1. The leadership of the liberated captives on their return journey to Palestine. What qualities this demanded - command, courage, patience, cheerfulness, etc., should be fully illustrated.

2. The erection of a new temple from the ruins of that of Solomon, and the restoration of the Mosaic ritual and worship. In this he was aided by Joshua, the high priest. Show what further qualities were demanded by this work - power to inspire others, personal godliness, an enkindling enthusiasm, and, in view of the efforts of the Samaritans, firmness, unswerving loyalty to God, and a holy jealousy that permitted no compromises in religion.

3. The establishment of a national and governmental order among the people. This was the work for which he probably had hereditary genius; and his position and authority, as the Persian Sheshbazzar, enabled him effectively to carry out his schemes. In him may be illustrated the threefold truth:

(1) that circumstances call forth the best that is in men;

(2) that men may to a large extent mould their circumstances; and

(3) that God is ever ready to give his grace and strength, unto the best success, to every man who sincerely wishes to be found faithful. - R.T.

I. OUR KING HAS MANY KINDS OF SERVANTS.

1. Soldiers. It is their duty to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

2. Watchmen.

3. Heralds.

4. Scribes.

5. Musicians.

6. Potters.These may supply a very good emblem of Sunday school teachers. The potters take the clay while it is pliable and soft, and put it on the wheel and make the wheel revolve, and then with thumb and finger fashion the clay as it revolves before them. If ever at any time the human mind is plastic it is while the child is young.

7. Gardeners.This is just what a Sunday school teacher should be. He tries to get the plants out from the wild waste and bring them into the "garden walled around." He knows that the Church is the garden of the Lord and he longs to plant many little slips in it.

II. ALL WHO LIVE WITH OUR KING MUST WORK. I have thought that some of our Church members imagined that the cause of Christ was a coach, and that they were to ride on it, and that they would prefer the box-seat, or else a very comfortable seat in the middle of the coach. But all who live with our King must work.

1. Because He works.

2. Because His company always inspires us with the desire to do something for Him.

3. Because there is so much to do that you cannot help doing something.

III. THOSE THAT WORK FOR OUR KING OUGHT TO LIVE WITH HIM.

1. That they may gather strength. In the old fable, when Hercules fought with the giant he could not kill him. He flung him down with all his might, but every time the giant got up stronger than before. The old fable said that the earth was the giant's mother, and every time that he fell he touched her and got new strength from her. So every time a Christian falls on his knees — draws near to God — he gets new strength.

2. To keep up their enthusiasm.

3. That they may be inspired with courage.

4. If they would cultivate the soft grace of patience.

IV. THAT WHICH SHOULD RECONCILE US TO ANY WORK IS, THAT WE ARE WORKING FOR THE KING.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)