Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1911 — OLD TESTAMENT TIMES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES

THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE Daniel I, 18-20—Sept 10 "It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink vine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumhleth.’’—Roman* eiv, tl. HMONGST the earlier captives brought by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem some twenty years before Its destruction, were four young men of evidently boble birth and religious training, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These captives were not maltreated nor enslaved, In the ordinary sense of the term. Their intellectual qualities were discerned, and they were put into a superior school that they, with others, might be fitted to constitute a board of wise men, counselors of the king. So different Is all this from the nepotism, “graft” and “pool” of our day that It seems almost Incomprehensible. We may here learn a lesson of how God Is able to make even the disasters of life work out blessings for those who are truly loyal to Him, even as faithfu} Daniel and his companions Were blessed and prospered in the enetaies’ land. Advantages of Abstemiousness The young Hebrews were attached to the king’s household and were provided with extraordinary delicacies, Including spirituous liquors. The policy of the king In providing sumptuously for all the students was that, being well nourished, they might be In their best physical and mental condition. This lesson shows that it Is a mistake to suppose that high living la specially conducjye to intellectuality—not to mention spirituality. ■* , From the beginning, under God’s providence, the j deportment of Daniel brought him into special favor with the prince of the eunuchs, who had in charge the temporalities of these students. There is something in a meek and quiet spirit that is impressive; and as a rule such a spirit comes only from a proper, religious training. To

Daniel and Three Companions. this eunuch Daniel, and his associates through him, appealed, requesting *that Instead of the fine food and liquors provided they might have a plain vegetable diet Their request was granted. At the end of the period of their preparation, the king communed with the students “and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah: • * * and in every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them he found fhem ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in his realm.’’ The Secret of Daniel’s Success What was the secret of this wisdom and understanding? Did not the secret lie in the blessing of God and in the fact that these young men sought to devote their lives to the doing of the Divine will—to the doing of righteousness? Such minds anywhere, atiany time, are scarce. Such minds always bespeak wisdom. On the other hand, sensuality, selfishness, the grinding of personal axes, always becloud the judgment What we need today In every walk of life, Is consecrated men of the stamp of Daniel and his companions—whole hearted men—who will give their best for the service of their fellow men in whatever sphere their lives may be cast Dare to Be a Daniel

Although few of us today can be Daniels or have his high position and wonderful opportunity, and though few are leading spirits as was Daniel, yet all may have the same spirit of devotion to the principles of righteousness, which devotion will be tested, under Divine providence, step by step, through the “narrow Way,” as they seek to walk in the footsteps of Him who set us an example—our Daniel, our Leader.‘our Lord Jesus. Let all, then, who have named the named of Christ, depart from iniquity. Let all such be faithful. What is really needed is the Daniel spirit: and that is a possibility with every man ami every woman—young or old. “Dare to be a Daniel!” Alas! how few appreciate the privilege, how few are emulating the Daniel spirit! , Christians, throughout this Age, are in a position very similar to that of Daniel. The great King of Glory has them in the School of Christ. He wishes to select a few to be Joint-heirs in the Messianic Kingdom when it shall pe established. The test of examination will come in the end of this Age. Those who will then be found worthy will be such as have the Dariiel spirit of devotion to God and to the principles of righteousness—willingness to lay down their lives in the service of the truth—followers in the footsteps of Jesus. Of these the Lord speaks, saying. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord, in that Day when I make up My Jewels.”—Maiachi ill. 17.