning her,

And tempests are abroad,
Unshaken as eternal hills

Immovable she stands ;

A mountain that shall fill the earth,

A house not made with hands.'

To those who are Christ's, saved by Him, abiding in Him, we say, 'Work on; build.' 'Work,' writes Robertson, 'true work, done honestly and manfully for Christ, never can be a failure. Your own work, my brethren, which God has given you to do, whatever it is, let it be done truly. Leave eternity to show that it has not been in vain in the Lord. Let it be but work, it will tell.' Be your field of labour

what it may the pulpit, the home, the school, the sick-bed, the street, the warehouse-do the Master's bidding well and faithfully, and of Him shall be your reward.

Some present, we fear, cannot say, 'Christ is mine, my Saviour, my Peace, my Life, my All.'

You may know that this broad, massive, priceless foundation is laid. You may even be brought nigh to it; but unless you are on it, unless there be a vital bond of union between you and Christ, such as saving faith effects, His atoning merits will avail you not.

Rest on Christ. Build on this foundation according to the Scriptures, and it shall be well with you. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded' (1 Peter ii. 6).

VIII.

Placed in Trust.

'Charge over Jerusalem.'-NEH. vii. 2.

THE accomplishment of any great and praiseworthy undertaking must be a source of satisfaction to its promoters. Such satisfaction Nehemiah surely felt when the ravages of war had been repaired so far as the wall and gates of Jerusalem were concerned. How his heart would swell with gratitude to his God, through Whose good hand upon him the difficulties, more or less formidable, connected with the work had been overcome! And if mingled with this sense of satisfaction were a feeling of solicitude about the future of the city when he was no longer there to superintend its affairs, the apprehension thus caused would be lessened by the thought that he should leave behind him good substitutes in the persons of his brother and of Hananiah.

The interest of Nehemiah in the city of his fathers' sepulchres was not confined to the rebuilding of the wall, and the restoration of the gates. It extended to all things, great and small, that had to do with its welfare. It was an interest that did not

cease with his actual, or prospective return to Persia. He lived for Jerusalem. If he could not make it as populous and powerful as it once was, there should be nothing wanting on his part to render it at least a safe and well-ordered city.

The chapter before us tells us what he did in this direction. Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.'

I. We call attention to some of the appointments here referred to.

We need not stay to inquire what the duties of the porters, and the singers, and the Levites alluded to, were. It may suffice to say that the arrangement seems to indicate an endeavour 'to give a religious aspect to the work of defending Jerusalem.' The appointments we have in view were evidently to office of grave responsibility. Charge over Jerusalem' was the trust they involved. To whom was this charge committed, and on what principle was the selection made? Nehemiah's choice fell on two men, each closely allied to him: one of them by blood, and both of them in spirit.

In entrusting important office to his brother, Nehemiah, we take it, was influenced by higher